Flint celebrates Black History Month with exhibitions, panels and film screenings

FLINT, Mich. — Black History Month, observed in February, was first celebrated for a full month in 1970. It later became a nationwide observance recognizing the history and accomplishments of African Americans.

Here is a compilation of 2025 Black History-themed events that are happening around Flint:

Saturday, Feb. 1

To kick off the month, The Flint Institute of Arts will be celebrating the opening of two exhibitions that pay homage to Black American heritage with their 18th Annual Community Gala at 6 p.m. The exhibitions – Romare Bearden: Artist as Activist and Visionary and We Loved the Swag: From Black Bottom Until Now by Detroit-born artist Judy Bowman – will be open to the public from Feb. 2 to Apr. 19, 2025. 

Proceeds from the event are being put toward exhibitions and the expansion of the African American art collection at the FIA. For more information, click here.

Tuesday, Feb. 4

University of Michigan-Flint’s Center for Gender and Sexuality is hosting a Black History Month Keynote in collaboration with author Darnell L. Moore who will be discussing themes from his book, No Ashes in the Fire. The event will take place at the Kiva Auditorium in the University Center from 2 to 3 p.m. It is free and open to the public. Free books and refreshments will be provided.

Wednesday, Feb. 5

Flint & Genesee Young Professions is hosting a Black History Month panel discussion with young community leaders at the Gloria P. Coles Flint Public Library from noon to 1 p.m. The event will feature Alex Dawson, DJ Chef Nate, and Perci Whitmore. The event is free and open to the public. To register click here.

Thursday, Feb. 13

University of Michigan-Flint is hosting its fifth annual Iqbal Symposium on Islamic Thought & Civilization in the Northbank Center’s Grand Ballroom at 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. This year’s speaker is Imam Dawud Walid, who will be discussing immigrant and African American Muslim relationships in 20th Century Michigan. Community members can click this link to register. 

Communities First, Inc. (CFI) and Flint Institute of Arts (FIA) are finishing up the tenth season of their African American Film Series with a final film: This Is My Black, a musical documentary. This is a free showing. Doors open and dinner will be provided at 5:30 p.m. with the film starting at 6:45 p.m. at the Flint Institute of Arts, located on 1120 E. Kearsley St. 

Thursday, Feb. 27

The offices of the 1st, 2nd and 7th wards are hosting a Black History Month celebration and Student Contest Recognition Ceremony at the public library at 6 p.m. The theme for the creative expression contest is “African Americans and Labor” and any student K-12 can enter. 

Responses are due by 5 p.m. on Thursday, Feb 20. They can be submitted in person at 1101 S. Saginaw Street Room 310, or sent to neighbor@sarvispark.org. For additional information, contact the Sarvis Park Executive Board at that email address, or call 810-407-2877.

To add an event to the list, please contact rwatson@flintbeat.com or leave a comment below.