The Southeast Tennis and Learning Center’s (SETLC) Annual Blacks in Wax living history program is one of the District of Columbia Department of Parks and Recreation’s most unique and successful educational programs. The 2025 Blacks in Wax marks the 19th year of the program. This year’s theme is 1965 Voting Rights Acts & Now.

Classical and jazz pianist and singer Hazel Scott (1920–1981) was the first person of African descent to host their own network TV show in America (The Hazel Scott Show). The Coalition for African Americans in the Performing Arts (CAAPA) explores Scott’s life, legacy, and music. Journey with curator Professor Nevilla Ottley as you hear songs played and loved by Scott, with narration exploring and highlighting the life of the musician, who was also an outspoken critic of racial discrimination and segregation.

Join us for a captivating Juneteenth Community Day themed "Freedom, Movement, and Migration" on June 15, 2024, from 11:00 am to 4:30 pm. This special day is designed to engage people of all ages in a meaningful celebration of freedom and cultural evolution, commemorating Juneteenth's significance in the journey toward equality and recognition in American history. 

Check out this wonderful array of activities! 

The host of MSNBC’s The ReidOut and New York Times bestselling author of The Man Who Sold America now traces the extraordinary lives and legacy of civil rights icons Medgar and Myrlie Evers, situating Medgar Evers’s assassination as a catalyzing moment in American history.

Join us as we welcome Reynauld Smith for a special talk about what Juneteenth has meant to him, his family, and his ancestors some of whom were enslaved in Texas when word of the Emancipation Proclamation came. Juneteenth is now a federal holiday, but long before its official status, it has been celebrated by generations of African Americans whose personal stories and memories have been passed down from one generation to the next. We are honored to have him speak here in Greenbelt and are so pleased to co-sponsor this event with the Greenbelt Black History and Culture Committee and the Greenbelt Recreation Department.

For more information and to reserve a spot, click here.

Exhibit: Saturday, January 28 – Sunday, March 26, 2023
Opening Reception: Sunday, February 5, 2 – 5 PM

Gallery Hours: Sunday – Saturday, 10 am – 5 pm

The African American experience has been inundated with various forms of oppression rooted in anti-blackness. But this oppression has not been met with acquiescence, but resistance This year’s exhibition highlights some of these stories of black resistance in Prince George’s County from the era of enslavement to the Black Lives Matter movement of the present.

This exhibition is curated by the M-NCPPC Black History Program. Group tours are available for school and community groups. To schedule a group tour, call 240-264-3415 or email blackhistory@pgparks.com.

All ages, FREE

The Southeast Tennis and Learning Center’s (SETLC) Annual Blacks in Wax living history program is one of the center’s most unique and successful educational programs, and 2023 Blacks in Wax marks the 16th year of the program. The theme for this year, Legends and Likeness, will honor and celebrate African American legends who have reached what seems like unattainable heights in their careers and work through activism, science, sports, and entertainment. 

Online advance reservations for a given performance date will open on a rolling basis, opening every Wednesday two weeks out from the date.

Join curator of African American Women’s History Angela Tate and printmaker Pantera Saint-Montaigne as we explore the life and work of artist, Alma Thomas.  Using a combination of printmaking, collage, painting and drawing, students will create a one-of-a-kind print, inspired by Thomas' painting, Spring--Delightful Flower Bed. 

Space is limited. Tickets include the cost of materials needed for the activity, instructions, and postage.  

Cost $20.

REGISTER HERE

Dates: Feb 22 @12pm; Feb 23 @7:30pm

Deepen your experience of the exhibition, Reckoning: Protest. Defiance. Resilience. and let it inspire your writing in this virtual ekphrastic poetry workshop. Ekphrastic poetry responds to a work of visual art-generally a painting, sculpture, or photograph. Using the metaphor of flight, this workshop will explore works of art that focus on the experience of Black men. 

The workshop will be led by international slam poetry champion, Anthony McPherson. McPherson's work incorporates various art forms, as well as a myriad of character impressions, to address race, art, and his own biracial identity. He's appeared on Button Poetry, in HuffPost, and Upworthy, and has reached over ten million views since his first viral poem, "All Lives Matter: 1800's Edition."

REGISTER HERE

Dates: Feb 22 @12pm; Feb 23 @7:30pm

Deepen your experience of the exhibition, Reckoning: Protest. Defiance. Resilience. and let it inspire your writing in this virtual ekphrastic poetry workshop. Ekphrastic poetry responds to a work of visual art-generally a painting, sculpture, or photograph. Using the metaphor of flight, this workshop will explore works of art that focus on the experience of Black men. 

