AARP Texas celebrates Black History Month 2024

Every February, the U.S. honors the contributions, triumphs, and sacrifices of African Americans who have helped shape our nation. Black History Month also recognizes the rich cultural heritage that is part of our country’s history and fabric. For 2024, AARP is celebrating Black artists, age 50-plus, who are creating and helping their communities thrive.

AARP Texas invites you to an array of events from Texas, and around the country, in observance of Black History Month. Some events are in-person, while others are virtual. In addition to individual events, we’re pleased to showcase several exciting series that explore the creative arts, civil rights, hip hop and well-being, genealogy and our own personal health.

Most events are free and open to the public. Bookmark this page to keep up with our offerings, as we will be adding more events throughout the month. NOTE: all times shown here are Central Time.

To find events throughout the year, visit www.aarp.org/local

SINGLE EVENTS:  IN-PERSON & VIRTUAL

Feb. 2, 7 p.m. CT – Movies for Grown-ups: ‘Morgan Freeman: Breaking Barriers’  (Virtual)
Enjoy this documentary about Morgan Freeman, who has over 100 movies in his film count, five Oscar nominations and a win for Million Dollar Baby.
Register: https://watch.aarp.org/aarpmfg/play/65943a8fa3bbbe0072da0fdc

Feb. 14, 12 p.m. CT - Highlights of Black History in Connecticut (Virtual)
Come along on a guided tour of items at the Connecticut Museum of Culture and History representing a spectrum of the Black experience in the state.
Register: https://local.aarp.org/vcc-event/aarp-ct-webinar-wednesdays-black-history-in-connecticut-21424-tdnsvlhppk3.html

Feb. 15, 12 p.m. CT - Cooking Class: Pinto Beans and Cornbread (Virtual)
Join us in observing Black History Month and Heart Health Month! Cook along with Shaniqua Simuel, public health nutrition and cooking educator and founder of Change Your Palate, as she makes a childhood favorite, heart-healthy Pinto Beans and Cornbread.
Register: https://local.aarp.org/vcc-event/aarp-nc-mountain-region-presents-loved-with-food-with-shaniqua-simuel-2152024-b4nyyzj59gj.html

Feb. 15, 3 p.m. CT - Healthy Living: Cook a West African Peanut Stew (Virtual)
Chef Mary Weaver will demonstrate how to prepare a one-pot peanut stew, Maafe, a West African staple featuring sweet potatoes, tomatoes, greens and chicken, for a hearty, traditional meal.
Register: https://local.aarp.org/vcc-event/healthy-living-series-healthy-cooking-ri-21524-mnnqjspp4jg.html

Feb. 15-18 – Waco Family & Faith International Film Festival & Sweepstakes (In-person, Waco, TX)
Get inspired with the Waco Family & Faith Film Festival! AARP is a proud sponsor of this festival dedicated to empowering the creative spirit, serving with heart & celebrating all! We are giving one lucky winner 2 VIP Movie Passes to the festival.
For festival details and to enter the Sweepstakes: www.aarp.org/WacoFilmFest

Feb. 20, 12 p.m. CT - Brunch, Lunch and Munch: Crab Cakes and Greens (Virtual)
Let our Brunch, Lunch and Munch crew unleash your inner chef with recipes from culinary trailblazers - Robert W. Lee's famous crabcakes and Carla Hall's veggie collard greens. This series was created by AARP to elevate your cooking skills and please your palate.
Register: https://events.aarp.org/TX-220-Brunch

Feb. 22, 6 p.m. CT – A Conversation with Ruth E. Carter (Virtual)
Check out this special Black History Month episode of Real Conversations with AARP featuring the award-winning costume designer.
Register: https://local.aarp.org/vcc-event/real-conversations-with-aarp-ft-ruth-e-carter-6pnp2l4c22w.html

Feb. 21, 6 p.m. CT - Shapers of Lincoln’s Push for Racial Justice (Virtual)
Join Joseph Garrera, executive director of the Lehigh Valley Heritage Museum, in exploring the role African Americans played in helping President Abraham Lincoln promote racial justice.
Register: https://local.aarp.org/vcc-event/aarp-pa-lincolns-vanguard-for-racial-justice-2212024-n3ng38vd5q8.html

