Celebrating Black History Month
February 2024
Join the Eiteljorg in celebrating Black History Month with a variety of programming and tours!
Celebrating Resilience and Triumphs
Black History Month is an annual celebration of achievements by African-American and Afro-Indigenous communitiesand a time for recognizing their central role in U.S. history. Since 1976, every U.S. president has officially designated the month of February as Black History Month. Other countries around the world, including Canada and the United Kingdom, also devote a month to celebrating Black history.
The Black History Month 2024 theme, “African Americans and the Arts,” explores the key influence African Americans have had in the fields of “visual and performing arts, literature, fashion, folklore, language, film, music, architecture, culinary and other forms of cultural expression.”
In honor of Black History Month, the Eiteljorg has planned several programs including our annual Leon Jett Memorial Lecture featuring storyteller Portia Sholar Jackson, a virtual conversation with artist Bernard Williams, and public tours highlight art in the Eiteljorg collection that tells African American stories. Scroll to explore what all we have planned!
Additional Resources
Learn more about the intersectionality of Black experiences, the American West, art and Indigenous stories.
- Black History Month Seek & Find at the Eiteljorg
- Hear from 2023 Eiteljorg Fellow Natalie Ball
- Black Cowboys podcast by Zaron Burnett III
- Learn more about Stagecoach Mary
- Oklahoma Freedmen of the Five Tribes by Angela Y. Walton-Raji *Available at the Eiteljorg Museum store
Black History Month Programs
Leon Jett Memorial Lecture about the iconic Madam C.J. Walker
Feb. 3 at 1 p.m.
Storyteller Portia Sholar Jackson, “Momma Portia,” will present an engaging lecture about iconic African American entrepreneur and businesswoman Madam C.J. Walker, followed by a Q&A session.
African American Stories in Art w/ Curator of Western Art, History & Culture Johanna Blume
Feb. 16 at 12 p.m.
Join Curator of Western Art, History & Culture Johanna Blume for a special public tour highlighting works by African American artists featured in the Eiteljorg’s collection.
A Conversation with Bernard Williams
Feb. 29 at 6 p.m.
Join us for this special opportunity for a virtual conversation with the artist Bernard Williams; hear about his inspiration for the piece Black Cowboy (and series), his decades-long career, and his current projects.
8 Seconds: Black Cowboys in Rodeo
Feb. 28 at 6 p.m.
The Eiteljorg Museum is excited to invite you to a special unveiling of three artworks by photojournalist Ivan McClellan, recently added to our permanent collection.
African American Stories in Art
Feb. 10, 17 & 24 at 2 p.m.
In honor of Black History Month, join us for a special public tour highlighting works by African American artists featured in the Eiteljorg’s collection.
Support Black-Owned Businesses
Food & Drink
Beauty / Skin Care / Health
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![Natalie Ball (Klamath Tribes [Klamath / Modoc]) Deer Woman’s New Medicine (unbundled), 2022 textiles, wood, cowhide, paint Loan from the John and Susan Horseman Collection, Courtesy of the Horseman Foundation](https://eiteljorg.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/NB0004_01_V.jpg)