There are innumerable opportunities for nonprofits and organizations in Oregon to commemorate Black History Month this February by hosting activities that highlight the tenacity, inventiveness, and influence of Black communities.
These events, which take place throughout the month and include workshops, art exhibits, and live music, encourage everyone to get together and celebrate and think. Here are some events that you can anticipate.
Annual Cascade Festival of African Films
From January 31 to March 1, the 35th Annual Cascade Festival of African Film will take place. The festival this year presents Africa as seen by African filmmakers. The Hollywood Theater’s opening night event on January 31 includes the Moroccan film Everybody Loves Touda, directed by Nabil Ayouch, along with a conversation, henna painting, and a dance performance by Amel Tafsout. Five weeks of provocative films and cultural events honoring Africa’s accomplishments, challenges, and future begin with this free event.
Hollywood Theater, 4122 N.E. Sandy Blvd., Portland; January 31–March 1; free; africanfilmfestival.org.
Oregon Black Pioneers
activities honoring the accomplishments of Black Oregonians across the Pacific Northwest are being held by Oregon Black Pioneers, a nonprofit organization devoted to conserving the heritage of Black Oregonians. These activities will take place in the Portland metro area, Coos Bay, Manzanita, and Corvallis.A discussion on Oregon’s Black history opens February, and then there will be interactive displays, movie screenings, and talks examining people like York from the Lewis and Clark Expedition and the tenacity of Oregon’s Black communities. Highlights include a family day with interactive games and regional food vendors, as well as a panel discussion on undiscovered Black history stories. View the whole event calendar. events for Black History Month in 2025, atoregonblackpioneers.org.
Free entrance; Oregon Blackpioneers.org; February 1–29; multiple locations throughout the state.
Black, Black History Month
This month-long pop-up museum, organized by the 1803 Fund and Creative Homies, honors Black communities and tradition. The belief that Black excellence deserves double emphasis is reflected in this occasion, which intensifies Black History Month. The pop-up showcases the creativity and passion of Black Portland with galleries, film screenings, performances, panel discussions, and an artists’ marketplace. For a complete list of events and activations, visit the 1803 Fund website.
Free; 1803fund.com/news-and-events; Wednesdays–Sundays, February 1–29; Horizon Enterprise Building, 443 N.W. Fourth Ave., Portland; 10 a.m.–4 p.m.
Elite Blacksperience
At Darcelle XV Showplace, Elite Blacksperience—formerly known as Hot Chocolate PDX—celebrates its 15th anniversary by honoring Black female performers. Alexis Campbell Starr, Maria Peters Lake, Dhee Frazier, NayNay Leakes Cartier, and Poison Waters will all perform in the glittering and elegant drag event.
Darcelle XV Showplace, 208 N.W. 3rd Ave., Portland, February 2; $20 at the door, doors open at 5 p.m., show at 6 p.m.; Facebook: www.DarcelleXV.
All Power to the People: The Legacy of the 10-Point Platform
Vanport Mosaic will commemorate Black History Month by examining the Black Panther Party’s struggle for justice and emancipation in All Power to the People: The Legacy of the 10-Point Platform. Following a showing of Sting Like a Bee and a narrated presentation on Portland’s Black Panther heritage, the memory action event will feature a panel discussion on the Party’s influence, moderated by Kent Ford, a co-founder of the Portland Black Panthers. A Black and Indigenous Solidarity Dinner, emphasizing themes of empowerment, food, and land, marks the end of the evening.
February 2, 2–8 p.m.; Historic Alberta House, 5131 N.E. 23rd Ave., Portland; RSVP encouraged; bit.ly/allpower2025; gift accepted.
Additionally, Vanport Mosaic will broadcast Walking Through Portland with a Panther: The Life of Mr. Kent Ford in collaboration with the Oregon Historical Society. Kent Ford’s legacy is chronicled in the new solo play by Vanport Mosaic.
Oregon Historical Society, 1200 S.W. Park Ave., Portland, 6:30 p.m. February 11; free entry; ohs.org/events/walking-through-Portland-with-a-panther.cfm
The Old Church Concert Hall
Black History Month will be celebrated at the Old Church Concert Hall with a program of storytelling, art, and music. Albina Music Trust’s Black Mystery Month, Grammy-winning musician Alex Cuba, and jazz saxophonist Isaiah Collier are among the highlights. You may view the whole schedule of activities at tocportland.org/events.
Tickets are available at The Old Church Concert Hall, 1422 S.W. 11th Ave., Portland, from February 5–26; visit tocportland.org.
Through the Trees Series
This February, a number of events will be held by The Trees Collective and community partners to promote Black history, environmental stewardship, and community ties. A BIPOC nature and history immersion workshop, a BIPOC youth game day, a BIPOC tree planting program, and a showing of Buffalo Soldiers: Fighting On Two Fronts are all on the schedule.
RSVP at ateventbrite.com/cc/t3cs-black-history-month-2025-3909773; free; many venues.
Black History Month Showcase
On February 23, the BIPOC open mic group The People’s Poets will hold its third annual Black History Month Poetry Showcase. With performances by ten local poets, a singer, a live painter, a dancer, and a DJ set by DJ Ash, the evening showcases Black ingenuity. As they celebrate culture and community, guests can savor cuisine, beverages, and a cocktail menu inspired by Black History Month.
Sunday, February 23, 5-8 p.m.; Barrel Room, 120 N.W. Couch St., Portland; $20; look for “The People’s Poets” on Eventbrite.com.
NW Black Comedy Festival
With over 60 Black comedians performing over nine showcases, the 9th Annual NW Black Comedy Festival honors Black History Month and is billed as larger, blacker, and funnier than ever. Highlights include Improving While Black, which features the top Black improv groups, and Ladies Run This Mutha, which features the funniest Black women in comedy. For individuals who like to watch from any location, virtual tickets are offered. Tickets may be purchased at NWBlackComedyFestPDX (linktr.ee).
Tickets for the Curious Comedy Theater, located at 5225 N.E. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. in Portland, vary from February 20 to 23. Visit www.blackcomedyfest.com.
Biamp Portland Jazz Festival
From February 20 to March 1, the Biamp Portland Jazz Festival welcomes Oregonians to commemorate Black History Month by embracing the power of jazz. In addition to promoting PDX Jazz’s goal of reflecting the varied ideals of the jazz community, this yearly event respects Black history and culture. Along with free performances and other events across Portland, the festival’s lineup includes performers like Ravi Coltrane, Terence Blanchard, and Erykah Badu.
30+ locations in Portland from February 20 to March 1; ticket costs vary; pdxjazz.org
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Chiara Profenna discusses faith, religion, and cultural ties. You may contact her at [email protected] or @chiaraprofenna, or 503-221-4327.
The M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust supports The Oregonian/OregonLive in its efforts to provide readers with articles about faith, religion, and cultural ties in Oregon. All content is the exclusive property of The Oregonian/OregonLive.
