Since 1976, the month of February honors and celebrates the achievements and contributions to society by Black Americans. It’s a time of remembrance for the important events and people who have shaped lives and culture throughout history.
This Black History Month, you can observe and join in the celebrations with different museum tours, live performances and more events happening all over Little Rock.
Support Black-Owned Businesses
There are numerous Black-owned stores and restaurants in Little Rock that are more than deserving of your support. It may be obvious, but shopping at these local businesses is crucial to each owner’s livelihood and visibility, as well as keeping them in our city.
Visit the Mosaic Templars Cultural Center
The Mosaic Templars Cultural Center has released a full lineup of programming for Black History Month. New this year is A Taste of Black Little Rock, a foodie event that features talented chefs and Black-owned restaurants, live music and a bar. Likewise, MTCC has again partnered with Loblolly Creamery to bring back the special Maple Leaf Rag Time flavor with every scoop benefiting the MTCC. Community Bakery is also supporting the MTCC with a portion of proceeds sold from Black History Month sugar cookies.
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See “Proud” at The Rep
The Rep is celebrating Black artistry through the years with its 2025 rendition of “Proud!: Celebrating the African American Journey through an Artistic Lens.” Connecting the past, present and future of this community and its members, “Proud” takes audiences on a journey to showcase some of the biggest contributions by Black Arkansans. Developed in conjunction with the AP African American Studies curriculum at Little Rock Central High School, this production blends classic and original poetry, music and dance. Public performances are free and take place on Feb. 21 at 7 p.m. and Feb. 22 at 2 p.m.
Take a Tour of Civil Rights History in Arkansas
Little Rock is a city that is rich in Black history. Honor and remember that history by taking a Civil Rights tour through the city. This self-guided audio tour highlights more than 35 local landmarks that have shaped our home state, and the app is free to download. The tour starts at Broadway and West Ninth Street, but you can start at any location. Click here to get started. Bonus: There’s also the shorter, self-led Little Rock Civil Rights Tour and the Arkansas Civil Rights Heritage Trail.
Hear Kristin Lewis at the Clinton Center
The Clinton Presidential Center is partnering with the Arkansas Black Hall of Fame on Thursday, Feb. 20, to bring a dazzling performance from the internationally renowned opera singer and Little Rock native Kristin Lewis. Lewis is a 2019 inductee of the Arkansas Black Hall of Fame, the recipient of many music awards and is best known for her interpretations of composer Giuseppe Verdi’s operatic heroines. The free tickets are sold out, but you can still join the waitlist here.
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Spend the Day in Black-Owned Little Rock
Use your dollars and time with intention and explore the local history, heritage and modern-day offerings of these Black-owned businesses in the capital city. Some notable spots include Eden Salt Studio, Cheesecake on Point, A Kick Above, Pyramid Art, Books & Custom Framing and more. Click here to learn more.
See Valerie Coleman’s “Umoja: Anthem of Unity” Performed by the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra
“Umoja: Anthem of Unity,” the women’s choir original by composer and flutist Valerie Coleman, will be performed by the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra on Feb. 22 and 23. “Umoja” means unity in Swahili and is the first principle of Kwanzaa. It conveys a sense of communion through a drum circle feel, traditional call-and-response and a memorable, repetitive melody. Coleman’s “Umoja” is the also first classical work by a living African American woman to be performed by the Philadelphia Orchestra. The piece will be played in a performance along with Simone Porter. Click here for more information or to secure your tickets.
Honor Black History Month at CALS
The Central Arkansas Library System is celebrating Black History Month throughout February with informative and interactive events for everyone. Feb. 15’s Imagining Black Futures: Exhibition Reception explores themes of Black identity, autonomy and liberation through the lens of Afrofuturism. A free screening of “Dolemite” will take place at the Ron Robinson Theater on Saturday, Feb. 15, at 9:30 p.m. “Dolemite” is about the rise of cultural icon and Arkansas native Rudy Ray Moore. Plus, CALS even has a suggested reading list filled with Black authors.
Spend Black History Movie Nights at Laman Library
Every Tuesday in February, this NLR library is hosting a free screening of a film based on the lives of notable people in Black history. Still on the lineup are “42,” “Harriet” and “Selma,” and each screening includes opportunities to more learn about the people in the spotlight. Click here to learn more.
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Watch More Films for Black History Month with Cinema I/O
The nonprofit microcinema Cinema I/O is shining the light on diverse films that illustrate the depth and richness of Black culture and heritage. Curated by local film enthusiast Omaya Jones, Cinema I/O will be showing “Daughters of the Dust” on Feb. 10 and “Moonlight” on Feb. 24 at the CALS Dee Brown Library. All films begin at 6 p.m.m and are free and open to the public. For more information, click here.
Bonus: Central Arkansas is full of nonprofits and charitable organizations, and many of them are hosting special programming for Black History Month. Find an organization you connect with and get involved however you can.