Milwaukee County Historical Society Celebrates Black History Month with Art and Education Programs

Milwaukee, Wisconsin – The Milwaukee County Historical Society (MCHS) is proud to present a series of engaging programs in honor of Black History Month, celebrating African American history in Milwaukee and highlighting the power of storytelling through art.

On Saturday, February 22, 2025, from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM, MCHS will welcome award-winning artist and illustrator Aaron Boyd for Illustrating Our Stories: Exploring History Through Art. Boyd will share the inspiring story behand his illustrations for the new children’s book Valiant Vel: Vel Phillips and the Fight for Fairness and Equality. Learn about Vel Phillips’ remarkable history and her role in the fight for justice, as seen through Aaron’s vivid artwork. After the presentation, we invite attendees to let their creativity shine and reflect on the history of someone meaningful in their lives to create a portrait using oil and pastels and watercolors. Boyd will lead the interactive workshop fit for all ages and art supplies will be provided. Valiant Vel will be available for purchase in the MCHS gift shop, with members receiving a 10% discount. Tickets are now on sale, and advance purchase is encouraged as space for the workshop is limited to 24 participants.

As part of the Black History Month programming, MCHS will also host a two-part virtual series, Lunch & Learn: African American History in Milwaukee, streamed live via Zoom. On Friday, February 14, from 12:30 PM to 1:30 PM, MCHS Archivist Steve Schaffer will present African American History in Milwaukee, 1836-1960, exploring how African American/Black communities have been a part of Milwaukee’s political, economic, industrial, and social landscape. The following week, on Friday, February 21, from 12:30 PM to 1:30 PM, Dr. Robert Smith, ABHM Historian and Director of Education, will introduce Historian, Kitonga Alexander who will present African American History in Milwaukee, 1960-Present. These virtual presentations are free to attend, but registration is required to receive the secure Zoom link. If participants are unable to join live, recordings will be available at the end of the program season on the MCHS YouTube channel. To register for these events and learn more about the Milwaukee County Historical Society’s Black History Month programming, visit milwaukeehistory.net.

About the Milwaukee County Historical

Society The Milwaukee County Historical Society was founded in 1935 and has become the place for people to learn about and to celebrate Milwaukee. Through education programs, exhibitions, the research library, our historic sites, and special events, MCHS offers Milwaukeeans and visitors to Milwaukee a chance to connect with the heritage of Milwaukee. MCHS preserves more than one million documents and photographs and more than 75,000 artifacts.

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.