Providing Opportunities for Social Connection During Black History Month

Every February, we commemorate Black History Month to celebrate, share and understand the achievements, impacts, heritage and culture of Black Americans. In addition to honoring the culture and history of Black Americans, Black History Month provides a meaningful opportunity to host social engagement activities for older adults. As you develop programming to celebrate Black History Month, consider incorporating opportunities for social engagement into those recognition events to help promote social connection among those you serve!  

Activities to Celebrate Black History Month

There are countless ways to organize Black History Month engagement programming at your organization that brings the entire community together. Here are a few ideas to inspire you.

  • Establish a book club and select books by acclaimed and emerging Black authors.

  • Organize watch parties for films or documentaries that explore Black history, culture and storytelling. Prepare discussion questions to guide conversation after each viewing.

  • Invite local politicians, professors, historians or other community members to provide education around Black history. Make sure to leave time for group reflection, discussion and sharing of personal experiences.

  • Plan cooking, dancing, music, art or trivia activities that celebrate Black culture and heritage.

  • Coordinate in-person or virtual art museum visits to view Black History Month exhibits. After the visits, provide an opportunity for a coffee or tea break so participants can reflect together.

  • Host an interactive lunch and learn where staff highlight the accomplishments of Black leaders, including Black leaders in your community, with time for group discussion.  

  • Conduct outreach events to reach more Black older adults and caregivers in your community with information about available programs and services.  

National Resources to Recognize Black History Month

Museums, nonprofits and other organizations across the country host Black History Month exhibits and learning opportunities every year. Consider tapping into these ideas and resources from national groups to help your community celebrate Black History Month.

Cultivate Opportunities for Engagement Year Round

Celebrating Black history and culture doesn’t stop at the end of February! For ideas on how your organization can celebrate Black and African American culture and foster opportunities for social connection throughout the year, consider replicating the following programs:

  • The Bayview Senior Services’ Intergenerational Program, developed by San Francisco Department of Disability and Aging Services, Office of Community Partnerships and Bayview Senior Services, provides culturally relevant creative arts activities for San Francisco’s Black and African American communities. Basing this program on creative arts like painting, beading, dancing and storytelling that also celebrate culture has helped to foster dialogue, build relationships and encourage a better understanding between generations.

  • The Weaving Wisdom program, developed as part of the Intergenerational Leadership Institute sponsored by the College of Agriculture, The Penn State University, University Park, increases social and cultural engagement through conversations on quilts and traditional African fabrics. The project brings together grandparents, parents, teenagers and children to discuss how quilted, woven and printed fabrics convey information about the history, culture, mores, hopes and dreams of individuals within a given culture and concludes with an art activity for all to participate in.

Learn more about these programs and more on the engAGED Social Engagement Innovations Hub!  

Rebecca Levine