Black History Month honors the contributions of African Americans to United States history. It was first created as a week-long celebration in 1926, and became a month-long celebration in 1976. It takes place in the month of February to coincide with the birthdays of Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln.
There is a lot to be celebrated in this historic month, including the founding of the NAACP and other famous firsts in the African American community. And in Gwinnett, there are several ways you can acknowledge these achievements.
Black History Month STEM Family Storytime Feb. 10, 2026 @ Gwinnett Public Library - Dacula Branch
DAC is teaming up with local Gwinnett Author Patrice McLaurin for this year's Black History STEM program! Enjoy a story time featuring award winning ¨Have You Thanked an Inventor Today¨ followed by interactive activities that kids can do that reinforces STEM elements.
Culture: Honoring Black Voices Trivia Night Feb. 10, 2026 @ Gwinnett County Public Library - Centerville Branch
Join us for an exciting game of family trivia. Have some family fun and let's see how much you know about who, when, and Wow factors in black culture.
Connect: Celebrating Black History Feb. 11, 2026 @ Gwinnett County Public Library - Norcross Branch
In honor of Black History Month, participants will work with clay pots, symbolic of the soil used in African pottery and African ethnic wax print patterns, to create clay planters for faux succulents.
Community: Black Trailblazers Feb. 12, 2026 @ Gwinnett Public Library - Dacula Branch
Come and learn about some of the influential black people who broke barriers and contributed to enriching the world.
Celebrate Black History Month Evening Feb. 9, 2026 @ Gwinnett Public Library-Lilburn (Five Forks) Branch
Interactive story time and hands on learning stations.
A Taste of Black Gwinnett - Black History 2026 Edition Feb. 27, 2026 @ Norcross Cultural Arts & Community Center
Enjoy food, live music, and cultural performances honoring Black heritage.
Jackie Robinson: A Game Apart Feb. 17-20, 2026 @ The Lawrenceville Arts Center
Written and performed by Mike Wiley. A powerful lesson of perseverance, dedication and leadership. Part of Aurora Theatre Learning Library. Perfect for middle school and high school students and 3rd graders where Jackie Robinson is included in the school curriculum.
2026 Black History Month Heritage Night Celebration Feb. 11, 2026 @ Gwinnett Justice and Administration Center
Join a community celebration with live performances and speakers honoring Black history.
African American Folktales by Aurora Children's Playhouse Feb. 21, 2026 @ The Lawrenceville Arts Center home of the Aurora Theatre
Experience the rich folklore of African-American culture this Black History Month. From the tricks of Anansi & Brer Rabbit, to the sounds & rhythms of the talking drum, this show is the perfect way to see the African storytelling tradition in action.
Author Talk: Terah Shelton Harris Feb. 20, 2026 @ Duluth Library Branch
Join acclaimed author Terah Shelton Harris as she discusses her newest novel, "Where the Wildflowers Grow," a poignant story of survival and redemption that questions what it means to stop existing and start living.
Explore Black History Bus Tour Feb. 21, 2026 @ Lawrenceville Female Seminary
Celebrate Black History Month and learn on a bus tour throughout Gwinnett County. Hosted in partnership with the United Ebony Society.
Greenwood Culture Festival Feb. 21, 2026 @ Lucky Shoals Community Recreation Center
Music, food and a parade in celebration of Black History Month. Vendors welcome!
Black History Month Poetry Slam Feb. 21, 2026 @ Gwinnett Community Resource Center at Bethany Church Road
Join us for an inspiring event where participants will share and perform spoken word poetry highlighting the rich contributions, experiences, and stories of Black history.
Legacy Reimagined: Black History Month Celebration Feb. 21, 2026 @ Gwinnett Community Resource Center at Bethany Church Road
You're invited to explore local, state, and national history — from the Southern Gwinnett "Promised Land" to the APEX Museum and beyond. Community vendors, organizations, and businesses are welcome to participate.
Black Military History Feb. 20, 2026 @ Bethesda Park Senior Center
Black Military history talk by Tom Martin
5th Annual Blackout Market & Open-Mic Night Feb. 21, 2026 Hosted by Aurora Theatre and held at Black-owned restaurant Scrum-did-dly-ump-tious on the Lawrenceville Square. Attend an open-mic night and pop-up market showcasing Black talent and creativity. New this year, there will be a Spades and games meet-up.
Black History Hand Art Feb. 24, 2026 @ Gwinnett County Public Library - Hamilton Mill Branch
We will use Hand art to help kids explore Black history in a fun and creative way. Help kids build pride in culture and heritage while giving them the chance to create something unique. Through these projects, kids also learn understanding and respect for diversity.
Author Talk: Denny S. Bryce Feb. 25, 2026 @ Gwinnett County Public Library - Duluth branch
Join award-winning author Denny S. Bryce as she discusses her newest novel, "Where the False Gods Dwell," inspired by choreographer Katherine Dunham's dance expedition, and the search for destiny turns into a struggle for survival.
Black Heritage Festival Feb. 28 2026 @ Shorty Howell Park Activity Building
Celebrate culture, history, and community at the Black Heritage Festival — a family-friendly event for everyone! Enjoy cultural education, explore vendor booths featuring African American historical and cultural merchandise, and experience live music, delicious food, and more. Rain or shine event!
Community: Hooper Renwick Speaker Series Feb. 28, 2026 @ Hooper Renwick Branch (Lawrenceville)
Join Tayari Jones, one of the nation’s most acclaimed contemporary authors, in conversation with Condace Pressley. They will discuss Jones’s newest book, Kin. She has written several celebrated novels, including An American Marriage which won the Women’s Prize for Fiction award.
Black History Series: Truth Telling with Elder Rubye Neal March 8, 2026 Hopper-Renwick Library (Lawrenceville)
Hooper Renwick School Museum Tour and storytelling. This event focuses on elders (age 70+). Youth attendees are invited to hear stories from some of the last living witnesses of segregation, educational transformation and the Civil Rights Movement.
Looking for other ways to celebrate? Support these local Black owned businesses, partake in a self-guided tour at the Hooper Renwick School Museum in Lawrenceville or take a short trip to Atlanta to visit the National Center for Civil and Human Rights or the APEX Museum in Atlanta.
