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Black History Month Events 2025

AAHGS Chapter Events

North Carolina AAHGS Black History Month Genealogy Conference

January 31 - February 2

Join the North Carolina AAHGS Chapters for three unforgettable days of exploring your roots and honoring Black history. Get ready to embark on an exciting journey of discovery and celebration at the Fayetteville State University located at 1200 Murchison Road in Fayetteville, North Carolina January 31 – February 2, 2025. Learn more and register here.

AAHGS Greater Richmond: Building a Home for Change: The Obama Presidential Center

Tuesday, February 4, 7:00 - 9:00 pm

Dr. Crystal M. Moten, Curator of Collections and Exhibitions for the Obama Presidential Center, will explore the Obama Presidential Center’s museum exhibits and discuss how storytelling is used to inspire change. Her insights into the intersection of race, class, and gender and her impactful work at the Smithsonian and the Obama Foundation make this a must-attend event.

This event will take place at the James Branch Cabell Library, Richmond, VA. Register here.

AAHGS Willie Lee Gay H-Town: "Echoes of Freedom: In Their Own Words"

Saturday, February 8, 11:00 - 2:00 pm

Celebrate African American History Month at the Holocaust Museum Houston as the Afro-American Historical & Genealogical Society, Willie Lee Gay H-Town Chapter explores the theme Echoes of Freedom “In Their Own Words” which focuses on invaluable records for researching formerly enslaved and free persons of color in the immediate post-Civil War period.

Learn more and RSVP here.

AAHGS Hampton Roads: “Free People of Color, Indigenous and Enslaved” (hybrid)

Saturday, February 8, 10:00 am

This month, Hampton Roads is excited to present Tyrone S. Goodwyn who will discuss “Free People of Color, Indigenous and Enslaved: Five Women's Stories in Early 1700s Virginia”.

View more about the presentation on the chapter's facebook page page.

We’re meeting in person and virtually via Zoom. The meeting Zoom link will be emailed to our members. Non-members, please email us at aahgshr@gmail.com, no later than 9 a.m. on the meeting date, to get the link.

AAHGS Nashville Chapter: Family History Show & Tell (virtual)

Thursday, February 13, 7:00 pm (central)

Join the Nashville Chapter as Linda Crichlow-White, an AAHGS member and past president of the James Dent Walker Chapter AAHGS chapter in DC, starts our meeting by sharing the work she did to trace her ancestors from enslavement in Virginia to the Appomattox Courthouse and the surrender of Confederate General Robert E. Lee to Union General Ulysses S. Grant.

Then, we invite you to present, show, and/or tell us something interesting you've learned in your Afro-ancestored genealogy research! You are also more than welcome to just come and listen and learn from others.

This meeting is virtual only. You can register at the Zoom link here.

All Month - IABA Black History Month Discount

February 1 - 28, 2025

Authors can enter a literary work into two book categories for the price of one! We strongly encourage all authors to enter your book(s) for the real possibility of becoming an award-winning author!

Visit the IABA submission page to see the discount.

AAHGS Delaware: Deep Dive into African American Genealogy (hybrid)

Saturday, February 22, 10:30 am

This presentation by AAHGS Delaware Chapter President Rosalyn Green will include an overview of the African American genealogy research process and a discussion of the types of historical records that can be used to break through the 1870 African American brick wall to find the name of an enslaver and location of enslavement. It will include 2 case studies (1 for free people of color and 1 for enslaved individuals). Hybrid by Zoom and in-person at Bear Public Library, 101 Governor's Place, Bear, DE 19701

Email deaahgs2017@gmail.com to request a Zoom link.

AAHGS DC and MD Chapters Genealogy Conference (virtual)

Saturday, February 22, 10:00 - 2:00 pm

Join us for a virtual conference on Saturday, February 22 from 10am-2pm. The theme is Work and Worth: African American Contributions to the American Dream. The keynote presentation will be given by Elizabeth Clark-Lewis, PhD, Professor of History and Public History, Program Director, Howard University. This event is organized by AAHGS Chapters: Agnes Kane Callum, Central Maryland, Montgomery County, Prince George’s County, and James Dent Walker – District of Columbia. This event is a joint partnership with African American Special Interest Group (AASIG), Washington FamilySearch Center, and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Register early as limited spots are available! http://www.aahgsmocomd.org/BHMConf/
(Link will be active in early February)

AAHGS Memphis & Mid-South BHM Genealogy Show-and-Tell: What’s Your Family’s Occupation? (hybrid)

Saturday, February 22, 1:30-3:30 pm eastern

The Afro-American Historical and Genealogical Society (AAHGS) of Memphis and Midsouth invites you to bring your family artifacts from the many different jobs family members have filled in the past. The theme for this Black History Month is Black History and Labor so let’s get to work discovering our past! AAHGS members will be available after the event to provide hands-on research assistance too! See more info on Facebook here. This event will be held at the Orange Mound Library and Genealogy Center in Memphis, TN. You may also register on Zoom.

