The City of Bloomington Announces 2025 Black History Month Celebration

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~ Bloomington, IN- The City of Bloomington is gearing up to celebrate Black History Month with a series of events throughout February and March. The 2025 Kick-Off Event will take place on Saturday, February 1 at City Hall and is open to the entire community.

The evening will begin with a reception in the Atrium at 4 p.m., followed by a program in Council Chambers at 5 p.m. This free event will feature a panel discussion emceed by Dr. Jessica McClain, Visiting Research Scientist at Indiana University. The theme for this year's celebration is "African Americans and Labor: From Slave Ships to the White House," which aims to honor the significant role that labor has played in the Black American experience.

The panelists for the discussion include Maurice Johns, Deputy Division Manager at NSWC Crane; Susan Johnson, Director of Grants Administration at Lumina Foundation; Itia Saahir, Therapist and Owner of Be Finer Marketing; and Don Griffin Jr., Owner and Realtor at Griffin Realty. These individuals will share their insights on the contributions of Black Americans to industry, community development, and civil rights movements throughout history.

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In addition to the kick-off event, there will be several other events held throughout February and March to celebrate Black history and culture. On Saturday, February 15, there will be a Black Market event at City Hall from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., which aims to support and celebrate Black-owned businesses, creators, and organizations. This event also pays tribute to Bloomington's original Black Market that was destroyed by a firebomb in 1968.

On Thursday, February 21, there will be a ceremony for the Black History Month Essay Contest winners at City Hall at 6 p.m. This event recognizes the outstanding work of young writers who participated in the contest.

The month-long celebration will culminate with the Black History Month Gala on Saturday, March 1 at the Monroe Convention Center. The evening will feature dining, dancing, and recognition of the 2025 Living Legend recipients and the Commission on the Status of Black Males' Outstanding Black Leaders of Tomorrow. The reception and silent auction will begin at 6 p.m., followed by the program at 7 p.m. Tickets for this event will be available starting February 1 at the Buskirk-Chumley Theater, online at bctboxoffice.org, or by phone at 812-323-3020.

For a complete listing of all events happening throughout the month, interested individuals can visit bloomington.in.gov/bhm. For more information about these events, contact Safe and Civil City Director Andrew Shannon at andrew.shannon@bloomington.in.gov or by phone at 812-349-3430.

The City of Bloomington invites everyone to join in celebrating Black History Month and honoring the rich history and contributions of Black Americans to our community.

Filed Under: Government, City

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