For Immediate Release: Feb. 13, 2026
Black History Month Programs in Silver Spring’s Arts and Entertainment District
Silver Spring’s Arts and Entertainment District is marking Black History Month with performances, lectures, films and community events throughout February that highlight Black history, creativity and lived experience. From dance and theater to music, film and Black-owned businesses, organizations across downtown Silver Spring are offering opportunities for residents and visitors to engage with culture and reflection.
A selection of Black History Month events and activities includes:
Silver Spring Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Station
Montgomery Preservation, in collaboration with Silver Spring Town Center, presents “My Name Is Not Tom: The Life of Reverend Josiah Henson” from 3 to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 21, at the Silver Spring Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Station. Historian and author Susan Cooke Soderberg will discuss her book, based on more than 10 years of archival research, examining the life and legacy of Reverend Josiah Henson, an African American abolitionist, Methodist preacher and conductor on the Underground Railroad.
Brigadier General Charles E. McGee Library
• It Happened Here: Remembering Three Lynchings Photo Exhibit
The photographic exhibit, developed by the Montgomery County Lynching Memorial Project, will be on display from Tuesday, Feb. 17 through Sunday, March 15 during regular library hours. The exhibit documents the racially violent deaths of Mr. George Peck in 1880, Mr. John Diggs-Dorsey in 1880 and Mr. Sidney Randolph in 1896. Through photographs and site markers from Rockville and Poolesville, the exhibit examines the history of these fatal miscarriages of justice and ongoing community efforts toward remembrance and reconciliation.
• Exhibit Talk with Derrick Tabor
At 2 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 21, Derrick Tabor of the Montgomery County Lynching Memorial Project will present an in-person talk at the exhibit site on the fourth floor of the Brigadier General Charles E. McGee Library. The presentation will explore the exhibit and the broader effort to preserve Montgomery County’s African American history.
• “Separate but Unequal: The History of School Segregation in Montgomery County”
At 4 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 18, Montgomery History Speakers Bureau presenter Ralph Buglass will lead a program designed for teens, tweens and adults. The presentation examines segregated education in Montgomery County, including the delayed construction of Black high schools and the impact of “separate but equal” policies. Students may earn Student Service Learning hours by assisting with program support and cleanup.
Maryland Youth Ballet
Maryland Youth Ballet is presenting its Black History Month Dance Celebration with free public classes highlighting African and African American movement traditions. Offerings include an Umfundalai class from 7:30 to 9 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 13, with Miriah Auth and a Contemporary class from 1 to 2:15 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 21, with Sade Barnwell. Classes are open to ages 10 and older.
Live Garra Theatre
Live Garra Theatre presents “See Me as I See Me ~ See Me as I Am!” on Sunday, Feb. 15. This interactive Playback Theatre performance invites audience members to share personal stories, which are then re-created through improvised scenes. The program centers on themes of bias and marginalization and encourages dialogue and community connection.
AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center
AFI Silver continues to showcase influential Black voices in film with screenings of SLY LIVES! (AKA The Burden of Black Genius), a documentary examining the legacy of Sly and the Family Stone; BLKNWS: Terms & Conditions, Khalil Joseph’s immersive exploration of the Black experience; Hedda, directed by Nia DaCosta; and Sinners, opening in March. These films reflect a range of Black storytelling, Black Directors and filmmaking. Upcoming in March, the AFI is also featuring a New African Film Festival.
Black History Month Celebration
The Jamaican Nationals Association of Washington, DC Metro Area will host its Black History Month Celebration from 4 to 6 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 22, at the Silver Spring Civic Building. The event will include reflections, cultural entertainment, an art exhibition and authentic Jamaican cuisine.
Dining
Silver Spring is home to many Black-owned dining establishments offering African American and Southern traditional foods, as well as Jamaican and Caribbean cuisine and flavors from across the African continent. Miss Toya’s Creole House, founded by Chef Jeff and Toya Miskiri, features bold Cajun and Creole dishes that pay tribute to traditional New Orleans culinary culture with a contemporary touch. Kefa Café, owned by Lene and Abeba Tsegaye, was among the first coffee shops to open following Silver Spring’s revitalization as an Arts and Entertainment District and features donated artwork by Black artists including Rich Charlton, A. Thomas and M. Leson. Lemon Slice Café, led by Chef Beth Yohannes, offers scratch-made dishes prepared with fresh, seasonal ingredients and accommodates vegetarian, vegan, paleo, sugar-free and gluten-free preferences.
For more information and an events calendar, visit the official Silver Spring website.
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Media Contact: Elizabeth Gallauresi, (301) 793-2928, egallauresi@themodernmuse.com