Non-AAHGS Chapter Events

The GU272 Descendants Association's Black History Month Salon Series

Saturdays at 11am, virtual

Every Saturday at 11AM Eastern this February, you can attend The Descendants Association’s Black History Month Salon Series via Zoom to hear from authors, historians, genealogists, geneticists, and descendants uncovering the stories of America’s Jesuit-enslaved communities.

Learn more about each session below and register here.

February 1: Meet The Authors Day

Launched by founding genealogist and descendant Patricia Bayonne-Johnson, President of the Eastern Washington Genealogical Society, will feature authors discussing books about Jesuit enslavement.

February 8: History of Jesuit Enslavement: Part 1.

Learn the latest discoveries about Jesuit enslavement from historians and a descendant.

February 15: History of Jesuit Enslavement: Part 2.

This session will discuss the Slavery, History, Memory, and Reconciliation project.

February 22: DNA Day

To show how bleeding-edge genetic technology opens new vistas into human history.

Finding the Last Enslaver (webinar)

Wednesday, February 5, 7-9pm

In celebration of Black History Month, the Maryland Genealogical Society is partnering with Maryland Public Television to offer a special two-hour webinar focused on African-American genealogical research.

“Finding the Last Enslaver”, presented by Robyn N. Smith, will offer guidance that can prove successful in uncovering the ancestral heritage for descendants of the enslaved. Robyn will focus on how to find the last enslaver, which is necessary to extend any ancestry before 1870. Content will include information about using sources such as probate records, court documents, tax records, deeds, and more.

You can get more information and register here: https://mptevents.regfox.com/genealogy-webinar-finding-the-last-enslaver

Black History Revealed: Getting Started with African American Genealogy

Saturday, February 8, 9:30 - 4:00 pm

Uncover your ancestral roots in this all-day, interactive genealogy workshop as part of the DC Public Library's 'Our City, Our Stories' program series and to celebrate Black History Month! Designed for beginners and enthusiasts alike, this program will equip you with the tools and knowledge to dive into your family history and connect with your heritage. Join us for engaging presentations, hands-on activities, and the opportunity to connect with experts and fellow attendees. Let’s celebrate Black history together, one story at a time.

See the schedule and register here.

Til Death or Distance Do We Part: Exploring Marriage Records of Enslaved and Emancipated Persons (webinar)

Thursday, February 13, 8pm

Join The Georgia Genealogical Society, Thursday, February 13th, at 8PM, for a poignant and inspiring FREE Educational Series Webinar: "Til Death or Distance Do We Part: Exploring Marriage Records of Enslaved and Emancipated Persons." This captivating presentation explores the sacred bonds formed against the backdrop of slavery, and the quest to recognize these unions legally in post-Civil War America.

While enslaved people's marriages were historically unrecognized by law, the end of the Civil War marked a turning point. Efforts to legalize the marital unions of formerly enslaved couples led to the creation of unique records that are indispensable for African American genealogical research today. This webinar, led by the esteemed genealogist, Renate Yarborough-Sanders, delves into these invaluable records, shedding light on the emotional and historical narratives they contain.

Register now!

Finding Our Voice in A Complicated World

Thursday, February 27, 11:30am-1:30pm

Join AOI of DC's panel discussion on how descendants of the enslaved and free people at the Arlington House plantation have found one another and come together after more than 160 years with Stephen Hammond, Genealogist, Family Historian, Syphax Family Descendant and Custis Glover, Zsun-nee Miller Matema, & Inez Parks, Arlington House Descendants Family Circle.

11:30am: Lunch & Program

Woman’s National Democratic Club
1526 New Hampshire Ave, NW
Washington, DC 20036

RSVP for Lunch: Email ricmarino@msn.com. Cost is $40.