Celebrate Black History Month in the Richmond Region

by Sarah Wilkinson, Communications Director of Southside ReLeaf

In the Richmond region, Black history is not confined to a single month — it lives in our neighborhoods, institutions, traditions, and ongoing struggles for justice. We honor and celebrate the contributions, creativity, and leadership of Black communities year-round, past and present.

Still, Black History Month offers something powerful: an intentional, collective focus on Black memory, storytelling, and community. Across the region, museums, libraries, and community organizations are hosting an extraordinary range of events that invite us to learn something new, celebrate Black culture, and deepen our understanding of the histories that shape this place. Continuing to center these stories is an act of resistance against forgetting — because only by remembering where we’ve been can we move forward together.

Celebrations & Cultural Programs

RVA Community Makers 2026 – Unveiling Event

📅 Thursday, February 12, 2026
⏰ 6 – 7 p.m.
📍 Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, 200 N Arthur Ashe Blvd, Richmond, VA
Annual art installation honoring local community advocates; this year’s theme, “Standing on the Shoulders,” celebrates Black voices and contributions.

Art of Wine: In Celebration of Black History Month

📅 Friday, February 13, 2026
⏰ 5:30 – 7 p.m.
📍 Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, 200 N Arthur Ashe Blvd, Richmond, VA
Enjoy Mama J’s and Longevity Wines at the VMFA.

Black History Month - History, Craft, and Community

📅 Sunday, February 15, 2026
⏰ 6 – 8 p.m.
📍 The Quirk Hotel, 201 West Broad St, Richmond, VA
Sip, learn, and celebrate Black history through unique wines and stories with good vibes and great company.

Love is King Tour - Evening with Gregory Porter

📅 Thursday, February 19, 2026
⏰ 7:30 p.m.
📍 Altria Theater, 6 North Laurel St, Richmond, VA
With his rich baritone voice and his mastery of the deepest traditions of soul, jazz, and gospel, enjoy an evening with Gregory Porter.

Let’s Groove Tonight

📅 Friday, February 20, 2026
⏰ 7 p.m.
📍 Dominion Energy Center, 600 E Grace St, Richmond, VA
Led by Broadway superstar Chester Gregory and vocal powerhouses Cherise Coaches & Brik Liam, this incredible evening is full of classic hit songs made famous by The Spinners, The Stylistics, The Temptations, Marvin Gaye, Lou Rawls, Diana Ross, Gamble & Huff, and more.

Culturescape Saturday: Black History Month Celebration

📅 Saturday, February 21, 2026
⏰ 12 – 3 p.m.
📍 Library of Virginia, 800 E Broad St, Richmond, VA
A free celebration featuring Black artists & storytellers, pop-up exhibitions, genealogical show-and-tell, guided tours of House to Highway: Reclaiming a Community History, resource sharing, and reference/genealogy assistance.

Convergence

📅 Saturday, February 21, 2026
⏰ 10:30 a.m. – 7 p.m.
📍 Greater Richmond Convention Center, 403 North 3rd St, Richmond, VA
Come together for rooted and fiery African dance and drumming classes, hosted by the Elegba Folklore Society. Stay to enjoy a dinner of delicious African food and meaningful conversation in this 100th Black History Month.

Hi-Hat Hattie (Stage Play)

📅 Wednesday, February 25, 2026
📍 Cultural Arts Center of Glen Allen, 2880 Mountain Rd, Glen Allen, VA
Solo musical performance celebrating the life & legacy of Hattie McDaniel.

A Celebration of Black Herstory and Culture

📅 Wednesday, February 25, 2026
📍 THE WORKSHOP BY T&D, 1400 Mactavish Ave, Richmond, VA
An unapologetic celebration of Black joy, culture, and history that centers liberation, creativity, and community hosted by FOR THE FEM IN YOU.

Exhibits

Arthur Ashe: An Enduring Legacy Exhibit

📅 February 4 – June 13
📍 Black History Museum and Cultural Center of Virginia, 122 W Leigh St, Richmond, VA
Immersive exhibition celebrating Richmond’s own tennis legend and his national legacy.

Giants: Art from the Dean Collection Exhibit

📅 Now – March 1, 2026
📍 Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, 200 N Arthur Ashe Blvd, Richmond, VA
Large-scale exhibition showcasing contributions of nearly 40 Black artists in contemporary art from the Dean Collection of Swizz Beatz and Alicia Keys.

