Black History Month 2021
THE BLACK FAMILY: REPRESENTATION, IDENTITY, AND DIVERSITY
The Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH) announced the 2021 Black History theme of The Black Family: Representation, Identity, and Diversity. Come take a moment as we celebrate the Black History Month theme through significant contributions and creativity of our Black community. Whether you join us in-person or from the comfort of home, we have opportunities for you to enjoy, including live music, art talks, art-making, and more.
FIRESIDE CHAT WITH JOHNNETTA B. COLE, PH.D. AND ANDREA BARNWELL BROWNLEE, PH.D.
The Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens and the Jacksonville Chapter of the Spelman College Alumnae Association invite you to a “Fireside Chat,” a selection of intimate moments with Johnnetta B. Cole, Ph.D, and Andrea Barnwell Brownlee, Ph.D. Join Dr.s Cole and Brownlee to celebrate art, culture, and Spelman alumnae in Northeast Florida and beyond.
MUSIC & POETRY
Join us every week in February for a performance by local Black artists. Admission to these select events is FREE, family friendly, and includes access to the galleries, gardens, and performances. Visit the links below to reserve your ticket.
MJbaker, Saturday, Feb. 6
Performing sets from 11am to 3pm
MJbaker is an electrifying entertainer, vocalist, and prolific songwriter that mesmerizes her audiences. Whether performing solo or with her band, she exemplifies everything that superstars are made of. Deemed “The Storyteller”, she has mastered the ability to communicate passion, love, hurt and a variety of emotions with little accompaniment as she belts out soulful notes while playing her acoustic guitar.
The Sheldon Quick Trio, Friday, Feb. 12
Performing sets from 5:30 to 8:30pm
Sheldon Quick is a trumpet player from rural Avon Park, Florida, but he’s earned his stripes in Jacksonville. Though he has a background in classical and jazz, he’s curated a life playing any genre that moves people. Having played in 30+ countries, played trumpet on major recording projects, and composed original works, Sheldon continues to pursue the integrity of the music and the ways to affect people through it.
Poetry Reading with Ebony Payne English, Friday, Feb. 19
Performances at 7 and 8pm
Ebony Payne-English is an award winning author, performance artist, and educator from Jacksonville, FL. She is the first woman to establish her own chapter of the international poetry organization, Black on Black Rhyme. Ebony is curator of the Museum of Contemporary Art Jacksonville’s first Hip Hop exhibition, The God MC. She is the Executive Director of The Performers Academy, a founding member of the Southern Fried Poetry, Inc. Board of Directors, and a former Teaching Artist for the Harland Boys & Girls Club of Metro Atlanta.
Akia Uwanda, Friday, Feb. 26
Performing sets from 5:30 to 8pm
Akia Uwanda, the multi-talented entertainer is both classically and experientially trained as a sultry jazz and soul vocalist while superiorly remaining the girl next door. Akia has infectiously captured the hearts and minds of many with her warmth, glowing beauty, and her siren-like chords. She has opened up for Earth, Wind and Fire and Avery Sunshine, as well as shared the same stage with jazz greats, Gregory Porter and Kamasi Washington.
VIRTUAL LECTURES
Our Culture & Conversation series cultivates meaningful dialogue with diverse audiences and connects people to the arts, gardens, and each other. Join us for our upcoming lectures or revisit some of our recent conversations.
- The Invincible Garden Ladies with Abra Lee
- A conversation with author, historian, and civil rights leader Rodney L. Hurst, Sr.
- Responding to Current Events through the Arts
- Virtual Talk with artist Nick Cave
- Artist Willie Cole on his Black Art Matters collection
EDUCATIONAL MOMENTS
Join our Education team for Slow Art Wednesday, and discover the joy of looking at art and talking with others about your experience. Bring the whole family along for a Family Exploration, a virtual tour of the Museum's galleries.