Fifteen ways to celebrate Black History Month

During Black History Month, it can be hard to think of ways to celebrate both the famous black people who came before us and those who are currently making history. Check out these 15 ways you can honor this important holiday, both during February and throughout the year.

1.     Support local black owned businesses, like Aiken photographer Tory Robins or Augusta’s leading vegan restaurant, juice bar and art gallery, Humanitree House.

2.     Visit the Center For African American History, Art and Culture in Aiken.

3.     Read a novel by a contemporary black author, such as “The Good Lord Bird” by James McBride.

4.     Attend the 10th Annual Black History Jazz Concert from 6 to 9 p.m. February 29 at the Lessie B. Price Senior Youth Center.

5.     Listen to some live music by black artists in Augusta at Garden City Jazz.

6.     Watch Season 6, episode 1 of “Chefʼs Table” on Netflix to learn about Chef Mashama Bailey and then visit her restaurant, The Grey, in Savannah.

7.     Join an organization that is continuing the fight for civil rights, like the NAACP, The Trevon Martin Foundation or My Brotherʼs Keeper.

8.     Take a pilgrimage to the Legacy Museum in Montgomery, AL to learn about the history of slavery in the America and how it later evolved into segregation, followed by mass incarceration of black Americans.

9.     See an oral presentation at the Aiken Historical Museum at 2 p.m. on Feb. 29, by the Larke Family of Beech Island. Their roots go back hundreds of years to the notorious Silver Bluff plantation, owned by Governor James Henry Hammond.

10.  Visit the Lucy Craft Laney Museum of Black History to learn about influential black educators of Georgia.

11.  Learn about black jockeys at the Aiken Thoroughbred Racing Hall of Fame and Museum at Hopeland Gardens in Aiken.

12.  Visit with black elders and listen to the stories they tell.

13.  Read the work of a black poet, like Porsha Olayiwola.

14.  Dive into the history of Paine College, a historically black college in Augusta.

15.  Register to vote and cast your ballot.