The Heart and the Eye: Black Art Engagement Series

📅 February 1 – February 28, 2026
📍 Participating galleries across Richmond
Richmond’s three Black-owned galleries, Southside Contemporary, Chromophore Artspace, and HI•RES Gallery, are joining forces all month long to host artist talks, drawing sessions, live DJs, receptions, giveaways, and more.

Ayida – Group Exhibition

📅 Now through Feb 22, 2026
📍 Institute for Contemporary Art at VCU, 601 W Broad St, Richmond, VA
Celebrates the Caribbean and its diaspora through art inspired by Haitian poet Assotto Saint, exploring material, spiritual, and intellectual cultures.

Sculpting History at the Valentine Studio: Art, Power, and the “Lost Cause”

📅 Ongoing
📍 The Valentine Museum, 1015 E Cary St, Richmond, VA
Multimedia presentation examining the origins and influence of the “Lost Cause” myth and its impacts on Black Americans throughout history.

The Impending Crisis

📅 Ongoing in February 2026
📍 American Civil War Museum, 480 Tredegar St, Richmond, VA
Offers a broader view of the Civil War era that centers on those who were enslaved and Black congregations alongside traditional narratives.

Educational Programs

Defiant Spirit: John Dabney

📅 Wednesday, February 11, 2026

⏰ 6 - 8 p.m.
📍 Virginia Museum of History & Culture, 428 North Arthur Ashe Blvd, VA

Explore John Dabney’s life and legacy as a renowned mixologist and restaurateur while enjoying cocktails and small plates.

African Americans of Hanover County, Virginia Book Tour with Joe Gorman

📅 Friday, February 12; Saturday, February 21; Sunday, February 28, 2026
📍 Various Hanover locations (e.g., Hanover Tavern on Feb 12; Atlee Branch Library on Feb 21; Books, Beads & More on Feb 28)
Author Joe Gorman discusses his new book, highlighting African American contributions in Hanover County.

The History of Black Distillers and Brewers in America with Debra Freeman

📅 Thursday, February 12, 2026
⏰ 6:30 - 7:30 p.m.
📍 Clover Hill Library, 6701 Deer Run Dr, Midlothian, VA
Award-winning writer and podcaster Debra Freeman explores the history of Black distilling and brewing in America.

Genealogy Workshop – Finding Free Black Ancestors

📅 Thursday, February 13, 2026
⏰ 9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
📍 Library of Virginia, 800 E Broad St, Richmond, VA
Learn methods to research African American genealogy pre-Civil War using specialized records.

Un/Bound Highlight Tour

📅 February 14, 21, 28, 2026
⏰ 10:30 - 11 a.m.
📍 Virginia Museum of History & Culture, 428 North Arthur Ashe Blvd, VA
Join a 30-minute tour focusing on Un/Bound: Free Black Virginians, 1619-1865.

Richmond African American History Tour

📅 Weekly on Fridays and Saturdays
⏰ 2 - 3 p.m.
📍 Mama J’s Kitchen, 415 North First St, Richmond, VA
Explore the history of Richmond's black artists, business leaders, politicians, and innovators on this tour of the Jackson Ward neighborhood.

Richmond Municipal War of 1870: Dark History Tour

📅 Weekly on Saturdays
📍 Shockoe Bottom African Burial Ground, Broad and 15th St, Richmond, VA
Join this guided historic tour of one of Richmond's darkest chapters: the Municipal War of 1870, and explore the often-unheard history of Richmond during the Reconstruction Era, with the assistance of a professional historian guide.

Richmond Public Library – Black History Month Series

📅 Various dates in February 2026
📍 Richmond Public Library locations
Highlighted programs include:

• Black History Month: Main Matinee (Film Series) – 12 p.m. on Feb 5, Feb 12, Feb 19, Feb 26 (Main Library)

• Discussing Richmond’s Black History with Marvin L. Hicks – Feb 14, 1 p.m. (Hull Street Branch)

• Black History Month Storytime – Feb 18, 10 a.m. (East End Branch)

• African American Art at VMFA Lecture – Feb 18, 6 p.m. (Westover Hills Branch)

• Black History in the Making: A Conversation with Dr. Daryl Dance – Feb 19, 6 p.m. (Main Library)

• Black History: A Living Legacy! Social & Celebration – Feb 21, 1 p.m. (Broad Rock Branch)

