2024 Citywide Black History Celebration

The Eighth Annual Citywide Black History Celebration is a series of events highlighting local Black history, culture, art, music, and dance. 

This year's events are presented by Biggs Museum of American Art, Delaware Historical & Cultural Affairs, Daily State News, Delaware State University, Dover Art League, Dover Public Library, DonDel Productions, First State Heritage Park, Friends of Old Dover/Dover Historical Society, Inner City Cultural League and the Sankofa Cultural Arts Center.

We are pleased to have the continued support of our long-time event sponsors:  Chesapeake Utilities and Dover Federal Credit Union. 

Additional event details are included below the photo album so be sure to scroll down.

Also, the Citywide Black History event publication will be available in the Daily State News and online at BayToBayNews.com/SpecialSections on Sunday, January 28, 2024. It include additional stories and details about the event.  

If you would like information about participating in the Citywide Black History Celebration or becoming a sponsor, please contact us at adsupport@iniusa.org or 302-741-8200.

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS AT A VARIETY OF VENUES THROUGHOUT DOVER

Biggs Museum

All Events are FREE. No registration is necessary.

Hours of operation Thursday-Sunday 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Free Admission Days

February 2, 3, 4, 11, 18, 25 and 29

Guided Tours

Sundays, February 4, 11, 18 and 25, 2:00 - 2:30 p.m.
Tour of “the Biggs 5” featuring five of the Biggs favorite Black Artists facilitated by the Dover (DE) Chapter of The Links, Incorporated.  

Family Creative Studio

Saturday, February 3 and Sunday, February 4, 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Inspired by Edward Loper, Jr.’s Breakfast Club, participants will use pastels to create a portrait of the people in their inner circle who would make up their “breakfast club.”  

Lecture, “"Leaps & Bounds: Contemporary Black Artists"

Thursday, February 29, 6 - 7 p.m.
The Biggs will host a compelling lecture by DSU Professor of Art, Lori Crawford, on Leap Day, February 29, titled "Leaps & Bounds: Contemporary Black Artists." The lecture promises to showcase the remarkable endeavors of Black artists across the country and in Delaware in recent years. 

406 Federal Street, Dover, De | (302) 674-2111 | biggsmuseum.org

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First State Heritage Park

“Hidden Lives: Slavery, Freedom, and the Green” Walking Tours

Every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday in the month of February,
on the hour 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.

People of color have been an integral part of the Dover community across more than 300 years of history. Although their lives were tightly woven into the fabric of Dover's every day and their contributions meaningfully shaped this city, their experiences have only too rarely been included in the Dover story as they deserve to be. This February, we invite members of our community to join us as we share these hidden lives unveiled by our ongoing research, sharing deeply human stories of love and loss, hard work, painful setbacks, and triumphs against adversity. Meet a historic interpreter at the John Bell House for this FREE 45-minute walking tour. 

43 The Green, Dover, De | (302)744-5054 | destateparks.com/History/FirstStateHeritage

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Friends of Old Dover/Dover Historical Society

History of Dover Exhibits

Saturday, February 3, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Just steps away from the path of First State Heritage Park walking tour, the Friends of Old Dover/Dover Historical Society is offering exhibits on Dover's history as well as a display on the life of famous Underground Railroad conductor Harriet Tubman.  

323 S. State Street, Dover, De | friendsofolddover.org 

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Delaware Historical & Cultural Affairs

Struggles for Equality

Saturday, February 3, 1 p.m.

Desegregating Delaware: Louis Redding and Education in the First State

In recognition of Black History Month and the upcoming 70th anniversary of the Brown v Board of Education decision, the Old State House’s lead interpreter Gavin Malone will discuss how two cases that local attorney Louis Redding took on in the early 1950s began the process of desegregating Delaware’s education system and impacted events on a national level.

Saturday February 10, 1pm

Preserving African American History in Delaware, Highlighting Vibrant Communities Through Research and The Green Book

Carlton Hall, Historian with the State Historic Preservation Office will discuss his work on Delaware listings in the Green Book, a segregation-era travel guide for African Americans created by Victor Green and published annually from 1936 through 1966.

Both programs will be held in the courtroom of the Old State House, 25 The Green, in Dover. The programs are free and open to the public with no reservations, but seating is limited.

25 The Green, Dover, Delaware | (302) 744-5054 | OSHmuseum@delaware.gov


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Dover Art League
Opening Reception: DSU  Students' Window Display

Friday, February 16, 6 p.m. 
Dover Art League

Stop by to meet the student artists, admire their work and enjoy the additional artwork on display throughout the League. Light refreshments will be served. 

During the entire month of February, the window display will feature artwork done by Delaware State University Students. 

Regular Dover Art League hours are Wednesdays - Saturdays 10 a.m.- 4 p.m.

