The City will host numerous events throughout February 2025 to commemorate Black History Month.

The month will feature book clubs, presentations, crafting projects, and more, aimed at celebrating the impact Black Americans have had on our country, and educating people on the barriers Black Americans have faced, and still face today.

Sunday Fun Day Black History Month events

2 p.m. Feb. 2, 9, 23, at the Library's Storytime room

The Library will host three separate Sunday Fun Day events that celebrate Black artists with different crafting projects perfect for kids. 

• Feb. 2: Make abstract collages in the style of Chicago's Reggie Laurent.
• Feb. 9: Make heart mosaics in the style of Expressionist painting legend Alma Thomas.
• Feb. 23: Make quilts in the tradition of the women of Gee's Bend, Alabama. 

You can learn more about the events on the Library's website.

Inclusive Transportation Book Club 

6 p.m. Feb. 4remotely

Celebrate National Transit Equity Day, Feb. 4, 2025, with an events that honor the legacy of civil rights icon Rosa Parks. 

The City's Climate Action and Outreach Office, Equity and Human Rights Office, and the Iowa City Public Library will host an event centered around the book "Inclusive Transportation: A Manifesto for Repairing Divided Communities" by author and transportation planner Veronica O. Davis.

A virtual, live Q&A webinar with the author will be hosted from 6-7 p.m. Feb. 4, 2025. To watch remotely, sign up for the event through Zoom.

Library's Totally Tweens celebration of Susie Clark

4 p.m. Feb. 6, in the Library's Storytime Room

Did you know Iowa was the first state to legally desegregate public schools? It's all because of a 13-year-old Iowans named Susie Clark who was denied going to the nearest school, back in 1868, due to her being Black. 

This event, made for tweens, features Iowa author Joshalyn Hickey-Johnson discussing her book "Susie Clark, The Bravest Girl You've Ever Seen," and then snacks and crafts that are mentioned in the book.

The 2nd Annual Black History Ball

7 p.m. Feb. 8, at the Iowa City Senior Center

The Black History Ball is back at the ICSC! This year, the theme is the Harlem Renaissance, so come dressed in 1920s and 1930s best! The event features live jazz from the Curtis Taylor Quartet, a keynote performance by Caleb "The Negro Artist" Rainey, a fashion show, art displays, food, and a silent auction.

Tickets are $60 per person and help make future ICSC events possible. They can be purchased online. 

2 p.m. Feb. 11, at Room 302 in the Iowa City Senior Center

Riding the wake of the Black History Ball, come taste the cinematic gumbo cooked up during this cultural movement in art, music, theater, dance, literature, and politics back in 1920s &1930s America. Steve Berry is an award-winning filmmaker and author who co-wrote “The 50 Most Influential Black Films” and “Historical Dictionary of African-American Cinema.” He lives in Coralville.

Noon Feb 19, at the Assembly Room in the Iowa City Senior Center

This group aims to provide a safe and welcoming space for older people of color to share their diverse perspectives and stories and foster new connections. Through regular meetings and events, and hosted by ICSC Coordinator LaTash DeLoach, members will have the opportunity to engage in meaningful discussions and learn from the experiences and perspectives of others. The OMGers group welcomes all people of color age 50+ to join. For more information, contact LaTasha DeLoach at ldeloach@iowa-city.org or 319-356-5225.

 Webinar discussion on "the Mother of Black Feminism"

Noon, Feb. 20, via Zoom

Author Dr. Shirley Moody-Turner will discuss her biography in progress of Anna Julia Cooper, who is often cited as the Mother of Black Feminism. The Webinar, entitled "Punished for Leading: How the Black Female Head of a DC School was Punished for Leading," explores the history of Cooper, who in the late 19th century, fought back against Jim Crow educational practices. 

Those interested can register for the Webinar through Zoom. 

2 p.m. Feb 21, at the Assembly Room in the Iowa City Senior Center

Amidst the often-overlooked spaces of the Midwest, lives a Black voice that demands to be heard. This documentary is a journey into the world of Caleb Rainey, a Black spoken word poet professionally known as The Negro Artist. Rainey's poetry is a profound exploration of race, identity, and the lived realities of systemic inequality. His stage name is inspired by the Langston Hughes essay, "The Negro Artist and the Racial Mountain." The film seeks to capture the essence of Rainey, not just as an artist, but as a vital voice in the ongoing dialogue about race in America. However, The Negro Artist Film Experience extends beyond the screen. Rainey, joined by other poets, delivers live performances, bringing the energy of spoken word to life. Following the screening and performances, audiences can engage in an interactive Q&A with the director, Emmy Award-winning journalist and filmmaker Nik Heftman, and Rainey, exploring their personal and artistic journeys in depth.