• Black History Month Book Swap – Feb 24 - 25 (Hull Street Branch)

• Poetry Slam & Open Mic – Feb 25, 5 p.m. (Ginter Park Branch)

• Reclaiming Our Time Genealogy Discussion – Feb 27, 11 a.m. (Hull Street Branch)

• Black Art Bingo – Feb 28, 3 p.m. (Westover Hills Branch)

Henrico Public Library – Black History Month Series

📅 Various dates in February 2026
📍 Henrico County Public Library locations
Highlighted programs include:

• The Valentine Museum Presents: Soul of a Community — Feb 4, 6 - 7 p.m. (Varina)

• Black History Month Film Festival at Twin Hickory — 6:30 p.m. on Feb 4, 7, 11, 12 (Twin Hickory)

• Bright Star Theatre: Black History Hall of Fame

  • Feb 13, 10 - 11 a.m. (Libbie Mill)

  • Feb 13, 4 - 5 p.m. (Tuckahoe)

  • Feb 14, 11 a.m. - 12 p.m. (Fairfield)

• History Bingo: Henrico Black History Edition — Feb 14, 12 - 2 p.m. (Fairfield)

• From the Motherland: Legends & Tales of Africa — Feb 14, 2 - 3 p.m. (Libbie Mill)

• From Invisibility to Political Activism: Black Experience in American Art — Feb 14, 2 - 4 p.m. (Fairfield)

• Bold and Colorful Art

  • For Kids (ages 4-10): Feb 17, 10:30 - 11:30 a.m. (Glen Allen)

  • For Teens (grades 6-12): Feb 17, 4 - 5 p.m. (Glen Allen)

• Teen Art Studio: Resilience is Black Art — Feb 17, 6 - 8 p.m. (Varina)

• Discovery/Rediscovery of the Forgotten Story of the Richmond 34 — Feb 17, 6:30 - 7:30 p.m. (Twin Hickory)

• Prince Edward County, Virginia and the School Desegregation Story — Feb 18, 6:30 - 7:30 p.m. (Tuckahoe)

• Art in the Style of Black Giants — Feb 19, 4 - 5 p.m. (North Park)

• Great Films & Discussions — Feb 23, 6 - 8:30 p.m. (Gayton)

• The Underground Railroad to Mexico — Feb 28, 1 - 2 p.m. (Twin Hickory)

Chesterfield County Public Library – Black History Month Series

📅 Various dates in February 2026
📍 Chesterfield County Public Library locations

Highlighted programs include:

• Black History Month Kickoff Celebration — Feb 7, 12 - 3 p.m. (Virginia State University Gateway Dining and Event Center)

• Chesterfield African American Preservation Projects — Feb 10, 1 - 2 p.m. (Chesterfield Baptist)

• The Junior Wilson Show — Feb 10, 6:30 - 7:30 p.m. (Chester)

• Faces of Freedom, Stories of Service — Feb 11, 2 - 3 p.m. (Ettrick-Matoaca)

• The Vibe Check with Roberta Lee — Feb 14, 2 - 2:50 p.m. (North Courthouse Road)

• Tale of Two Stores — Feb 18, 2 - 4 p.m. (Ettrick-Matoaca)

• Soul of the Community - The Valentine Museum — Feb 19, 11:15 am - 12:25 p.m. (Bensley)

• Living Voices: The Right to Dream — Feb 19, 1 - 2 p.m. (Chesterfield Baptist)

• A Conversation with Coretta Scott King — Feb 19, 6:30 - 7:30 p.m. (LaPrade)

• Black History Month Market — Feb 21, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. (Beulah)

• The Calabash Experience — Feb 21, 10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. (Bon Air)

• The Legacy of Black Gardening — Feb 21, 2 - 3 p.m. at (Ettrick-Matoaca)

• No Distinction Being Made To Color — Feb 21, 2 - 4 p.m. (Pleasant View)

• L.E.T.S. Save Lives: Suicide Prevention for the Black Community — Feb 23, 6:30 - 7:30 p.m. (Meadowdale)

• Black History Poetry Slam — Feb 27, 1 - 3 p.m. (Stonebridge)

• Bright Star Theatre: Meet Dr. King — Feb 28, 10:30 - 11:30 a.m. (Midlothian)

• Bright Star Theatre: Black History’s Groundbreaking Geniuses — Feb 28, 2 - 3 p.m. at (Meadowdale)