Visit Lebanon Valley and the Lebanon County branch of the NAACP will celebrate Black History Month with events each weekend in February.
Activities range from an African drumming workshop to the NAACP’s annual Freedom Fund Gala, Visit Lebanon Valley’s Darby Seymour told LebTown.
“We are thrilled to offer these special events to the people of Lebanon County,” Lori Burrus, chair of the Lebanon County NAACP’s Black History Month 2024 Planning Committee, said in a statement. “Our hope is that our ongoing struggle for equal rights for all people, especially Black people and people of color, will make each one of us a better person, our nation a better country, and our world a better place.”
Here is a list of events, according to a release from NAACP branch secretary Michael Schroeder.
First Friday at the Lebanon Valley Council on the Arts – Friday, Feb. 2, 5-8 p.m., at 770 Cumberland St., Lebanon.
This event will feature artwork by Lebanon County high school students, with light refreshments and music by Luther Tyree. Admission is free and open to the public.
African Drumming Workshop – Saturday, Feb. 10, 2-3 p.m., at 515 Cumberland St., Lebanon.
This African Drumming Workshop will be taught by Studio Solomon at the On Stage Theater. Admission is free and open to the public.
Tour of Cornwall Iron Furnace – Saturday, Feb. 17, noon-1:30 p.m., at 94 Rexmont Road, Cornwall, and 35 S. Eighth St., Lebanon.
Cornwall Iron Furnace Site administrator Mike Emery will lead a talk, a short video, and a tour with a focus on the lives and experiences of enslaved African Americans at the ironworking plantation complex. After the tour, participants are invited to the Lebanon Farmer’s Market for a guided conversation and soul food lunch at Aunt Hocker’s Fish Fry. Cost is $7 per person, not including lunch. Rides are available for those without private transportation.
2nd annual Black History Month Freedom Fund Gala – Saturday, Feb. 24, 6-9 p.m., at 9 S. 9th St., Lebanon.
Taking place in the second-floor ballroom of the WEPA Empowerment Center, this gala will feature a soul food dinner served by Aunt Hocker’s Fish Fry Catering as well as live music performed by the Michael Kitchen Band. Featured speaker is Dr. Sherry Washington, chair of the education committee for the NAACP Pennsylvania State Conference. There will also be a cash bar and dancing.
Cost of a gala ticket is $50, payable by cash, check (payable to “Lebanon County NAACP” and mailed to P.O. Box 74, Annville, PA 17003), or by credit or debit card at https://lebanonnaacp.betterworld.org/events/2nd-annual-gala.
Read More: Lebanon County NAACP announces 2nd Black History Month Freedom Fund gala
For more information, visit the Lebanon County NAACP website.
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