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Six ways to celebrate Black History Month in Boston – Metro US

Six ways to celebrate Black History Month in Boston

Six ways to celebrate Black History Month in Boston
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Black History Month highlights the roles and stories of African-Americans in this country’s history. It’s a rumination on the cultures of two continents, Africa and North America, but the inclusive and respectful event is meant to be one of learning and celebration by all people. Here are a selection of events to do both throughout the month of February.

Berklee School of Music hosts the fourth annual Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration on Feb. 3, featuring a performance from the gorgeous Grammy-winning singer-songwriter India.Arie, and a keynote address from activist, author and Harvard professor, Sara Lawrence-Lightfoot.

Berklee will also present, Black Lives Matter: Sankofa, a student-produced musical presentation of the African diaspora, both historic and current, on Feb. 8. Sankofa is a word in the Twi language of Ghana that translates as “Go back and get it.” Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration, Feb. 3 at 7 p.m. $8-$12; Black Lives Matter: Sankofa, Feb 8, at 8 p.m., $8-$12; Berklee Performance Center,136 Massachusetts Ave., berklee.edu.

The current exhibition at the Schollay Square Gallery at City Hall, “Visions/Revisions: What We Collect,” displays Hakim Raquib’s photography montages of African art through Feb. 28. Raquib is resident artist at the National Center for African American Artists, and part of the African American Master Artists in Residence Program at Northeastern University. Barry Gaither, director at the NCAAA Museum, curated this exhibition.Through Feb. 28. 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Free, 1 City Hall Sq.,boston.gov.

Enjoy a winter walk through Beacon Hill on The Museum of African American History’s self-guided tour. The tour takes you to two National Historic Landmarks: the African Meeting House and Abiel Smith School, the nation’s oldest public school for African-American children. Pick up a tour map in the museum’s gift store.Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Free, 46 Joy St., maah.org.

Long before there was a Black Lives Matter movement, black activists in the tourist town of St. Augustine, Florida, fought oppression and injustice. The award-winning documentary film “Passage at St. Augustine” tells their story, one of the most harrowing in the civil rights campaign. Boston Public Library’s Grove Hall Branch hosts a free screening Feb. 2 at 6 p.m. Free. Grove Hall Branch of the Boston Public Library, 41 Geneva Ave., Dorchester, passageatstaugustine.com.

At the Boston Center for Adult Education, a new exhibit, “Portraits of Purpose: A Tribute to Leadership,” features a powerful collection of 107 portraits of African-American leaders and their allies by photographer Don West. The post-civil rights era collection includes the likes of Mel King, Nelson Mandela and Ruth Batson. An opening reception and meet-and-greet with the artist will be Feb. 3 at 6. p.m. The free exhibit will be on display through April 2017.The opening reception is Feb. 3 at 6. p.m. RSVP required.Opening reception: Feb. 3, 6 to 8 pm.; On view during regular hours, free, Boston Center for Adult Education, 122 Arlington St., bcae.org.