The city’s feature event to mark Black History Month is a gala honoring Elizabeth Ann Bridgwaters.
On Saturday, the city hosted a market for Black-owned businesses and makers. The market paid homage to the 1968 Black Market firebombing.
The city will read essays written by students in grades 4-12 at the Black History Month essay contest. Students will receive honors at 6 p.m. Feb. 20 at City Hall.
The African American Choral Ensemble will perform in a Black History Month concert, sponsored by the IU School of Education with support from the African American Arts Institute. The concert is open to the public and will be from 11:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. Feb. 21 at the School of Education.
The John Waldron Arts Center will show the film The Bright Path: The Johnny Bright Story. The movie highlights the football career of record-breaking player Johnny Bright. The free screening will take place at 6 p.m. Feb. 22. The film was produced by IU alum and filmmaker Jerald Harkness.
The Black History Month Gala will honor Elizabeth Ann Bridgwaters as the 2024 Living Legend. Bridgwaters is an IU graduate and served as president of the Neal-Marshall Alumni Club from 1998–99, and is part of the Eagleson family. The gala will also recognize Outstanding Black Leaders of Tomorrow award recipients. The event will be from 6 to 9 p.m. Feb. 24 at the Woolery Mill. Tickets are $60 and are available in-person or online at the Buskirk-Chumley box office.
"The Kick It" will have food, movies and activities inspired by the Black Film Center zine, PERF. The event will show Black films that depict how food brings the Black community together, according to the Black Film Center and Archive. This issue’s theme is “Black love.” The event is sponsored by the City, the Archive, and Neal-Marshall Black Culture Center. The event will be hosted by Essence London, BFCA’s publication and programming associate and co-creator of the zine. RSVP for the event is available here. This free event will be held at 7 p.m. on Feb. 28 in the State Room East at the Indiana Memorial Union.
The IU Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology will host a talk by Dr. Jeremy Wilson, professor of anthropology at IU-Indianapolis, titled “Archaeology for Restorative Justice: The 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre Investigations.” Wilson will discuss his team’s role in identifying individuals murdered during the 1921 Massacre and destruction of the area known as Black Wall Street.
Indiana University is also hosting events across its other campuses. A list of events can be found on the Office of the Vice President for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion’s website.