The workshop will be led by international slam poetry champion, Anthony McPherson. McPherson's work incorporates various art forms, as well as a myriad of character impressions, to address race, art, and his own biracial identity. He's appeared on Button Poetry, in HuffPost, and Upworthy, and has reached over ten million views since his first viral poem, "All Lives Matter: 1800's Edition."

REGISTER HERE

Culture Queen will wow your royal children with her magnetic personality and creative approach to cultural education by inviting them to celebrate everything that makes them who they are. With a renewed sense of confidence, cultural awareness, and curiosity for exploring the world around them, kids will leave proudly exclaiming, “I Like The Me I See!”

AGE GROUP: | Young Children (0-5 yrs) | Elementary (5-12 yrs) | REGISTER HERE

A Community Day celebrating the 25th anniversary of The Lion King on Broadway. The festivities will include show-themed workshops led by Disney Theatrical Teaching Artists (separate passes required--information upon registration) and other in-museum activities for the whole family. We invite you to join us in this celebration of Black Joy!

Tickets will be available on January 30 at 9:00 AM, EST.

Dates: Feb 15 @12pm and Feb 16 @7:30pm

Deepen your experience of the exhibition, Reckoning: Protest. Defiance. Resilience. and let it inspire your writing in this virtual ekphrastic poetry workshop. Ekphrastic poetry responds to a work of visual art-generally a painting, sculpture, or photograph. During this workshop, we will explore a form called pantoum which weaves lines of poetry together through repetition.The workshop will be led by international slam poetry champion, Anthony McPherson. McPherson's work incorporates various art forms, as well as a myriad of character impressions, to address race, art, and his own biracial identity. He's appeared on Button Poetry, in HuffPost, and Upworthy, and has reached over ten million views since his first viral poem, "All Lives Matter: 1800's Edition." To learn more about Revolutionary, click here: nmaahc.si.edu…

REGISTER HERE

Dates: Feb 15 @12pm and Feb 16 @7:30pm

Deepen your experience of the exhibition, Reckoning: Protest. Defiance. Resilience. and let it inspire your writing in this virtual ekphrastic poetry workshop. Ekphrastic poetry responds to a work of visual art-generally a painting, sculpture, or photograph. During this workshop, we will explore a form called pantoum which weaves lines of poetry together through repetition.The workshop will be led by international slam poetry champion, Anthony McPherson. McPherson's work incorporates various art forms, as well as a myriad of character impressions, to address race, art, and his own biracial identity. He's appeared on Button Poetry, in HuffPost, and Upworthy, and has reached over ten million views since his first viral poem, "All Lives Matter: 1800's Edition." To learn more about Revolutionary, click here: nmaahc.si.edu…

REGISTER HERE

NMAAHC Kids Learning Together: Celebrating Frozone!

Designed for children ages 6 and up

This Black History Month, NMAAHC Kids is celebrating Black children’s movie and TV characters! Meet a Black ice skater during this program inspired by The Incredibles’ Frozone! Figure skater and coach Joel Savary will talk about how to skate, share what he loves about the sport and answer questions live. Then, learn more about ice with a hands-on experiment led by a museum educator.

All NMAAHC Kids Black History Month programs are held via Zoom webinar and led by museum educators. This program is not associated with Pixar Animation Studios or Walt Disney Pictures.

REGISTER HERE _________________________________________________________________________

More Information: Registered guests will receive an email with Zoom information, a list of supplies needed and recommended resources on the Monday before the program.

Live Stream & Recordings: Join the livestream or watch the recorded program on the NMAAHC UStream page.

Deepen your experience of the exhibition, Reckoning: Protest. Defiance. Resilience. and let it inspire your writing in this virtual ekphrastic poetry workshop. Ekphrastic poetry responds to a work of visual art-generally a painting, sculpture, or photograph. During the workshop, attendees will engage their senses and explore works of art that focus on the experience of Black women.   

The workshop will be led by international slam poetry champion, Anthony McPherson. McPherson's work incorporates various art forms, as well as a myriad of character impressions, to address race, art, and his own biracial identity. He's appeared on Button Poetry, in HuffPost, and Upworthy, and has reached over ten million views since his first viral poem, "All Lives Matter: 1800's Edition." 

