Black History Month Events in Westchester 2026

Black History Month events in Westchester County are being recognized by arts organizations through a wide range of exhibitions, performances, film screenings and public programs. Together, these events highlight Black historic and creative contributions as part of the county’s ongoing cultural landscape.

January 31 – March 6, 2026
Black History and Culture: Revolutionary Legacies
presented by Bethany Arts Community
The 6th annual Black History and Culture: Revolutionary Legacies exhibit at Bethany Arts Community explores the impact of African Americans on freedom and culture from 1776 to today. Curated by Joyce Sharrock Cole, the exhibit uses art, artifacts, photography and interactive installations to examine how Black Americans have shaped social, political and cultural life, with each gallery connected to a line from the Declaration of Independence. Curator-led tours are scheduled for February 4 and 18. (40 Somerstown Rd, Ossining)

February 1–27, 2026
Black History Month Exhibit presented by The Lincoln Park Conservancy
presented by The Lincoln Park Conservancy at New Rochelle Public Library
The Lincoln Park Conservancy’s Black History Month exhibit is on display in the Lumen Winter Gallery at New Rochelle Public Library throughout February. The exhibit highlights the Harlem Renaissance, the cultural movement of the 1920s and 1930s that reshaped American art, literature, music and political thought. (1 Library Plaza, New Rochelle)

February 1–March 1, 2026
Black History Month: Featured Shop Artist Bobby Scroggins
presented by Clay Art Center
The shop at Clay Art Center presents a Black History Month feature that highlights the work of Kentucky artist Bobby Scroggins. The presentation throughout February includes handmade functional ceramics such as teapots, mugs, bowls and vessels. Scroggins’ practice explores balance, intention and responsiveness to unexpected outcomes within the creative process. (40 Beech Street, Port Chester)

February 2, 9, 16 & 23, 2026
Ain’t No Back to a Merry-Go-Round
presented by The Picture House Regional Film Center (Bronxville)
This documentary examines a 1960 civil rights protest in which five Howard University students were arrested for sitting on a segregated carousel. Their arrests prompted the local Jewish community to join the students, resulting in one of the first organized interracial civil rights demonstrations in the U.S. The film, directed by Emmy Award–winning Ilana Trachtman, combines archival footage and firsthand reflections to show how collective action influenced social change. (84 Kraft Ave, Bronxville, NY)

Tuesday, February 3, 2026
Black History Month Celebration
presented by the Office of the Westchester County Executive
Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins hosts a Black History Month observance at the Michaelian Office Building in White Plains. The event provides an opportunity to recognize and reflect on the achievements, contributions and cultural heritage of Black Americans. (148 Martine Avenue, White Plains)

Tuesdays: February 3, 17 & 24, 2026
Power & Popcorn: Celebrating Black History Month Through Film
presented by Yonkers Public Library
This Black History Month film series presents three feature films that explore Black identity, creativity and achievement through different lenses. Screenings include American Fiction, a satirical examination of authorship and cultural expectation; The Color Purple, a multigenerational story centered on resilience and personal transformation; and King Richard, which chronicles family, mentorship and ambition. Films screen on Tuesday afternoons. (Grinton I. Will Library, 1500 Central Park Avenue, Yonkers)

February 6, 2026
Free First Fridays: Bobby LaVell Jazz Quintet
presented by Hudson River Museum
Two live jazz sets by the Bobby LaVell Jazz Quintet will draw from original works and the American Songbook. LaVell, a long-time Yonkers resident, has performed internationally with artists including Ray Charles, B.B. King and Cab Calloway. This Black History Month event is part of the Museum’s Free First Fridays series. (511 Warburton Ave, Yonkers)

Friday, February 6, 2026
Friday Night Concert: The Bradford Hayes Quartet
presented by New Rochelle Public Library
Jazz takes center stage at New Rochelle Public Library’s Ossie Davis Theater with a high-energy performance by the Bradford Hayes Quartet. Known for his commanding presence and lyrical style, Hayes has built a career performing at major jazz venues and collaborating with some of the genre’s most respected musicians. (Main Library, 1 Library Plaza, New Rochelle)

