Black History Month 2022 in Fort Worth & Arlington: Free, low-cost ways to celebrate

By Megan Cardona

Updated February 3, 2022 12:24 PM

“Women, Words, and Wisdom: Songs by Black Female Composers” is Feb. 17 at the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth. Fort Worth Opera

Here are a few events scheduled around the Dallas-Fort Worth area for the month of February.

Celebrate Black History Month with Bass Performance Hall

When: Feb. 1-March 11
Where: Virtual
Cost: Free
Register: basshall.com/blackhistorymonth

The Children’s Education Program of Performing Arts Fort Worth is offering three free videos for students to learn about “Fort Worth’s unsung heroes and significant African-American leaders.” The videos highlighting pilot Bessie Coleman, Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall and African-American history in Fort Worth are free to stream.

‘Looking Up, Looking Out, Looking Forward’ exhibit

When: Throughout February
Where: UTA Central Library, 6th floor, 702 Planetarium Place, Arlington
Cost: Free

This exhibit of original artwork by UTA visual communication design student Jeremiah Alcorn features pieces using historical maps of Africa. “Looking Up, Looking Out, Looking Forward” is presented by UTA Special Collections for the month of February and is open to the public for viewing.

What is Anti-Racism? Book talk with author

When: Feb. 15, 6-7 p.m.

Where: Arlington Public Library’s Southeast Branch, 900 SE Green Oaks Blvd., Arlington

Cost: Free

Hedreich Nichols, author of “What is Anti-Racism?”, will discuss his book, which “explores the idea of actively working against racism in a comprehensive, honest, and age-appropriate way.”

UT-Arlington African-American Studies Conference

When: Feb. 17, 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
Where: E.H. Hereford University Center, 300 W. 1st St., Arlington
Cost: No registration fee
Register: For the in-person event, here; for virtual, here.

UT-Arlington Center for African American Studies will host its 10th annual conference, “The State of the Black Community,” both in-person and virtually. The conference will consist of guest speakers along with two panel discussions highlighting mental health for Black people in America and the City of Arlington’s Racial Equity Task Force. Check the in-person registration form for a speaker schedule.

‘Women, Words, and Wisdom: Songs by Black Female Composers’

When: Feb. 17, 2-3:30 p.m.
Where: Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth, 3200 Darnell St., Fort Worth
Cost: Free
Register: Eventbrite

Hear music composed by 20th and 21st century Black female artists in this event presented by the Fort Worth Opera. The concert will feature works by Nina Simone, Jasmine Barnes, Veronica Williams, Margaret Bonds and more. Register on Eventbrite under the title, “Women, Words, and Wisdom: Songs by Black Female Composers.”

A night of Black excellence: Songs of a Revolution

When: Feb. 20, 2-3:30 p.m.
Where: I.M. Terrell Academy for STEM and VPA, 1411 I.M. Terrell Circle South, Fort Worth
Cost: $35 for balcony; $55 back orchestra; $75 front orchestra; $125 VIP tickets, including front orchestra seating
Buy tickets: www.fwopera.org/anightofblackexcellence

This event will feature renowned opera singers performing works by Cyrus Chestnut, Duke Ellington, Shawn Okpebholo and Nina Simone, among others. A special tribute will be given in honor of Opal Lee, the “grandmother of Juneteenth,” during the concert.

Black History Month Festival

When: Feb. 26, noon-3 p.m.
Where: Arlington Public Library’s Southeast Branch, 900 SE Green Oaks Blvd., Arlington
Cost: Free

This family-friendly event hosted by the Arlington Public Library will celebrate African-American culture with music, dance, displays and more.

This story was originally published February 3, 2022 at 12:00 PM.