1.21.2022 Gaithersburg Celebrates Black History Month
Gaithersburg, MD (January 21, 2022) The City of Gaithersburg celebrates and honors Black History Month with storytime programs, film screenings, discussions, and an official proclamation. Explore all programs and events here.
Celebrated annually in the United States during the month of February, Black History Month was started in 1926 by Dr. Carter G. Woodson. He sought to bring national attention to the important contributions African Americans made to the history of the United States. Woodson chose February because it includes the birthdays of Frederick Douglass, Langston Hughes and Abraham Lincoln.
At the virtual Mayor and City Council meeting on Monday, February 7 at 7:30 p.m., Mayor Jud Ashman will issue an official proclamation commemorating Black History Month to Gregory Plummer, owner of Plum's Hair Gallery. Gregory has operated a shop in Olde Towne since 1988, and for the past 35 years he has been a Barber School instructor, where he has been instrumental in countless graduates establishing their own shops. Gregory supports the community by giving free haircuts to children returning to or entering school for the first time, and he offers discounted haircuts to incarcerated individuals at the Seven Locks and Clarksburg correctional facilities.
"Uncloaked" – Black History Month Discussion
Tuesday, February 1, 12:45 p.m. (In-person - BGC Members Only)
Monday, February 28, 12:45 p.m. (Virtual. All are welcome.)
Zoom Meeting ID: 849 6661 8256, Passcode: 240849
Black History Month is an annual celebration of achievements by African Americans and a time for recognizing their central role in U.S. history. This presentation focuses on five significant but little known facts of Black history and dispels historical myths. The event includes a screening of a 30-minute original documentary, "UNCLOAKED," produced by Robert Williams, followed by an open question and answer session.
Did You Know or Were You Told – Black History Month Display
Activity Center at Bohrer Park
February 8 – 25
Free
Learn about the people, places and events that contribute to Black History. The display is sponsored by the Multicultural Affairs Committee to educate and enlighten the community.
Gaithersburg History Project: Black Families, Heritage & Culture
Community Museum (Virtual on Facebook Live)
Tuesday, February 8, 7 p.m.
Free
The Community Museum staff is working with a local historian and researcher to create a study of the history, heritage and culture of Gaithersburg's Black families, organizations, and businesses. This program will explain and explore the project, what we hope to achieve, and ways you might be able to contribute.
Storytime at the Arts Barn
Saturday, February 12
11:30 a.m.
$3 to cover cost of art supplies.
Registration required. Register here.
Local author Ada-Ari shares her newest children's books, The Turtle's Cracked Shell and The Spider's Thin Legs. These beautifully illustrated retellings of beloved African folktales each have a lesson to teach and history to share. A creative art activity accompanies the stories to ignite imagination and joy. Recommended for ages 2 – 8 and their families.
Storytime Station: Black Heroes & Heroines
Tuesday, February 22, 11 – 11:45 a.m.
Free. Virtual. Registration details to come.
The Gaithersburg Community Museum invites you and your child to a morning of books, songs, and movement. Recommended for ages 2 to 6.
Tasty Books: Trombone Shorty
Saturday, February 26, 10:30 a.m.
$5, Register here
Explore the tasty and adventurous world of food and books using all five senses. Stories come to life as they are read aloud and explored with hands-on crafts and snack making. Hailing from New Orleans, Troy "Trombone Shorty" Andrews was a trombone-playing prodigy. He was leading his own band by age six, and today this Grammy-nominated artist headlines the legendary New Orleans Jazz Fest.
Movies@Casey: Pixar's Soul
Saturday, February 26
Sensory Friendly Screening at 2 p.m., Evening Screening at 6:30 p.m.
Pixar's "Soul" is a story about Joe, a middle-school band teacher whose life hasn't quite gone the way he expected. His true passion is jazz - and he's good. But when he travels to another realm to help someone find their passion, he soon discovers what it means to have soul. Concessions are available for sale. A parent/guardian must accompany those 17 and under. Advance registration strongly encouraged.
Face masks are required inside all City facilities, and social distancing and limited capacity protocols are in place. Programs are subject to change based on the current health situation. Please check the City's website for updates.
