At Advent, we believe that Black history is American history. Students of all ages and grades learn about racial identity, the rich history of Black people in America, and the present-day experiences and successes of Black Americans.

This month we will share resources and highlight some of the ongoing work to celebrate and honor Black history in February and throughout the year.

• Advent’s Black History Month book list on Bookshop

• Black Lives Matter at School: A Week of Action

  • “Starter Kit” - BLM at school demands, BLM guiding principles, background on origin of schools week of action, more resources

  • Activity Book + teacher’s guide (some great lists at the bottom of read aloud books for each BLM principle!)

  • Cool “year of purpose” visuals (for posters, badges, etc.)

  • Swag

• Learning for Justice: How are you teaching Black History?

• Celebrate Black History Month, and learn to make recipes inspired by the African Heritage Diet. Hosted by Oldways in collaboration with Age-Friendly Boston and Friends of the Armenian Heritage Park on The Greenway. Register here

• Pop-up Market presented by CambridgeSide in collaboration with J. Perry Fine Art
  February 11-13 More info here
  The Pop-Up Market will feature body products, jewelry, art, and many other beautiful items from local black-owned businesses.

• Finding Your Voice Through Fannie Lou Hamer (Virtual)
  Tuesday, 2/14 Register here
  "Fannie Lou Hamer's America: An America ReFramed Special" explores and celebrates the lesser-known life of a Mississippi sharecropper-turned-human-rights activist and one of the Civil Rights Movement’s greatest leaders. Throughout the 1960s, Fannie Lou Hamer established a legacy of civil rights and human rights activism that remains relevant to this day – especially among Black youth. Learn more here.

• The Power of Words & Perseverance with Stacey Abrams and Kitt Thomas
  Tuesday, 2/15 Register here
  What can you accomplish with confidence, kindness, and determination? Author, political leader, and former spelling bee competitor Stacey Abrams shares how her love of words helped her gain trust in herself and overcome challenges she’s faced. Join us for this inspiring Flipgrid Live Event to learn about the importance of perseverance and the power of words.

• The Life and Legacy of Elizabeth Freeman (online)
  Saturday, 2/19 Register here
  Join long time guide of Naumkeag, Mission House and the Ashley House, Kendra Knisley, for an online lecture about the life and legacy of Elizabeth Freeman. This lecture will feature stories on her enslavement in with Colonel Ashley in what is now known as the Ashley House in Sheffield and her fight for freedom which led to her settling down in her own home in Stockbridge where she lived her life as a free woman working closely with the Sedgewick family.

• The Bluest Eye: A Virtual Public Reading; presented by Literacy Partners
  February 23 & 24 Register here
  Literacy Partners is an adult literacy program. African American and immigrant parents come to our program to transform their lives and create a brighter future for their family. Access to stories and the ability to tell one’s own are essential to heal from trauma – individual and collective continues to receive Morrison’s first novel with controversy. She is unapologetic in her depiction of the suffering and neglect of Black girls and women and the consequences of the psychological and physical violence they have endured for generations. Morrison is equally committed to lifting up their humanity and grace while interrogating the mechanisms by which oppression is internalized.A Virtual Public Reading