Black History Month
The Celebration Of Black History Continues

February is Black History Month and there is still time to learn more about the notable African Americans that have played an important role in shaping our lives today.

Here’s a look at some upcoming events where Southeast Queensites can get a dose of Black history and culture:

Lewis Latimer moved his family to a quaint two-story home in Jamaica in 1906 — a home that is still standing, but has been moved to Leavitt Street and 14th Avenue Flushing to avoid being destroyed by development.

Latimer, who was the son of runaway slaves, worked with Thomas Edison to perfect the light bulb filament and handed in Alexander Bell’s patent application hours before another inventor tried to submit one.

He lived in New York with his wife and entertained the African American community there.  

On Feb. 26 and 27, children are invited to learn more about this historic Black Queensite as part of the “Latimer House Learning Experience.” The event will take place at the Latimer House located at 34-41 137th Street in Flushing from 10 a.m. to noon .

Quilting Exhibition Through Feb. 28

The Fourth Annual Art, Memorabilia, Poetry & Quilting Exhibition remains on display throughout February, Black History Month. The exhibition is presented by The York College/Community Commemorative Quilt Committee on Monday-Friday, 10:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. ; Saturdays, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. ; Sundays 1 to 5 p.m. at York College Performing Arts Center. York College is located at 94-20 Guy R. Brewer Blvd. in Jamaica . For more information, call 262-2000.

The subject of reparations for slavery will be discussed at York College on Feb. 24.

Historical Films

A series of historical films will be shown:

Feb. 19 – “Sankofa.”

Feb. 26 – “African Slave.”

African American Research Center , 4 to 6 p.m. , Academic Core Building , room 3B04.

African Americans In The Movies

A double-feature film program of African Americans in the Movies from 1919-1999.

Feb. 18 – “A Raisin in the Sun” (1961), “Super Fly” (1972)

Feb. 20 – “Brother From Another Planet” (1984), “Coming to America ” (1988)

Feb. 25 – “Boomerang” (1992), “Waiting to Exhale” (1999) shows are at 5 p.m. on the Big Screen in the Student Cafeteria.

Memorial Concert
Feb. 16

A memorial concert for Professor Dennis L. Moorman, long-time educator and jazz musician, will be held in the York College Performing and Fine Arts Department at 2 p.m. in the York College Performing Arts Center.

Gospel Saturdays
Feb. 22

A Gospel Concert featuring the Timothy Wright Concert Choir and several gospel choirs will be held at 3 p.m. in the York College Performing Arts Center.

Reparations History
Feb. 24

A History of Reparations presented by Concerned Black Faculty and staff. Speakers include Charles Barren,  Rodger Wareham, Esq., Viola Plummer and Erika Ford. 6 to 8 p.m. in the Academic Core Building , room 2D01.

Grand Finale
Feb. 27

“Out of the Mouths of Babes,” featuring children and young adults ages three to 20 performing music, drama, dance and poetry to commemorate and celebrate Black History Month will take place at 6 p.m. at the York College Performing Arts Center .

Jazz Concert

Zahir Abdul Batin and The Notorious Ensemble will bring with them the creative vibration of Sluggs, Club Baron and Sun Ra’s Arkestra, and his exploits with Sam Rivers, Archie Shepp, Frank Foster, Howard McGee, Jaki Bayard, Hamiett Bluiett, Bobby Watson, Cecil Bridgewater and countless others on Saturday, Feb. 15 at 8 p.m.

Tonal Artistes Orchestra

Have a mid-Sunday Brunch, fellowship with progressive brothers and sisters, while enjoying music designed to elevate, entertain and enlighten. Tonal Artistes Orchestra is the cream of big band arrangements with its eloquence and power. The event will also feature Tonal Artista “Poet in Residence” Leontyne Watts’ “Watts Walkons” and Barbara Aliprantis, an award-winning storyteller. Aliprantis celebrates multicultural storytelling through family stories, the immigrant experience and tales from world folklore. The event will take place on Sunday, Feb. 23 from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Donation is $10.

The Afrikan Poetry Theatre is located at 176 -03 Jamaica Ave., Jamaica . For tickets, reservations and information, call 523-3312.

A Master Writers Workshop Series

A nine-session fall/winter/spring series, designed to bring to the local community some of the best of the African American literary tradition, continues with Tehut Nine.

Tehut-Nine was born in the Caribbean island of Jamaica . He has been writing and performing poetry for many years. Venues such as the world famous Apollo Theatre, Madison Square Garden , The Cotton Club, The Nuyorican Poets Café and countless colleges and universities around the U.S. and Canada have been blessed by his performances. He has also toured in Europe , including England , Scotland , Germany , Italy , France and Switzerland . As an artist/activist, Tehut Nine has shared the stage and worked with artists and activists such as MC Lyte, Rev. Al Sharpton, D’Angelo, Cornel West, Mary J. Blige, Ivan Van Sertima, Mos Def, Wyclef, etc. Tehut Nine has two books (The Fire In Me and Mental Eye-roglyphics) and a spoken world album titled “Mind Magician.” Currently Tehut Nine is working on his sophomore album which will be released this March.

The workshop will held on Feb. 22, 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. A $10 donation is requested.

Heritage Concert

The United Heritage Choir will perform in concert on Feb. 15 at 7 p.m. at the St. Albans Congregational Church, 172-17 Linden Blvd. in St. Albans . The concert will feature The Liturgical Dancers of St. Albans Church and the Academy Choruses of I.S. 59. Admission is free. For more information, call 657-8282.

Black History Month At The Museum of Television & Radio

The Museum of Television & Radio celebrates Black History Month with two programs directed by renowned filmmaker Spike Lee. Throughout February the Museum in New York will screen the Peabody Award-winning program “A Huey P. Newton Story,” featuring a bravura performance by Roger Guenveur Smith, and Lee’s student film “Joe’s Bed-Stuy Barbershop: We Cut Heads,” which aired on public television. In addition to scheduled screenings, visitors may choose from a selection of documentaries, children’s programs, dramas, and news coverage that chronicle both the history and artistry of African-Americans and can view them at a private console.

Television has been a vital medium for documenting key moments in black history and culture – from Martin Luther King, Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech during the 1963 march on Washington and Alex Haley’s 1977 miniseries “Roots” to Court TV’s televising of the trial of the New York City policemen accused of killing Amadou Diallo in 2000.

The Museum of Television & Radio in New York , located at 25 West 52nd St. in Manhattan , is open Tuesday through Sunday from 12 to 6 p.m. , until 8 p.m. on Thursday and Friday evenings until 9 p.m. (theaters only or you may call the Museum at (212) 621-6800 or visit the Museum’s website at www.mtr.org.

Combined in a Who’s Who of 30 notable and talented Harlem residents, the photographic exhibit “Harlem Is, Celebrating the Living History of Harlem,” opened on Feb. 7 and runs through April 6 at Aaron Davis Hall, 135th Street and Convent Avenue in Harlem.

The exhibit is presented in collaboration with Con Edison and Community Works, a public art and education project. The multi-media project also will be displayed in a more compact format through Aug. 31 at the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture at 515 Malcolm X Boulevard at 135th Street, Harlem .