Remember, Learn & Celebrate
Explore Black History in Portsmouth, Virginia

This February, experience Portsmouth’s rich Black History, and discover the people, places, stories and events that helped shape our city, our region and our nation. Find a full list of events, lectures and family fun below, and come celebrate Black History Month in Portsmouth!

Explore All Upcoming Black History Month Events → Learn more about Black History Now events →

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Forged in Hampton Roads Exhibit

Portsmouth Colored Community Library Museum 904 Elm Avenue, Portsmouth, VA

Description: Forged in Hampton Roads explores the transformative impact of African American labor and how it profoundly shaped the character and lifestyle of the Hampton Roads region. Come learn about […]

Free
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Lincolnsville Photo Exhibit at Emanuel A.M.E.

Emanuel A.M.E. Church 637 North Street, Portsmouth, VA

Emanuel AME was once the religious and cultural center of the Lincolnsville Community.  Established in 1890, Lincolnsville became Portsmouth’s first middle-class African American Community.  During segregation, it operated as a […]

Free

Black History Month Caribbean Dreaming with Gary Garlic

Portsmouth Public Library - Cradock Branch 28 Prospect Parkway, Portsmouth, VA

Caribbean Dreaming with Gary Garlic- Feb 13, 2025 3 pm- 4 pm Cradock Branch Library Sail the Caribbean seas on the sound waves of steel drums with Arts for Learning’s […]

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Black Scientist STEM Studio

Children's Museum of Virginia 221 High Street, Portsmouth, VA

Discover African American scientists and their significant contributions. Conduct experiments related to their work in our STEM Studio each weekend. 10:00am - 12:00pm & 1:00pm - 3:00pm

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6th Annual Black History Trail Blazers Sidewalk Parade

Greater Mt. Zion COGIC 3100 Deep Creek Blvd, Portsmouth, VA

This year’s Black History Sidewalk Parade is taking place in historic Truxton, starting and ending at the Greater Mt. Zion Church of God in Christ (COGIC).  9:30 a.m. – Bus […]

Black History Story Time Main Library

Portsmouth Public Library - Main Branch 601 Court Street, Portsmouth, VA

Black History Story Time Feb 15, 2025 11 am- 12 pm Main Library Enjoy a story, craft, and a short film with the African American Historical Society of Portsmouth.   […]

Black History STEM Activities

Portsmouth Public Library - Main Branch 601 Court Street, Portsmouth, VA

Stop in with the kids and see how learning about engineering, math, science, and technology can be fun.  Learn about famous black scientists.

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Black History Expo at the Portsmouth Main Library

Portsmouth Public Library - Main Branch 601 Court Street, Portsmouth, VA

Come hear the stories of Portsmouth’s earliest African Americans in music and narrative.  2pm | Porte City Magic Orchestra and Choir 3:15pm | Chrystle Castleberry, Public Archaeologist, Colonial Williamsburg Foundation […]

Black History Month – Anansi and Me presented by Valerie Davis

Portsmouth Public Library - Main Branch 601 Court Street, Portsmouth, VA

Anansi & Me A program by Arts for Learning Virginia that teaches students how animal characters in Anansi fables and trickster tales represent human strengths and weaknesses.  Anansi is a […]

Black History Month – Crafts

Portsmouth Public Library - Cradock Branch 28 Prospect Parkway, Portsmouth, VA

Black History Month Craft Feb 19, 2025   3 – 4 pm  Cradock Branch Library Drop by for a Black History Month-inspired craft! Ages 3-12     DON'T MISS OUR DROP […]

Black History Month Celebration

Portsmouth Public Library Churchland Branch 4934 High Street, Portsmouth, VA

Black History Month Celebration  Feb 22, 2025   10 am- 4 pm Churchland Branch Library Join us at the Churchland Library as we honor Black History Month with a vibrant series […]

Rhythms of Resilience

Churchland High School 4301 Cedar Ln, Portsmouth, VA

African dance and drum workshops 2 pm - 4 pm sponsored by Tidewater African Cultural Alliance Evening Show at 5 PM Opera for Us: Presenting excertps from Scott Joplin's Treemonisha […]

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Black History Now – Waves of Strength Exhibition

Portsmouth Art & Cultural Center 400 High Street, Portsmouth, Virginia

Waves of Strength Portraits of African American Shipyard Workers from Tidewater Virginia  In the summer of 2014, photographer artist Glen McClure began his project of documenting the proud men and […]

$3.00
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Black History Now – A Purple Patchwork Sewn in Sisterhood

Portsmouth Art & Cultural Center 400 High Street, Portsmouth, Virginia

A Purple Patchwork Sewn in Sisterhood The Hampton Road’s based 54-40 African American Quilters Guild of Virginia reflects on The Color Purple through their creation of quilts in this exhibition […]

$3.00

There's so much
to do in Portsmouth!