21 W. Loockerman Street, Dover, Delaware | (302) 747-7169 | thedoverartleague.com

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Inner City Cultural League

“Celebrating Black History through the Arts”

Saturday, February 17, 1 - 2 p.m.
Sankofa Cultural Arts Center, 39 S. West Street, Dover, Delaware 19901

The program will include: 

Sankofa Drummers and Dancers

Sankofa String Group

Local school groups

Additional music groups and performers from throughout the community!

Audience Participation Encouraged. Light Refreshments will be available after the event.  Free admission.

“Making Space for our History”

Saturday, February 24, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Sankofa Cultural Arts Center, 39 S. West Street, Dover, Delaware 19901

This hands-on technology event will include coding, engineering, communications, cyber escape rooms, hazard/safe houses, space fitness, displays, trivia, prizes and more. All ages are welcome. You’ll leave amazed and inspired.
Limited space.  Pre-registration required.

Inner City Cultural League | (302) 883-2180 | www.icclarts.org

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 Dover Public Library

In Harmony Concert Series: Fostina Dixon & Winds of Change

Sunday, February 4, 2 p.m.

Please join Fostina Dixon & Winds of Change for an afternoon of jazz and original compositions. 

Fostina Dixon is a composer, vocalist and jazz soloist who plays soprano, alto and baritone saxes; flute; and clarinet and has performed with various musicians including Bobby Vinton, Sammy Davis, Jr., Prince, and Marvin Gaye, with whom she toured for four years.  She is a native of Wilmington, Delaware where she studied with the late Robert “Boysie” Lowery.  As a professional musician, she has performed at numerous clubs, colleges, libraries, churches, community art centers, New York’s Jazzmobile concert series, theaters and toured Germany, Austria, Italy, Belgium, France and the Netherlands several times. 

Fostina Dixon founded the Wilmington Youth Jazz Band in 2004 (www.wyjb.org), a non-profit organization for youths. She has earned numerous rewards and recognition including Recipient of Delaware Division of the Arts for Established Jazz Performance; Recipient of the South Arts Road Jazz Tour and the Delaware Division of the Arts Recipient for Established Professional Jazz Composition. 

For further information on Ms. Dixon & Winds of Change, please visit http://tinyurl.com/DPLFostinaDixon. 

This program is supported, in part, by a grant from the Delaware Division of the Arts, a state agency, in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts. The Division promotes Delaware arts events at www.DelawareScene.com.

Rosedale Beach Hotel & Resort Documentary

Tuesday, February 6, 6 p.m.

Rosedale Beach Hotel & Resort, located in Millsboro, was a historic venue and retreat for Black Americans, Indigenous Americans and other peoples of color during segregation. Please join Tom Summers and Tamra Jubilee-Shaw for a showing of their documentary that includes first-hand accounts and interviews about Rosedale and its importance to our community.

Creative Camp: Film Analysis

Thursday, February 15, 4 p.m.

Embrace your inner film critic! In celebration of Black History Month, teens will get the opportunity to watch short films from award winning, black independent artists of Delaware and use media literacy to develop their own film critical analysis.

Family Night: Sankofa Drumming and Dancing

Thursday, February 15, 5 p.m.

Youth from the Sankofa Cultural Arts Center will perform African drumming and dancing in traditional costumes in celebration of Black History Month.

The Dover Eight

Tuesday, February 27, 6 p.m.

Please join local historian Syl Woolford for a presentation on "The Dover Eight." Eight slaves, who were traveling to freedom with Harriet Tubman, were given instructions on how to find station master Thomas Orwell,  who turned them into the Sheriff in Dover for the $3,000 reward offered by slaveholders for their return. Learn the story of these eight who not only escaped slavery but also the Dover jail they were led to.

35 E. Loockerman Street, Dover, Delaware | (302) 736-7030 | https://dover.lib.de.us/

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Delaware State University

National Black HIV Awareness Day

Wednesday, February 7, 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. 

MLK Student Center, DSU Main Campus.  Free event. Open to the public. On-site testing, information, giveaways and AIDS Delaware Mobile Unit.  This event is sponsored by DSU Campus Health Services.

For a list of additional Black History Month programs being presented by Delaware State University, please visit their website: desu.edu/events.

1200 N. DuPont Highway | Dover, DE | desu.edu

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Dining & Shopping 

A visit to downtown Dover and The Green, wouldn’t be complete without stopping for a bite to eat or doing a little shopping. Some favorite spots to eat include the House of Coffi on Loockerman Street across from the Library, LaHacienda, Coney Island Hot Dogs and Stonerail Market all on Loockerman Street near Bradford.

Shopping spots you might be interested in include the Delaware Shoppes on State Street at The Green, and then shops on or near Loockerman Street including Esteem, Forney’s Too, Maxine’s Fashions, Suds & Company and Zuha Trend Men’s Fashions.  That’s just a few of the dining and shopping options in downtown Dover. You can get a complete list online at:  DowntownDoverPartnership.com.