REGISTER HERE

To learn more about Wives of Sango: nmaahc.si.edu…

Event: Feb 1 @12pm; Feb 2 @7:30pm

Deepen your experience of the exhibition, Reckoning: Protest. Defiance. Resilience. and let it inspire your writing in this virtual ekphrastic poetry workshop. Ekphrastic poetry responds to a work of visual art-generally a painting, sculpture, or photograph. During the workshop, attendees will explore the many perspectives captured in a single moment.  

The workshop will be led by international slam poetry champion, Anthony McPherson. McPherson's work incorporates various art forms, as well as a myriad of character impressions, to address race, art, and his own biracial identity. He's appeared on Button Poetry, in HuffPost, and Upworthy, and has reached over ten million views since his first viral poem, "All Lives Matter: 1800's Edition." 

REGISTER HERE

Event: Feb 1 @12pm; Feb 2 @7:30pm

Deepen your experience of the exhibition, Reckoning: Protest. Defiance. Resilience. and let it inspire your writing in this virtual ekphrastic poetry workshop. Ekphrastic poetry responds to a work of visual art-generally a painting, sculpture, or photograph. During the workshop, attendees will explore the many perspectives captured in a single moment.  

The workshop will be led by international slam poetry champion, Anthony McPherson. McPherson's work incorporates various art forms, as well as a myriad of character impressions, to address race, art, and his own biracial identity. He's appeared on Button Poetry, in HuffPost, and Upworthy, and has reached over ten million views since his first viral poem, "All Lives Matter: 1800's Edition." 

REGISTER HERE

Events: 10am-11am; 2pm-3:30pm

A Hands-On Black History Month STEM Program on the first two African American women awarded a U.S. patent: Sarah Goode and Miriam Benjamin. Register through Parks Direct!

Celebrate the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. by participating in an interactive discussion with Montgomery County Council Member Will Jawando author of "My Seven Black Fathers." Also, participate in designing buttons for a service project and watching videos about Dr. King's contributions to the civil rights movement. Seating is limited so registration is recommended.

Harnessing his encyclopedic knowledge of popular music and American history, award-winning drummer, DJ, and best-selling author Questlove engages in an insightful conversation based on his newest book MUSIC IS HISTORY (a signed copy is included in the price of your ticket). Moderated by former New Yorker editor and best-selling author Ben Greenman.

Learn more about contemporary art and Native veterans and Indigenous military service during an engaging talk with three Smithsonian experts.

In honor of Native American Heritage Month and Veterans Day, join three experts from across the Smithsonian for a virtual conversation about the artwork Edson’s Flag, a large wall tapestry by Marie Watt (Seneca). This artwork was created to honor veterans and specifically Watt’s great-uncle Edison Plummer, who served in the Air Force during World War II. The work explores ideas of service, sacrifice, memory, and tradition.

Nora Atkinson, the Fleur and Charles Bresler Curator-in-Charge at SAAM’s Renwick Gallery, is joined by Alexandra Harris, senior editor at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian, and Rebecca Trautmann, curator at the National Museum of the American Indian, for this engaging virtual program.

Register for your Free Tickets

Exhibit through Jan 25, 2025

Dates/Hours: Wednesday through Sunday 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

From a young age, most Americans learn about the Founding Fathers, but are told very little about equally important and influential Native diplomats and leaders of Indian Nations. Treaties lie at the heart of the relationship between Indian Nations and the United States, and Nation to Nation: Treaties Between the United States and American Indian Nations is the story of that relationship, including the history and legacy of U.S.–American Indian diplomacy from the colonial period through the present.

Performances: 10:15am-11:15am; 12:15pm-1:15pm

This powerful production will introduce audiences to poignant events and notable names of the Civil Rights Movement. This acclaimed show focuses on the tumultuous years between 1955 and 1968 and shines light on important milestone in our history, including: the Montgomery Bus Boycott, the SCLC, Brown v. Board of Education, the Sit-In Movement, the Freedom Riders, the March on Washington, and the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Viewers can expect to meet important figures and hear inspiring songs of the era.

Recommended for grades 3-8

Tickets: $8

A multi-media musical production that honors and examines the experiences of and acknowledges the presence of Africans in the Americas over the last 400 years. Performances and presentations will be in the form of dance, spoken word, and music.

Featuring an original music composition by acclaimed musician and composer, Benny Russell [MSU '81]