North Carolina Museum of History kicks off Black History Month with free cultural celebrations

The North Carolina Museum of History in Raleigh is presenting several events this week to kick off Black History Month. 

On Friday the museum will host a free virtual series of presentations in interactive sessions beginning at 9 a.m. Events will include storytelling, an exploration of the Civil Rights Trail map, and commentary on the civil rights contributions of the Reverend Dr. Pauli Murray and freedom seeker Harriet Jacobs of Edenton.

The museum will be closed to the public for the day.

On Saturday, the 23rd annual African American Cultural Celebration continues in person, with this year’s theme focusing on the state’s Black artistic legacy.

The day kicks off with a procession featuring a marching band drumline, United States Colored Troops reenactors, and dancers from regional schools and academies. In addition to food tasting and artisan events, there will be commemorations of the 50th anniversary of the founding of hip-hop, and the 100th birthday of drummer Max Roach.

A complete rundown of the weekend’s events can be found at the North Carolina Museum of History website.