Where to celebrate Black History Month in Napa County 2024

Black History Month starts Thursday and continues through the end of February.

Across Napa County, community organizations and public libraries will host talks, trivia, celebrations and more to highlight Black history and culture.

From painting at libraries to an oratorical contest hosted by the Napa County Office of Education, there are many ways to get involved and commemorate the accomplishments and contributions of Black individuals.

Feb. 3

Celebrate at the Napa Valley Black History Committee’s the 7th annual Napa Valley Black History Month Celebration. Events include speakers, crafts and a dinner of Buster’s Backyard Barbecue and wines donated by Black-owned wineries.

General admission is $25, and kids 17 and younger attend for free. The program runs from 2 to 5 p.m. Dinner follows at 5:15 p.m. at Crosswalk Church, 2590 First St. in Napa. For more information and to purchase tickets, go to napavalleyblackhistory.org.

Feb. 6

Test your knowledge about Black history at the Black History Trivia Night at the Napa Library. Compete for a prize, and maybe even learn a thing or two.

This free trivia runs from 6 to 7 p.m. in the Community Meeting Room at the Napa Library, 580 Coombs St. in Napa. Guests must be at least 13 years old to participate in the game. For more information, call 707-253-4241 or go to pdne.ws/3w07wDS.

Feb. 7

Get out your brushes and easel for a Black History Month-themed Paint Night at the American Canyon Library. All the necessary art supplies will be provided and library staff will guide participants through a step-by-step process of creating a painting that celebrates Black history and culture.

This free painting event runs from 4 to 5:30 p.m. in the Community Meeting Room at the American Canyon Library, 300 Crawford Way in American Canyon. Registration for this event is required. For more information and to register, go to pdne.ws/49b7nvm. Call 707-644-1136 with any questions.

Feb. 8

Join the Napa County Office of Education for a virtual presentation featuring Charles Cole III and Eric Handy for a conversation about “African American Student Achievement in Education.” The discussion will include local Napa County data for Black students, and what educators can do to better to engage and support the students and their families with strategies and resources. The presentation will be Feb. 8 from noon to 1 p.m. Learn more and virtually join the event at pdne.ws/42uCEYb.

Feb. 21

The Napa County Office of Education invites Napa County students from third through 12th grade participate in its Black History Month Oratorical Contest. Students will choose an influential Black person to honor, and then present two minutes of prepared text during the competition. The person selected may be living or dead, and from any country. The competing students can win up to $250 in cash.

The registration deadline is Feb. 14. The competition will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Feb. 21 at the Napa Valley College Studio Theater, 2277 Napa Vallejo Highway in Napa. For more information, and for student registration, go to pdne.ws/49fGmab.