Black History Month, or African American History Month, is celebrated nationally each year during February. It is a time to highlight the contributions and achievements of African Americans, as well as the struggles for freedom and equality. Celebrate the beauty and history of African American culture. Below you will find Black History Month events in NJ and plenty of ways to celebrate and learn about Black History with your family. Although Black History Month is celebrated nationally in February, don’t limit it to only one month of the year. Here is your guide to Black History Month Events & Celebrations in NJ.

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Black History Month Events & Celebrations in NJ

2024 Events in NJ

Black History Game Night for Families
February 1-29, 2024
Virtual Event

Black History Month Film Series
February 1, 8, 15, 22 & 29, 2024
Englewood Public Library
Englewood, NJ

Cookie Decorating Class – Black History Month
February 3, 2024 at 11AM – 2PM
Glassy Brown Cookies
Cherry Hill Mall
Cherry Hill, NJ

Who was/is …. Book Club
February 8, 2024 at 6PM – 7PM
Cranford Public Library
Cranford, NJ

Swahili Storytime: Black History Month Edition
February 10, 2024 at 2PM – 2:45PM
Montclair Public Library
Montclair, NJ

Follow the Drinking Gourd
February 17 & 24, 2024 at 3PM
Raritan Valley Community College
RVCC Planetarium
Branchburg, NJ

Guided House Tour: Eyewitness to Black History
February 18, 2024 at 12PM, 1PM and 2PM
Montclair History Center
Montclair, NJ

Educating Concert Celebrating Black History Month
February 23, 2024 at 10AM – 11AM
Union County Performing Arts Center
Rahway, NJ

Lawrence High School Black History Celebration
February 24, 2024
Lawrence High School 
Lawrenceville, NJ

4th Annual African American Read-In
February 24, 2024 at 11AM – 1PM
Piscataway Public Library
Piscataway, NJ

Black History Month Celebration Concert
February 25, 2024 at 3PM
Union County Performing Arts Center
Rahway, NJ

Annual Oratory Contest in Honor of Black History Month
February 26-28, 2024
City Hall Council Chambers
Jersey City, NJ

Black History Month Poetry Workshop
February 28, 2024 at 6PM – 7:30PM
Montclair Public Library
Montclair, NJ

Black History Cultural Attractions, Landmarks and Exhibits in NJ

Stoutsburg Sourland African American Museum
Skillman, NJ

Paul Robeson House of Princeton
Princeton, NJ

Albert E. Hinds Memorial Walking Tour: African American Life in Princeton
Princeton, NJ

Hinchliffe Stadium
Paterson, NJ

Shady Rest Golf and Country Club
Scotch Plains, NJ

Afro-American Historical Society Museum
Jersey City, NJ

The Newark Museum of Art – Arts of Global Africa
Newark, NJ

Peter Mott House
Lawnside, NJ

Dr. James Still Historic Office Site and Education Center
Medford, NJ

African American Heritage Museum of Southern New Jersey
Atlantic City, NJ

The Harriet Tubman Museum of New Jersey
Cape May, NJ

African American Heritage Walking Tour of Cape May
Cape May, NJ

Underground Railroad Trolley Tours
Cape May, NJ

Black History Children’s Book Recommendations

Read these books as a starting point for conversations with your child about African American history.

Why Do Mosquitoes Buzz In People’s Ears by Verna Aardema

What Color Is My World?: The Lost History of African-American Inventors by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar & Raymond Obstfeld

The Story of Ruby Bridges by Robert Coles

Rosa by Nikki Giovanni

Henry’s Freedom Box by Ellen Levine

Anansi The Spider by Gerald McDermott

Ashanti to Zulu: African Traditions by Margaret Musgrove

Heart and Soul: The Story of America and African Americans by Kadir Nelson

Sit In: How Four Friends Stood Up by Sitting Down by Andrea Davis Pinkney

Martin’s Big Words: The Life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. by Doreen Rappaport

Let Them Play by Margot Theis Raven

Testing the Ice: A True Story About Jackie Robinson by Sharon Robinson

Linda Brown, You Are Not Alone: The Brown vs. Board of Education Decision by Joyce Carol Thomas

My Name Is Truth: The Life Of Sojourner Truth by Ann Turner

Moses: When Harriet Tubman Led Her People to Freedom by Carole Boston Weatherford

Follow the Drinking Gourd by Jeanette Winter

Get Involved in the Community

1. Join the NAACP. Did you know that you do not have to be a person of color to belong to the NAACP? You just have to believe in civil rights for all!

2. Make sure your friends and family are registered to vote. NJ Voter Registration Form

3. Support Black-Owned Businesses in your community.

Black History Home Activity

Celebrate Black History Month all year long with a family-friendly Black History Bingo Game.