Black History Month 2022 In Harlem: Events, Food & More

HARLEM, NY — The start of February marks the beginning of Black History Month in New York City — and where better to celebrate it than in Harlem?

This month will feature a slew of events across Harlem, the neighborhood often described as a "Black Mecca" for its outsized cultural influence and its "Renaissance" of the early 20th century.

Here's a partial list of some of this month's festivities in Harlem — plus a few happening elsewhere in the city.

Programming at the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture (515 Malcolm X Blvd., near West 135th Street):

• This preeminent research center operated by the New York Public Library is hosting a series of public programs on Feb. 3, 7, 15, 19 and 24 to coincide with Black History Month.
• The four virtual events include discussions of "Black Feminist Futures" and an exploration of 20th century Black New York, while the Feb. 24 in-person event is a screening of the 2018 film "Bigger Than Africa."

Food exhibition at The Africa Center (1280 Fifth Ave., near Central Park North):

• Opening Feb. 23, this exhibition focused on African American food is titled "African/American: Making the Nation's Table."
• The museum describes it as a "first-of-its kind" show, featuring the endless contributions made by Black chefs, farmers and food producers toward American food culture. It was curated by Dr. Jessica B. Harris, a prominent expert on foods of the African disaspora.
• Tickets can be purchased online.

Concert by the Harlem Chamber Players (Harlem School of the Arts, 645 St. Nicholas Ave.):

• This Feb. 23 concert will be the troupe's 14th annual Black History Month celebration. It will be held from 6-7:45 p.m. at the Harlem School of the Arts.

Prints at Claire Oliver Gallery (2288 Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. Boulevard, near West 134th Street):

• This Central Harlem art gallery is hosting a new exhibition coinciding with Black History Month. Titled "A Contemporary Black Matriarchal Lineage In Printmaking," it features 21 works by nine contemporary Black women printmakers, curated by artists Tanekeya Word and Delita Martin.
• It runs from Jan. 29-March 19.

Music at Riverside Church:

• On Feb. 13, the historic church is hosting a virtual concert titled "Rhythm Road Across The Continents: Three Centuries of the African Diaspora."
• The show will be livestreamed on YouTube, featuring the Alexander Wu piano trio along with Frederique Gnaman on violin and Eric Cooper on cello.

Concerts at Joe's Pub (425 Lafayette St., near Astor Place):

• This downtown venue within the Public Theater is hosting a series of Black History month concerts, with performers including Carl Hancock Rux, Britton & The Stinr, Nicole Henry, Kendall Thomas, Mykal Kilgore and more. Find the full calendar here.

Commemoration by U.S. Rep. Adriano Espaillat:

• The Upper Manhattan congressman, whose district includes all of Harlem, will host a virtual commemoration on Feb. 10 at 6 p.m., on his Facebook page.
• The event will feature "African American luminaries" from across Espaillat's 13th congressional district, celebrating "African American heritage and contributions throughout the district," according to his office.

New York Public Library events:

• Besides the Schomburg, the NYPL system is hosting a full slate of Black History Month events, from storytimes to a lecture about the Wu-Tang Clan.

Drink specials at Harlem Hookah (381 Lenox Ave., near West 129th Street):

• The only Black and woman-owned hookah lounge in the city, this popular Harlem spot will run a month-long promotion of Black-owned spirits. Featured spirits will include HH Bespoke and Shinju Whiskey.