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2023 Black History Month Events


Black History Month Program- A Talk with HRH King Gerard-Marie Messina
Tuesday, February 7, 2023
12:00-1:00 p.m.
Location: Hopkinsville Community College, Anderson Room in the Emerging Technologies Building

We have exciting news about the Black History Month Program 2023 hosted by Professor Anita M. Diop of the African Roots and Heritage Foundation along with Hopkinsville Community College History and Philosophy Clubs. We invite you to come and reconnect with the African heritage that was lost in the Transatlantic Slave Trade.

We have the pleasure of presenting to the community His Majesty Gerard-Marie Messina, King of the MBOG-Para community of the EKANG-Beti People of the Center Region in Cameroon, Central Africa who will speak with us on the topic of “Identity and Return to Africa: from Garveyism to African-Americanism.”

In brief, Professor Gérard-Marie Messina is an Associate Professor of (African Literature and Civilizations) and also teaches for the International Relations Institute of Cameroon (University of Yaoundé II) in the Department of International Economics, and with the Pan African University- Institute of Governance in the department of Humanities and Social Sciences.

Professor Messina serves as the Executive Director of the Laboratory of Political Semiology, Imaginary of Anthropology and History of Black Civilizations as well as, the Technical Adviser at the Ministry of Transport – Cameroon, Central Africa.
Most notably he is the Traditional Ruler: KING of MBOG-PARA COMMUNITY of the EKANG BETI PEOPLE –CENTRE REGION OF CAMEROON, Central Africa.

For more information contact: Professor Anita M Diop at 614-390-8864 or email anitamdiop@kctcs.edu or visit the website: https://www.arhf.net

Sponsors: African Roots & Heritage Foundation, History Club, Religion & Philosophy Club, PHI Bet Lambda


Black History Month Proclamation
Tuesday, February 7, 2023
5:50 p.m.
Location: Hopkinsville Municipal Building- Presented by Human Rights Commission
The city of Hopkinsville and the Christian County Government will proclaim February as Black History Month. The proclamation will be read to the public inside City Council chambers on the first floor of the Hopkinsville Municipal Building, 715 S. Virginia St.


The Supper Club: Kenyan Experience
Thursday, February 9, 2023
6:00 p.m.
Location: Museums of Historic Hopkinsville- Christian County

The Museums of Historic Hopkinsville-Christian County and the Human Rights Commission of Hopkinsville-Christian County invite you to join The Supper Club: Inspiring Cultural & Culinary Conversations, an open group that will explore the diversity of our community through food. The club is open to anyone who loves food, conversation, and learning about other cultures through commensality, which means together at the table.

The Supper Club will meet at the Pennyroyal Area Museum at 6 pm on the second Thursday of February, April, June, October, and December. We will meet on the third Thursday in August. Each program will feature a different ethnic food. The recipe will be demonstrated for the group by a special “chef,” and everyone will have the opportunity to taste the cuisine. Guests will take home a recipe and any unique ingredients required to cook the dish at home.

Cultures Featured
February 9: Kenyan with Dr. David W. Kabithe
April 13: Japanese
June 8: Irish
August 17: Indian
October 12: Puerto Rican
December 14: Jewish

Join the Supper Club for $50.00 for all six sessions. The cost to attend individual presentations will be $10.00 each. Tickets can be purchased at the Pennyroyal Area Museum or online through Eventbrite.


Learning where we belong: a bell hooks conversation series
Saturday, February 11, 2023
11:00 a.m.
Location: The Corner Coffee House

The Museums of Historic Hopkinsville-Christian County and the Christian County Literacy Council is continuing the conversation of bell hooks and her work on Saturday, February 11 at 11am at the Corner Coffeehouse. This conversation will center around hooks’ book Belonging: A Culture of Place.

Writer, cultural critic, and Hopkinsville native bell hooks explores what it means to be connected to a place and how that place shapes and affects who we are. hooks writes of creating a narrative map of her past and how that represented the geography of her heart. Through this connection to our past and with a rootedness in a place, hooks evokes a powerful vision of the beloved community where all people can feel as though they belong.

Conversation will be led by Jennifer P. Brown, Francene Gilmer, Alissa Keller, and Gwenda Motley. Reading the book is not necessary; however, limited copies will be available at the Pennyroyal Area Museum or can be purchased through Amazon. The discussion is FREE to attend


Black History Month event discussing Pioneer’s Inc. History
Wednesday, February 15, 2023
11:00 a.m.- 12:00 p.m.
Location: Hopkinsville Community College
Pioneers, Inc will be to discuss Pioneers history which is located in Hopkinsville, KY. It will be in Emerging Technologies Building, Anderson Room with refreshments to be served. Come join us and listen to the history of the Pioneers, Inc.


Super Saturday: Black History Month
Saturday, February 18, 2023
11:00a.m.- 2:00 p.m.
Location: Museums of Historic Hopkinsville-Christian County
Stories, crafts & food experience highlighting African American culture & heritage


Black Market Hoptown

Saturday, February 18, 2023
2:00 p.m.
Location: Hopkinsville Brewing Company- presented by Vansauwa’s Tacos and Vegan Eats

Celebrate Black History Month by discovering new black-owned businesses in Hoptown. Vendors will range from knitting and resin artists, book authors, candle makers, food trucks and more. Enjoy what Black Market Hoptown has to offer at this new event!
Confirmed vendors:
– Resinate with Ames
– Manifested Creations
– Majestic Shade Tree
– Let’s Talk Natural boutique
– Wanda’s Creations
– Jewel Ann Candles Co.
– Missy’s Extreme Cakes & Bakes
– Unlawful Luxury apparel
– Uniquely Braced handmade jewelry
– Pink Zebra

Performing live: Hopkinsville native and Nashville R&B artist Trez Bell


Hopkinsville High School Black Student Union: Local Legends Program
Tuesday, February 21, 2023
5:00 p.m.
Location: Museums of Historic Hopkinsville- Christian County
Sharing stories of great accomplishments and contributions, students will enhance the museum’s exhibition with presentations on Local Legends from our local African American community. From Ted Poston and bell hooks to Attucks High School and Brooks Memorial Hospital, this program will highlight the people, places, and organizations that continue to make our history vibrant and diverse.
Light refreshments will be served, and a children’s corner with crafts and story time will be available. The program is FREE and open to the public.


Black History Celebration
Saturday, February 25, 2023
5:00 p.m.
Location: War Memorial Building
Naomi Chapter No. 6 OES PHA
Donation: $30

A Saga of Pain and Resilience


To add your Black History Month event to our community calendar, visit: https://visithopkinsville.com/events/community/add/