Black History Month 2025

Here is a list of Black History Month events as compiled by Prince George's County Poet Laureate Emerita, J. Joy "Sistah Joy" Matthews Alford:

- Sat., Feb. 8 (1-3 PM) – “Celebrating Black History Through Poetry” – Spauldings Branch
Library, 5811 Old Silver Hill Road, District Heights, MD 20747 Featured Artists: Sistah Joy, Djembe drummer, Doc Powell and Visual Artist, Amira Rasayon. See https://www.pgcmls.info/events

- Sat., Feb. 15 (1-3 PM) – Sistah Joy, in partnership with the PGAHC, presents the Black History Month event “Ekphrastic Poetry Workshop & Performance” at National Harbor - Arts’tination, 162 Waterfront St., Oxon Hill, MD 20745 *(Workshop Facilitators: Sistah Joy and Visual Artist, Amira Rasayon)

- Mon., Feb. 17 (11 AM – 3 PM) – The Society, Inc. – Harbor City Chapter presents “A Black History Teen Poetry Slam” *(Cash Prizes!) Hyattsville Busboys & Poets, 5331 Baltimore Ave., Hyattsville, MD 20781

- Fri., Feb. 21 (6:30 – 8:30 PM) – Ebenezer Poetry Ministry presents its annual Black History Month Poetry & Praise Open Mic Night, Ebenezer AME Church, 7707 Allentown Rd., Fort Washington, MD 20744. *Featured Poet: Sekeithia Johnson, Djembe drumming by Doc Powell

- Sat., Mar. 22 (1-4 PM) – Collective Voices presents the Women’s History Month event, “Tea & Testament” at The Alate at Old Towne, 1112 First St., Alexandria, VA 22314. Special Guests: Soprano AnDraea Keene and Gospel Artist, Linda Sanders. This free event includes an Open Mic.

- Sat., Apr. 5 (11 AM – 1 PM) – National Museum of Language presents “Social Justice
Themes in African Poetry – Writing Your Own Poetry” at the South Bowie Branch Library,
15301 Hall Road, Bowie, MD 20721. Facilitators/Presenters: Laura Murray and Sistah Joy.

- Sat., Apr. 12 (1 - 3 PM) – Collective Voices presents its 2025 National Poetry Month
celebration, “From The Page To The Stage” at the Oxon Hill Library’s Sojourner Truth
Lecture Hall, 6200 Oxon Hill Rd., Oxon Hill, MD 20745. Guest Poet of Distinction: Past Maryland State Poet Laureate, Grace Cavalieri. See https://www.pgcmls.info/events

- Sat., Apr. 19 (2 - 3 PM) – Harmony Hall Regional Center presents “Messages of
Conscience, Messengers of Inspiration” a National Poetry Month program featuring
Collective Voices, 10701 Livingston Rd., Fort Washington, MD 20744. *(Tickets: $8)

- Sat., Apr. 26 (1 – 3 PM) The Coalition for African Americans in the Performing Arts, Inc. (CAAPA) presents its annual National Poetry Month Celebration with Featured Poet, Sistah Joy and Special Guest Poet, Catrice Greer. CAAPA Cultural Center, 1900 Tucker Rd., Fort Washington, MD 20744