Experience, Support & Learn More About Black History Month in Winston-Salem and Charlotte

The Wake Forest School of Professional Studies invites you to join us in embracing and honoring Black History Month and the incredible contributions the African-American community has made throughout U.S. history. 

We celebrate the Black history that’s being made today and every day; we are committed to taking action today and every day – not only this month, but throughout the year as we reflect on what diversity and inclusion looks like for Wake SPS and what systemic change is possible. 

This month, we encourage you to experience, support, and learn about Black History Month with these events and opportunities in the Winston-Salem and Charlotte communities.

PLEASE NOTE: This post highlights several events and experiences – but certainly not all. We invite you to explore more via your local newspapers or events pages.

DID YOU KNOW…

• Black History month was officially recognized in 1976 by President Gerald Ford, but it was first celebrated by students and educators at Kent State in February 1970
• This year’s theme for Black History Month is: Black Resistance – A Journey to Equality
• This video from the National Museum of African American History and Culture shares more information about the history of the movement and the 2023 theme 
• Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. spoke at Wake Forest College on October 11, 1962; the Winston-Salem Journal covered the event; read the story here 

EXPERIENCE
WINSTON-SALEM

• Attend the Face to Face event with Bryan Stevenson, founder and executive director of the Equal Justice Initiative (EJI), a human rights organization in Montgomery, Alabama and author of the critically acclaimed New York Times bestseller, Just Mercy. Don’t miss this amazing high-profile opportunity on February 23, register today and guarantee your seat!  REGISTER FOR RESERVED SEATS HERE BY FEBRUARY 14th

• Attend the Black History Month Coffee House – Wednesday, February 15 at Shorty’s (1834 Wake Forest Rd, W-S) from 6-8pm – Join the Intercultural Center and the Office of Student Engagement for a night of poetry, spoken word, and music. Wake students will be able to perform and performances will be made by spoken word artist Kyla Lacey. RSVP.
• Attend the Black-Owned Business Expo at Hanes Mall on Feb 25th from 11am – 5pm. Come learn more about, celebrate, and support local Black owned businesses throughout the area!

CHARLOTTE

• Visit the Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts & Culture

• Attend the 2023 North Carolina Black Heritage Festival – Sunday, February 26 from 1-5pm at Cabarrus Arena Events Center, 4751 NC 49 in Concord (admission is free). The festival will feature performances, more than 100 Black-owned businesses, crafts and food. There will also be giveaways and activities for kids.

• Participate in the National African American Read-In on February 18 from 10am-2pm at the Sugar Creek Charter School, 4101 N Tryon Street in Charlotte.

• Attend Celebrating 50 Years of Hip Hop with the Come Up – February 22 from 6:30-8:30pm at the Harvey B. Gantt Center for African American Arts & Culture, 551 S. Tryon Street in Charlotte. New York Times journalist and best-selling author Jonathan Abrams has created a compilation of the oral history of hip hop in his latest work, The Come Up. Join us as he shares some of the countless stories that will give you a deeper understanding of the magic that is such an integral part of the culture. The program features Abrams’ unique journey collecting this rich history, including a brief reading, followed by an audience talkback and book signing. Guests can purchase The Come Up during the program for the signing. Registration required.

• Attend the African American Heritage Festival – February 23-25 from 11am-5pm at the Charlotte Museum of History, 3500 Shamrock Dr in Charlotte. Admission is free.

• Attend the Black-Owned Business Showcase on February 26 from 2-4pm at the SouthPark Regional Library, 7015 Carnegie Blvd in Charlotte. Meet successful African American entrepreneurs from the Charlotte community from various industries for a motivational and enlightening afternoon of information and networking. Registration is required

To learn about more events, we encourage you to explore these articles from CharlotteFive and Charlotte on the Cheap 

SUPPORT BLACK-OWNED BUSINESSES AND ORGANIZATIONS

Take the time to try something new or support a favorite!  

WINSTON-SALEM BUSINESSES INCLUDE (but not limited to):

• ByGood Coffee 
• Taste of the Triad Restaurant 
• Sweet Potatoes Restaurant
• Forsyth Seafood Market & Cafe
• Big C Waffles (Did you know: It’s located in Kernersville, NC but had a stand at WFU Football games this past season) 
• Bingo-Bango Fresh Fruit Soda Company (Did you know: You can buy their soda around town and also on the Wake Forest University campus) 
• Dream Kreams Ice Cream 
• Oh My Goodness Wellness Bar (Spa & Massage)
• Product by Lizzie (all natural products for home, bath & body, hair and skincare)
• Career Maven Consulting, Founder Tiffany Tate (Did you know: Tiffany is a Double Deac!)

PHILANTHROPIC ORGANIZATIONS TO SUPPORT INCLUDE:

• Black Philanthropy Initiative of Winston-Salem
• The Winston-Salem Foundation
• North Carolina Black Alliance

CHARLOTTE BUSINESSES INCLUDE (but not limited to)

• Popbar- Gelato on a Stick
• Jazzy Cheesecakes
• Two Scoops Creamery
• What The Fries -CLT (@whatthefriesclt on IG)
• Leah and Louise Restaurant
• Mert’s Heart & Soul Restaurant
• LuLu’s Maryland Style Chicken & Seafood
• The Cocktailery
• Evoke Coffee
• Mad Miles Run Club
• Charlotte Fit Studio
• Elevation Beauty & Nail Spa 
• The Brown Sugar Collab (all natural products for home, bath & body, hair and skincare)
• MacFly Fresh Screen Printing Company 
• Nyoni Couture Menswear
• Pretty Honest Candles 
• Urban Reader Bookstore

Learn about Charlotte Black-Owned or read the 2022 Axios article on Black-owned businesses in the Queen City; explore more places in 12 Places to Find Black-Owned Businesses to Support and follow @cltblackowned on IG