Page 4 The Skanner Portland & Seattle February 21, 2024
Black History Month
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 12-3PM
URBAN LEAGUE OF PORTLAND BLACK HISTORY MONTH CELEBRA-
TION: Let’s come together celebrate the past and inspire the
future. The event is FREE, and guests will enjoy light refresh-
ments, kids activities, crafts, spoken word and more. Join us!
Beaverton Resource Center, 13565 SW Walker Rd, Beaverton.
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 5-7PM
BLACK HISTORY MONTH CELEBRATION MARKET AT UNIVERSITY OF
PORTLAND: This event will bring together and celebrate Black-
owned businesses in the Portland area. There will be different
vendors with savory food, drinks, desserts and raffles for every-
one to enjoy. This is a drop-in, free event and all are welcome.
Chiles Center, University of Portland, 5000 N Willamette Blvd
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2-4PM
BLACK HISTORY MONTH: HONORING BLACK HERITAGE THROUGH
ART: Explore various techniques used by African/Black artists,
while incorporating your own style! Made possible by The Na-
tional Endowment for the Humanities Fund of The Library Foun-
dation. Register online at the library’s website. Gresham Library,
385 NW Miller Ave, Gresham
See Community Calendar on page 5
WORLD TELEGRAM STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER/WIKIMEDIA COMMONS
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 6-9PM
NARPSKI & FRIENDS—A BIPOC FILM SHOWCASE: Snow sports are
often a homogenous space and most snow sport films reflect
that. We hope these films inspire new perspectives and high-
light a message: people of color belong on the slopes. Guests
will receive a free raffle ticket and a free drink ticket to redeem
one beer at the bar. Additional drinks and food will be available
for purchase. Tickets on a sliding scale from $0-20. Polaris Hall,
635 N Killingsworth Court.
Hurston
The Skanner News
F
rom music and dance to litera-
ture, visual arts, and beyond,
Black creatives have played
pivotal roles in shaping cul-
tural narratives, challenging soci-
etal norms and leaving an indeli-
ble mark on the world of art.
Music
The realm of music is one of the
arenas in which Black artists have
significantly affected global cul-
ALLAN WARREN/WIKIMEDIA COMMONS
NMY SIBLING’S KEEPER: BLACK, TRANS, & QUEER LEGENDS CON-
NECT: Black and Beyond the Binary Collective are excited to
host our next panel during Black History Month. This free, virtu-
al panel will center on accessibility, Black liberation, and creat-
ing inclusive spaces for all! Malakai Strong, Maxwell Joy Moore,
Roux Haile, and Yante Turner will provide us with a Black, Trans,
& Queer perspective on Disability and Disability Justice. Regis-
ter at blackbeyondthebinarycollective.org.
Coates
Baldwin
ture.
From the rhythmic
beats of jazz and blues
to the soulful melodies
of gospel and the elec-
trifying energy of hip-
hop, Black musicians
have pioneered genres
that transcend borders.
Icons like Duke El-
lington, Billie Holiday,
Aretha Franklin, and
contemporary figures
like Beyoncé and Ken-
drick Lamar achieved
immense commercial
success and used their
platforms to address
social justice issues and
advocate for change.
Dance
Dance is another
realm where Black Ellington
artists have left an
enduring legacy.
The evolution of dance,
from the spirited rhythms of
traditional African dances
to the innovation of hip-hop
choreography, demonstrates
the profound influence of
Black creativity. Pioneers
like Alvin Ailey revolution-
ized modern dance, blend-
ing
African-American
experiences with artistic ex-
pression to create evocative
performances that continue
to captivate audiences world-
wide.
Literature
Literature, too, bears the
unmistakable imprint of
Black voices.
From the Harlem Renais-
sance to the present day,
Black writers have crafted
narratives that illuminate
the Black experience, chal-
lenge stereotypes and con-
tribute to the rich tapestry of
American literature.
Literary luminaries such as
Langston Hughes, Zora Neale
Hurston, James Baldwin and
contemporary voices like
Toni Morrison and Ta-Nehi-
si Coates have reshaped sto-
rytelling, providing insights
into the complexities of race,
identity and resilience.
Visual Arts
Visual arts, encompassing
painting, sculpture and pho-
tography, have also been pro-
CARL VAN VECHTEN, PUBLIC DOMAIN/WIKIMEDIA COMMONS
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 1-3PM
This year’s Black History Month places the theme
“African Americans and the Arts” at center stage, inviting
a profound reflection on the immense influence of Black Americans
on the diverse landscape of artistic expression.
FARM SECURITY ADMINISTRATION/OFFICE OF WAR INFORMATION COLLECTION
Portland Metro
Celebrating Black Influence
EDUARDO MONTES-BRADLEY/WIKIMEDIA COMMONS
Community
Calendar 2024
Ailey
foundly influenced by Black artists.
From the vibrant works of Romare
Bearden to the politically charged
paintings of Kara Walker, Black vi-
sual artists have utilized their craft
to challenge perceptions and con-
tribute to a broader conversation
about representation and identity.
As we celebrate “African Amer-
icans and the Arts” during Black
History Month in 2024, it is an
opportunity to recognize the pro-
found effect of Black creatives
across artistic disciplines. Their
contributions
have
enriched
the cultural fabric of America
and served as catalysts for social
change and understanding.
The theme invites us to reflect on
the enduring legacy of Black artists,
acknowledging the power of the
arts to transcend boundaries, foster
inclusivity and amplify the diverse
voices that contribute to the vibrant
mosaic of human expression.