5 events to celebrate Black History Month in northeast Wisconsin
Scheduled events include soul food dinners, Afro Hair Fair, mobile history museum
Sophia Voight
Celebrated throughout February, Black History Month is a time to honor and recognize the achievements made by Black Americans.
From soul food dinners to a celebration of textured hair, here are five events across northeast Wisconsin to celebrate Black History Month.
St. Norbert College's annual Soul Food Dinner
St. Norbert College is hosting its annual Soul Food Dinner to celebrate African American food and music.
The dinner — which is open to students and the public — is from 4:30 p.m. to 8:15 p.m. Feb. 2 at the Michels Commons ballroom, 409 Third St. in De Pere.
Tickets can be purchased on the university's event page and cost $14 for adults and $12 for students and children ages 5 to 12. Children under 5 can eat for free.
Food is served buffet style and consists of southern-style cuisine, including fried southern chicken, red rice, Southern mac and cheese, collard greens, cornbread, sweet potato pie and dessert.
Black History Month soul food dinner and discussion panel
A Black History Month soul food dinner and discussion panel will take place from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Feb. 5 at the Ferguson Family Y, 235 N. Jefferson St. in Green Bay.
Dinner will be served at 5 p.m. consisting of fried chicken, macaroni and cheese, collard greens and caramel cake.
The panel, titled "Beyond the Dream: Modern Perspectives on Black Leadership in Communities," will discuss how Martin Luther King Jr.'s dream inspired modern Black activism and how local Black community leaders can continue his work. The panel will begin at 5:45 p.m.
The event is free to attend, but registration is required by Feb. 1 through the Y's website.
Mobile Black History Museum
A mobile museum exploring Black history will be stationed at the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay in February.
The mobile exhibit is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Feb. 8 in University Union in the Phoenix Rooms. It is free and open to students and the public.
Black History Month presentation with Alphonso Simpson
The Kaukauna Public Library will host a Black History Month presentation by University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh Director of African American Studies Alphonso Simpson.
The presentation will take place from 5 p.m. to 6:15 p.m. Feb. 15 at the library on 207 Thilmany Road. The event is free to the public and open for all ages.
Afro-Hair Fair
Fox Valley community organization People of Progression and Taperz Barbershop are bringing back the Afro Hair Fair after a successful first run last year.
The second annual Afro Hair Fair will take place from noon to 4 p.m. Feb. 24 at Fox Valley Technical College, 1825 Bluemound Drive in Grand Chute.
Afro Hair Fair looks to bring education and resources on textured hair types for local salons, shelters, blended or adoptee families, cosmetology students, and community members.
The event costs $10 to attend and tickets can be purchased at the Afro Hair Fair's Zeffy page.
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College students can get a discounted ticket for $15 and children under 9 years old can attend for free. Tickets will be available at the door on the day of the event for $30.
Sophia Voight covers local government and politics in the Fox Valley for The Post-Crescent. She can be reached with feedback and story tips at svoight@postcrescent.com.