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Published on January 23, 2025
Austin's Carver Museum Celebrates Black History Month with "African Americans and Labor" Themed EventsSource: City of Austin

February in Austin just got a whole lot more educational and celebratory at the George Washington Carver Museum, Cultural and Genealogy Center. For Black History Month, they're rolling out a schedule packed with events and programs, all free and centered around the theme "African Americans and Labor." The Association for the Study of African American Life and History, which was founded by the Father of Black History Month Carter G. Woodson, chose this year's theme to highlight the significant contributions of African Americans in the labor movement.

The month-long observance is set to kick off with a bang—or should we say, a block party. On February 1, from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m., the "Solar Saturday" event promises to transform the entire site into a lively celebration with live music, cultural arts, and a vendor market teeming with local talent. While the legendary DJ Marc V. Fort is taking revelers back in time with vintage tunes, the Presence Exhibit will bring the gallery to life—even as it attempts to cater to a multigenerational crowd with hands-on art and dance sessions.

Beyond the initial festivities, the Carver Museum has lined up an impressive array of events. Film enthusiasts can look forward to "That’s My Face" screenings, while "HBCU Day" will shine the spotlight on the historical importance and ongoing impact of Historically Black Colleges and Universities. As the month draws to a close, children will get their special day with "Black History Month Kids’ Day!" ensuring that the commemoration engages minds of all ages. Partnerships with organizations such as Torch Literary Arts and local HBCUs like Prairie View A&M and Huston Tillotson are set to deepen the impact of the month's programming.

For those looking to imbue their Black History Month with spirit and soul, the Carver’s "Create and Heal: The Art of Gospel" event will feature an uplifting gospel performance. Set in the newly renovated Boyd Vance Theatre, audiences can expect not only to be entertained but also to find community and healing through the power of music. All events are detailed on the Carver Museum's social media pages, along with their official website, which visitors can access at AustinTexas.gov/BlackHistory to learn more.

The Carver Museum itself is no stranger to black history, being housed in what used to be Austin's first library for the African-American community before transforming into Texas's first African-American neighborhood museum in 1980. Today, as its 39,000-square-foot facility bustles with preparations for the upcoming events, its commitment to preserving and celebrating Black culture and history only continues to grow. From galleries and meeting spaces to a darkroom, dance studio, and theatre, the Carver Museum stands as a vibrant cultural landmark deeply woven into the fabric of East Austin.