Celebrate Black History in Albany This Month & Beyond
February marks Black History Month in the United States.
This year, let Black History Month serve as a reminder to support Black-owned businesses and learn about Black history all year long. Scroll on to learn how to celebrate Black history in Albany during the month of February and beyond.
Events

Join the City of Albany in a Celebration for Black History Month
Stop by the Albany West on February 21 for a Black History Month celebration from the City of Albany Department of Recreation. This fun-filled event will feature local performers and vendors!
Attend New York State Museum's Black History Month Events
The New York State Museum presents a month of programs highlighting Black history, culture, and contributions in New York and beyond.
| Program Title | Date(s) | Time | Brief Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Archive Adventures: Discover New York’s Hidden Stories | February 5, 12, 19, & 26 | 11 am | Explore New York history with museum archivists. |
| Opening the Airways: How Black Women Broke the Color Barrier in the Sky | February 7 | 2 pm | Talk on Black women pioneers in aviation. |
| Special Screening: Black Barbie | February 10 | 12 pm | Documentary screening on the first Black Barbie. |
| Fashion and Faith: Hats of the Great Migration | February 13 | 12 pm | Gallery talk on Black church fashion and identity. |
| Rhythms of the Diaspora: Drumming and Dance | February 19 | 11 am–1 pm | Interactive drumming and dance program. |
Visit Ten Broeck Mansion for Programming This Month and Beyond
Ten Broeck Mansion is hosting a series of programming honoring Black history this month and beyond including:
| Program Title | Date(s) | Brief Description |
|---|---|---|
| A Revolutionary Age: Generations & the American Revolution in Albany, NY | February 27; March 6 & 13 | Online lecture series on Albany in the Revolutionary era. |
| An Ongoing Revolution: Black History and the Ten Broeck Mansion | June 17 | Special focus tour centered on Black history. |
| Immersion Tours: Freedom and Opportunity in Albany, the Ongoing Revolution | June 18; August 20; September 17; October 10 | Immersive tour exploring freedom and opportunity in Albany. |
| Juneteenth Weekend: Celebrating Rosanna Vosburgh | June 20–21 | Free Juneteenth weekend tours honoring Rosanna Vosburgh. |
| Free Family Program: Arts & Culture of Africa | June 20 | Family-friendly program celebrating African arts and culture. |
| Art and Culture Festival & Concert | August 22 | Festival featuring art, culture, and live music. |
Exhibits & Museums
View the NYS Capitol's 2026 Black History Month Exhibition
Visit the New York State Capitol Building at the Empire State Plaza and view their exhibition A Century of Black History Commemorations, on view through February 27, 2026. This exhibition marks 100 years since the first organized national Black history commemoration in 1926, established by Dr. Carter G. Woodson and the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History. Tracing the origins and evolution of Black History Month, the exhibition highlights New York State’s leadership in preserving, elevating, and honoring Black history while celebrating the lasting cultural, artistic, and historical contributions of Black Americans across generations.
Albany Rural Cemetery, a National Historic Landmark site, is filled with stories of Albany's African American history. In 2020, the long lost headstone of Reverend Nathaniel Paul was rediscovered by Friends of Albany Rural Cemetery Historian Paula Lemire and gravestone restorer Christopher White. Rev. Nathanial Paul was the first African American minister in Albany and was the founding pastor of what would become the First African Baptist Church. Stephen and Harriet Myers are cemetery residents, as well as their descendant William “Beau” Freeman, who fought alongside Sgt. Henry Johnson in the Harlem Hellfighters. Albany Rural is also the final resting place for Kenmore Hotel founder Adam Blake, whose formerly enslaved father was the head of the household at the Van Rensselaer Manor. Follow Albany Rural Cemetery on Facebook for more fascinating stories.
One of Albany's greatest war heroes, Sgt. Henry Johnson, has a monument in Albany's Henry Johnson Park and Washington Park. Henry Johnson was an African American U.S. Army soldier who fought heroically in the 369th Infantry Regiment, called the Harlem Hellfighters, in World War I. His heroic actions were recognized by the French with a Croix de guerre. Johnson was awarded the Medal of Honor by President Barack Obama posthumously in 2015. Learn more about Sgt. Henry Johnson by downloading a free copy of a “Medal of Honor: Henry Johnson” graphic novel from the Association of the United States Army or by tuning into WMHT's documentary on the local hero.
Businesses
Lists of Local Black-Owned Businesses:
Black-Owned Restaurant & Bakeries in Albany (Discover Albany)
Black-Owned Businesses & Organizations in Albany (Discover Albany)
A Guide to Black-Owned Businesses and Black-Led Organizations (Upstate Alliance for the Creative Economy)
Black-Owned Businesses in Downtown (Downtown Albany BID)
50+ Black-Owned Capital Region Businesses (Instagram: @yelpalbany)





