Feb. 22, 11 a.m. CT – AARP Tours of Juanita J. Craft Civil Rights House and Museum (In-person, Dallas, TX)
AARP Members have an exclusive tour day at the Juanita J. Craft Civil Rights House Museum. Ms. Craft dedicated her life to fighting for human rights. She lived in this house for 50 years, where President Lyndon B. Johnson and Martin Luther King, Jr., visited her to discuss civil rights.
Register: https://events.aarp.org/TX-222-Museum

VIRTUAL SERIES

Genealogy with AARP Houston and the Afro-American Historical & Genealogical Society (AAHGS) (Virtual)
Find your family tree with this fascinating, multi-faceted series.

• Feb. 21, 2 p.m. CT - Library Orientation: Clayton Genealogical Library Online Resources and Collections
  Are you interested in your family tree? AARP Houston and the AAHGS can help connect you to online resources and various library collections to get you started.
  Register: https://events.aarp.org/TX-221-Orient
• April 17, 2 p.m. CT - Mining for Gold with your DNA Results
  You've received your DNA results, so what do you do next? AARP in Houston and the AAHGS will walk you through the process of sifting through results to find your ancestors.
  Register: https://events.aarp.org/TX-417-DNA
• May 9, 2 p.m. CT - The Sugarland 95 and AAHGS
  Who are the Sugarland 95? The AAHGS discusses the 95 individuals unearthed on a Fort Bend ISD site, their ancestry and DNA studies, and revitalizing a historical cemetery and landmark.
  Register: https://events.aarp.org/TX-905-Sugarland
• June 11, 2 p.m. CT - Researching your 19th Century Family: Tools of the Trade
  AARP Houston and the AAHGS present “Finding Your Ancestors using Reconstruction Records.” The Reconstruction Era dates from 1863 until 1877.
  Registration link coming. Check back soon!

Our Health Matters Series with MD Anderson Cancer Center
AARP Houston is partnering with one of the world's most respected medical centers, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, so you can live your healthiest life. Join us virtually for these information-filled sessions on preventive tips to enhance your daily habits.

• Feb. 22, 11 a.m. CT - Healthy Weight, Healthy Life
  Healthy eating habits and physical activity are some of the best ways to maintain a healthy weight. - and a healthy weight reduces your risk for more than 10 types of cancer. Join AARP Houston and The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center for tips and tools to help you eat better, be more active and monitor your weight.
  Register: https://events.aarp.org/TX-222-Weight
• Mar. 28, 11 a.m. CT - Breaking Down Barriers: What Black Women Should Know About Breast Cancer
  Even though breast cancer is the most common cancer in women, Black women die more frequently from it. Join AARP Houston and The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center to learn how to be your own health advocate, learn about mammograms, signs and symptoms, and how to reduce your risk.
  Register: https://events.aarp.org/TX-328-Bcancer
  

February 2024, various dates/times - ASALH 98th Annual Black History Month Virtual Festival
The Association for the Study of African American Life & History (ASALH) hosts its 98th Annual Black History Month Virtual Festival. Sponsored by AARP, the festival celebrates “African Americans and The Arts,” in recognition of the massive contribution, influence and impact of Black art on global culture.
Visit: https://asalh.org/festival/ for details on the festival’s offerings and more.

Four Heroes of the Civil Rights Movement (Virtual)
The civil rights movement is one of the most important movements in 20th-century American history. This series, offered by George Mason University’s Osher Lifelong Learning Institute, looks at four civil rights leaders.