Saturday, February 7, 2026
Soulful Flavors: A Black Diaspora Culinary Journey
presented by Bethany Arts Community
This Black History Month program explores African and African American culinary traditions through a guided tasting experience. Guests sample Sierra Leonean dishes alongside American soul food. Storytelling accompanies the tastings, highlighting how these cuisines reflect cultural identity, heritage, and resilience across the African diaspora. (40 Somerstown Rd, Ossining, NY)

February 7-March 7, 2026
Roots: Black History and Heritage
presented by Blue Door Art Center
Roots is a Black History Month exhibition exploring themes of heritage, identity and cultural lineage. The exhibition, curated by artists Khuumba Ama and David Dixon, brings together works across multiple media, reflecting how personal and collective histories shape artistic expression. An opening reception takes place on February 7. (13 Riverdale Avenue, Yonkers)

Tuesday, February 10, 2026
Groundbreaking Black Comedians
presented by Yonkers Public Library
This Black History Month program examines the careers and cultural impact of eight influential Black comedians who reshaped American comedy. Through a guided presentation, audiences explore how figures like Dick Gregory, Redd Foxx, Richard Pryor and Eddie Murphy challenged racial barriers and introduced new comedic voices to mainstream audiences. The program is offered with both in-person and online viewing options. (Grinton I. Will Library, Computer Room, 1500 Central Park Avenue, Yonkers)

Sunday, February 15, 2026
Honoring Jimmy Cliff: The Harder They Come
presented by The Picture House (Pelham)
The evening honors the legacy of Jimmy Cliff through a remastered screening of The Harder They Come, a movie that introduced Jamaican music, culture and cinema to international audiences. The evening also includes a reception, curated video presentations and a panel discussion examining the film’s musical and cultural influence.  (175 Wolfs Lane, Pelham)

Wednesday, February 18, 2026
Bamboozled
presented by Jacob Burns Film Center
Screened as part of the New Classics series, Spike Lee’s Bamboozled explores race, satire and media representation in contemporary culture. Through dark comedy, the film critiques the entertainment industry’s portrayal of African Americans and examines social tensions around identity and artistic expression. 35mm screenings are at 1:00 PM and 7:00 PM. (364 Manville Rd, Pleasantville)

Thursday, February 19, 2026
Spin a Soft African Story, Sing a Soft African Song
presented by New Rochelle Public Library
International storyteller and singer Therese Folkes Plair leads children ages 4–12 through a program of storytelling and music. The session draws from the African diaspora and introduces young audiences to themes of heritage, creativity and oral tradition through tributes to influential figures like Nikki Giovanni, Ella Jenkins and Efua Sutherland. (Meeting Room, Main Library, 1 Library Plaza, New Rochelle)

Saturday, February 21, 2026
Bokandeye African Dance Performance
presented by New Rochelle Public Library
Bokandeye African Dance’s performance draws on rhythms, movement and folklore from the Senegambia region to weave together traditional West African dance, music and storytelling. (Ossie Davis Theater, Main Library, 1 Library Plaza, New Rochelle)

Monday, February 23, 2026
Daughters of the Dust
presented by Jacob Burns Film Center
Julie Dash’s Daughters of the Dust follows three generations of a Gullah family in the early 20th century. The film, the first wide-release feature directed by a Black woman, highlights heritage, family and migration. (364 Manville Rd, Pleasantville)

Saturday, February 28, 2026
A Musical Tribute to the Legends of Motown
presented by Yonkers Public Library
This Black History Month concert features vocalist Emilie Surtees and her band performing music from Motown’s most influential artists such as The Supremes, The Temptations and Martha Reeves, reflecting on Motown’s role in shaping American popular music. (Riverfront Library, Riverfront Auditorium, One Larkin Center, Yonkers)

Saturday, February 28 & Sunday, March 1, 2026
The Princess and the Frog
presented by Jacob Burns Film Center
The film highlights African American representation in mainstream animation and includes a sensory-friendly screening. The main character, a young girl named Tiana, pursues her dreams while navigating family, community and identity. (364 Manville Rd, Pleasantville)

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