Celebrate Black History Month in February
February is Black History Month, which is an annual celebration of achievements by African Americans and a time for recognizing the central role of African Americans in U.S. history. Since 1976, every U.S. president has officially designated the month of February as Black History Month.
In celebration of this month, there are several programs and events organized by the City of Hickory for all people of all ages to enjoy and pay tribute to African American heritage and culture.
Black History Month Reading Challenge
All month | Hickory Public Library
Celebrate Black History Month by reading books that feature Black writers and stories. Read for 300 minutes in the month of February to complete the reading challenge and earn a prize. Register for the reading challenge on the Beanstack app or at the Patrick Beaver Memorial Library or Ridgeview Branch Library. Select a book from the suggested reading list to get started today.
The Six Triple Eight: The Life and Legacy of Elizabeth Barker Johnson
Wednesday, Feb. 12 | 2-3:30 p.m. | Patrick Beaver Memorial Library
The late Elizabeth Barker Johnson was a Hickory resident who served in the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion, the first and only all-Black, all-female unit in the Women's Army Corps during World War II. Join us as her daughter, Cynthia Scott, shares stories and memorabilia about her mother’s amazing life. The heroic true stories of the women who served in the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion were recently told on the big screen with the popular 2024 American war drama, “The Six Triple Eight.”
5th Annual Living Wax Museum
Saturday, Feb. 15 | 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. | Ridgeview Recreation Center
Celebrate Black History Month and explore visual displays featuring important historical figures in African American history. For more information, please contact Todder Clark at nclark@hickorync.gov or call 828-324-8007.
The Six Triple Eight Screening: Questions, Answers, and a Movie with Cynthia Johnson Scott
Tuesday, Feb. 18 | 4:30-7:30 p.m. | Ridgeview Recreation Center
Join Cynthia Johnson Scott for an interactive discussion about her mother, Elizabeth Barker Johnson, who served in the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion. Then enjoy a screening of Tyler Perry’s Netflix film that depicts the inspiring story of World War II’s only Women’s Army Corps unit of color.
All programs are free and open to the public.
For additional details on these and other upcoming events in the City of Hickory, please visit the City's online calendar.