Looking for ways to explore Black history in Erie with your kids in February? Here are five ideas:
1. Take part in the Erie County Library Black History Month Reading Challenge
By participating in the free February challenge and earning activity badges, readers will learn about Black history makers, explore cultural traditions and honor the evolution of Black history in America. It is vital to understand history in order to impact the future, from the Civil Rights Movement to #BlackLivesMatter. Click here to learn more and to register.
2. Enter the Tops Friendly Markets contest
From Tops: Attention all 3rd-5th graders! February is Black History Month and back by popular demand is our essay contest! Last year, you shared stories with us about African Americans who inspire you, and we were so inspired that we just had to hear more! Please submit a paragraph, or more, by Feb. 18, 2022 describing someone you look up to for a chance to win not only $100 for your school, but a $50 Tops gift card for yourself. Enter here.
3. Enjoy a performance by the Kotchegna Dance Company at Penn State Behrend
The Kotchegna Dance Company from Ivory Coast, West Africa, will will share dance and drumming from the Ivory Coast from noon to 1 p.m. in Bruno’s Café Feb. 16. This performance will feature stilt dancers. The same day, the school will showcase the African-American Inventors and Inventions Exhibit
from 11:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m in the Reed Wintergarden. The one-day exhibit is part of Reflections in Black Museum, Inc., African American History on Wheels, a traveling museum. Both the performance and the exhibit are open to the public.
4. Explore the Trail of Shared Heritage
Explore and discover key people, places, and events associated with the history of African Americans in Erie County by taking an afternoon to explore the "Trail of Shared Heritage." You can find the map and more information here, featuring 29 points of interest.
5. Support Erie-owned Black businesses
February is Black History Month, a time to honor the Black men and women who have made significant contributions to the United States. In that spirit, we have rounded up a list of seven Black-owned restaurants in Erie. Each of these businesses helps make the Erie community the special place it is. We love to support these Black-owned businesses in Erie all year-round, and hope you do too! Find a list of Black-owned businesses in Erie on Erie's Black Wall Street website.
