Each February, Black History Month gives everyone an opportunity to celebrate the history, experience, and culture of Black Americans. This February, the McKinney Black History Month program offers a plethora of opportunities for local communities to celebrate African Americans' journeys, voices, and significant contributions to North Texas. This year, the McKinney Chamber Foundation presents McKinney Black History Month 2024: Empower. Enlighten. Embrace, a community-led and community-focused event program.
You can set reminders for individual events through the McKinney Black History Month interactive events page .
The McKinney Black History Month website is full of details about February’s signature events and programs scheduled to honor, celebrate, and uplift the contributions of African Americans to the culture and history of McKinney and the surrounding area. The majority of the McKinney Black History Month activities are free and open to the public with only a few exceptions including:
- a Gospel Brunch on Sunday, Feb. 18, 1-3:30 p.m. at Gather in Downtown McKinney ($40); and
- the 90s Hip Hop House Party on Friday, March 1, at The Sanctuary Music & Event Venue, which will surely be the year’s biggest party ($50).
McKinney residents and visitors also have the opportunity to attend other engaging and impactful events such as the McKinney Public Library Black History Month exhibit at the Roy & Helen Hall Library (library hours from Feb. 4-29), a community event Honoring Historically Black Churches, the annual College Megafest at Collin College McKinney Campus on Feb. 17, the Living Color of Collin County Community Awards on Feb. 21 at Gather in Downtown McKinney,
The McKinney Black History Month CEO Breakfast Series features Dallas Mavericks CEO Cynt Marshall (pictured here) as the featured speaker with moderator Chantelle Kadala.
All year, the McKinney Black History Month website shares activities, events, and reflections that celebrate Black history and shine a light on the legacy and future of McKinney’s and Collin County’s diverse communities. Visit the www.McKinneyBHM.com interactive calendar to learn more, get tickets, add events to your calendar, and share with your friends, family, and colleagues.
Below is the list of McKinney Black History Month events and activities. Please visit the event website for ticket links and more info.
- Feb. 4 (Sunday) - BLACK HISTORY MONTH EXHIBIT WITH THE LEGACY KEEPERS OF OLD EAST MCKINNEY
Location: Roy & Helen Hall Library during library hours with a special opening day celebration on Sunday, Feb. 4, 3-5:30 p.m.
- Feb. 4 (Sunday) - CELEBRATING HISTORICALLY BLACK CHURCHES
Location: The McKinney First Baptist Church, 401 W. Erwin Ave.
A joyful service dedicated to honoring the historically black churches in our community.
- Feb. 17 (Saturday) - THE 2024 COLLEGE MEGAFEST BLACK COLLEGE EXPO
Location: Collin College Conference Center - McKinney Campus, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
Engage with ambassadors from more than 25 local colleges, historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs), and career professionals while exploring college prep and future opportunities with a Financial Aid Workshop and ACT/SAT Discussion. For information on College Megafest Scholarships, email CollegeMegafest@gmail.com.
- Feb. 21 (Wednesday) - LIVING COLOR OF COLLIN COUNTY COMMUNITY AWARDS
Location: Gather in Downtown McKinney, 207 E. Virginia, at 5:30-8:30 p.m.
- Feb. 22 (Thursday) - CEO BREAKFAST SERIES featuring DALLAS MAVERICKS CEO CYNT MARSHALL
Location: Independent Financial Corporate Headquarters, 7677 Henneman Way, 7:30-9:30 a.m.
Moderated by Chantelle Kadala
- Feb. 22 (Thursday) - UNDERTOLD STORIES: AFRICAN AMERICAN PLACES & SPACES IN HISTORIC DOWNTOWN McKINNEY
Location: Roy and Helen Hall Library, 101 E. Hunt Street
Cost: Free, but online registration is required due to limited space.
March 1 (Friday) - 90s HIP HOP HOUSE PARTY (McKinney BHM Annual Gala)
Location: The Sanctuary Music & Events, 6633 Virginia, in Adriatica, 7-10:30 p.m.
Tickets are $50 each and available on EventBrite.
This fantastic signature event will feature Hip Hop Pioneer DJ Spinderella, Best Dressed contest, casino games, and more.
Other events on the schedule that are taking place in other Collin County locations are:
- Feb. 25 (Sunday) - Harmony of Unity Gospel - A Symphony of Voice for Black History
Location: Kingdom Life Fellowship, 885 TX-S, Fairview, TX; $75
- March 2 (Saturday) - HE HEARD MY CRY
Location: Independent Financial Corporate Headquarters, 7677 Henneman Way, 7:30-9:30 a.m.
Moderated by Chantelle Kadala
