From Destination Cleveland
This Black History Month, a collection of moments across the region will celebrate Cleveland’s Black community, marking a century since Dr. Carter G. Woodson first envisioned a week-long national observance of Black history. From music embedded with African American culture to the poetic works of Black literature, Clevelanders and their visiting friends and family have ample opportunity to learn more about the history and influence of Black culture in Cleveland.
Art as Reflection: The Cleveland Museum of Art will celebrate Black History Month with guided tours of its African American artists’ collections every Sunday in February. Tours are free but require reservations. At the Cleveland Institute of Art, the third annual “Back in the Dayz” exhibition will showcase student artwork based on a nostalgia theme. The exhibit is running through the end of the month.
Music Rooted in Culture: Clevelanders and visitors can celebrate African American musicians’ profound impact at various events throughout the month. The Maltz Performing Arts Center will host “Candlelight: 90s Hip-Hop on Strings” on Feb. 6 and 27. Playhouse Square welcomes the return of Grammy-winning jazz vocalist Gregory Porter on Feb. 12. And all month long at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, visitors can honor Black inductees by exploring dedicated exhibits, artifacts and stories that celebrate their status as music legends.
Karamu House: The nation’s oldest producing Black theatre offers multiple opportunities for Clevelanders to celebrate the space’s roots in Black history. The multicultural place of joy will hold “The Ancestral Remembrance Gala” on Feb. 22. Through music, dance, spoken word and storytelling, the Gala celebrates Black unity, community and resilience. From Feb. 12 to March 8, guests can catch the third show in Karamu House’s 2025-26 season, “Queens Girl: Black in the Green Mountains.”
Ohio Celebrates Toni Morrison: Ohio native Toni Morrison, the first African American woman to win the Nobel Prize in Literature, will be honored with a yearlong celebration that begins in Black History Month. The Cleveland kickoff will be held Feb. 18 at Karamu House, coinciding with the statewide launch on what would have been the author’s 95th birthday. The tribute features more than a dozen events throughout Northeast Ohio in 2026.
Beyond the Game Black Heritage Celebrations: Both the Cavaliers and Monsters will honor Black History Month with gameday heritage celebrations. Cavs games on Feb. 11 and 19 will recognize those who have impacted the local Black community, and the team will be outfitted in Black History Month edition warmups all month long. The Monsters Hip-Hop & Hockey: A Black Heritage Celebration game on Feb. 20 will treat fans to a post-game concert by The Sugarhill Gang.
For more ways to celebrate Cleveland’s Black History, visit ThisisCleveland.com/CLEblackhistory