• Jan. 25 - Martin Luther King Jr. (No longer available)
• Feb. 1, 8:40 a.m. CT – Life and Contributions of the Congressman John Lewis
  Explore the life of the late Congressman John Lewis, the great-grandson of slaves, who survived beatings and went on to serve in Congress.
  Register: https://events.aarp.org/event/fb8d490c-74f7-4737-8154-4cac02525149/summary?environment=P2&i=6J_HOxyO-E6GTJ3_QpdJ2Q
• Feb. 8, 8:40 a.m. CT – Life and Contributions of Rosa Parks
  Delve into the life of Rosa Parks, the woman who launched the Montgomery Bus Boycott.
  Register: https://local.aarp.org/vcc-event/four-heroes-of-the-civil-rights-movement-session-3-2pn3vlfmwg7.html
• Feb. 15, 8:40 a.m. CT – Life and Contributions of Mary McLeod Bethune
  Meet Mary McLeod Bethune, who with $1.50, started a school for African American girls that eventually became Bethune-Cookman University.
  Register: https://local.aarp.org/vcc-event/four-heroes-of-the-civil-rights-movement-session-4-xvnpypp9b5r.html

Amplifying and Celebrating Black Art (Virtual)
In honor of Black History Month, join AARP for a series of virtual events exploring the vibrant, eclectic and dynamic legacy of Black artists.

• Feb 1, 11 a.m. CT – Storytelling in the Black Community
  Take an exciting look at the art of storytelling in the Black community.
  Register: https://local.aarp.org/aarp-event/amplify-the-celebration-of-black-arts-vrnt5bg28s7.html
• Feb. 15, 4:30 pm CT – Livestream Performance by the Singing Justice Project
  Enjoy the Singing Justice Project, a University of Michigan initiative centered around the work of Black musicians, singers, composers and poets.
  Register: https://local.aarp.org/vcc-event/hearing-black-voices-singing-justice-c5n6pypbz27.html
• Feb. 25, 1 p.m. CT – Livestream Performance by the Secret Society of Twisted Storytellers®
  Experience eight compelling storytellers tell true personal stories revolving around “Black Art and History” in this dynamic production of live storytelling.
  Register: https://events.aarp.org/event/storytellers2-25/summary

Revisiting the Underground Railroad (Virtual)
The Underground Railroad, characterized by tunnels and dark-of-night escapes, was far more complex than these ideas have led us to believe. This series revisits the Underground Railroad for a broader understanding of the movement.

• February 7, 5 pm CT – John Brown and Radical Empathy
  Join AARP New York, John Brown Lives! and the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation and explore the legacy of abolitionist John Brown.
  Register: https://local.aarp.org/vcc-event/aarp-ny-john-brown-and-radical-empathy-gdn5tntprdr.html
• February 14, 5pm CT- Revisiting the Underground Railroad
  Join AARP New York and Paul and Mary Liz Stewart, co-founders of Underground Railroad Education Center, as they share a new interpretation of the old story.
  Register: https://local.aarp.org/vcc-event/aarp-new-york-revisiting-the-underground-railroad-qsnpqph6f3g.html
• February 21, 5 pm CT - John W. Jones: Unsung American Hero
  Jones, who escaped slavery, became Underground Railroad stationmaster in Elmira, N.Y. He was responsible for the compassionate burial of 2,973 Confederate soldiers, and his records resulted in the designation of the National Cemetery.
  Register: https://local.aarp.org/vcc-event/aarp-new-york-john-w-jones-unsung-american-hero-ccnr4httx45.html

Hip Hop: Health, Wellness and Culture (Virtual)
Celebrate Black History Month while learning about hip hop’s effect on the wellness of people age 50+ and their families. This series is led by Dr. Jaleel K. Abdul-Adil, associate professor of clinical psychology and expert on the use of modern rap music and hip-hop culture to enrich psychosocial interventions for urban youth. 

• Feb. 15, 7:30 p.m. CT - Part 1: The History and Five Elements of Hip Hop 
  Explore the genesis of hip hop and the five foundational elements that bring the culture to life.
  Register: https://local.aarp.org/vcc-event/aarp-ca-hip-hop-health-wellness-culture-part-1-21524-nrnyyk445ch.html
• Feb. 22, 7:30 p.m. CT - Part 2: Engaging Hip Hop Impacts our Physical Health and Wellness
  Explore the long-term health and wellness benefits that are possible when one participates in various elements of hip hop.
  Register: https://local.aarp.org/vcc-event/aarp-ca-hip-hop-health-wellness-culture-part-2-22224-dpnmpywh6hf.html