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 has over a dozen 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 2023: Stories of Grit and Perseverance - a community-led and community-focused event program.
You can set reminders for individual events through the McKinney Black History Month Facebook 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. All McKinney Black History Month activities are free and open to the public with only two exceptions – the 1970s Soul Train Party on Friday, Feb. 17. - which will surely be the year’s biggest party - and a Mardi Gras event at Gather in Downtown McKinney on Feb. 11. The other Signature event is the 2nd Annual McKinney Black History Month Art Exhibit and Competition held at the McKinney Performing Arts Center on Feb. 3 with cash prizes totaling over $2,000.
McKinney residents and visitors also have the opportunity to attend other engaging and impactful events such as the McKinney Public Library Black History Month Jubilee on Feb. 25, a community event Honoring Historically Black Churches on Feb. 19, the Jack and Jill of America 2023 Black History Month Celebration on Feb.11, and the annual College Megafest set for Feb. 18.
The McKinney Black History Month Lecture series is back! Held live every Thursday in February, this year’s guest lineup includes Opal Lee (the Grandmother of Juneteenth) on Feb. 3, Derrick Evers – CEO of Kaizen Development Partners – on Feb. 9, NFL Hall of Famer and All-Time Leading Rusher Emmitt Smith on Feb. 16, and former Dallas Mayor Ron Kirk on Feb. 23. Moderators this year include NBC 5 Anchor/Reporter Brittney Johnson and McKinney City Councilwoman Dr. Gere Feltus.
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:
- New date! Feb. 3 (rescheduled to Friday due to winter weather) - LECTURE SERIES
Guest: Opal Lee – Nobel Peace Prize Nominee and the Grandmother of Juneteenth.
Moderator: Brittney Johnson – NBC 5 Anchor/Reporter
Location: McKinney Performing Arts Center at 6 p.m.
- Feb. 3 (Friday) - MCKINNEY BLACK HISTORY MONTH ART SHOW
Location: McKinney Performing Arts Center at 7 p.m.
The McKinney Chamber Foundation is excited to announce the second annual Black History Month Art Exhibit celebrating the work of emerging and established BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) artists from the McKinney and Collin County areas and beyond. Select works will be displayed throughout February at the McKinney Performing Arts Center, and cash prizes totaling over $2,000 will be awarded to the top artist.
Art After Party at The Comedy Arena, 9 p.m.
- Feb. 9 (Thursday) - LECTURE SERIES
Guest: Derrick Evers – CEO of Kaizen Development Partners
Hosted By: McKinney Chamber of Commerce & Collin County Black Chamber of Commerce
Location: TPC at Craig Ranch at 8:30 a.m. and includes breakfast
- Feb. 11 (Saturday) - GREATER FRISCO JACK AND JILL BLACK HISTORY MONTH CELEBRATION
Location: Collin College McKinney Campus, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Experience an exhilarating night of dancing, music, great food, drinks, and local vendors as STUDIO73 brings Mardi Gras to McKinney.
- Feb. 11 (Saturday) - MARDI GRAS IN McKINNEY
Location: Gather in Downtown McKinney, 6 p.m.-1:30 a.m.
Tickets are $45-65 and available online.
Experience an exhilarating night of dancing, music, great food, drinks, and local vendors as STUDIO73 brings Mardi Gras to McKinney.
- Feb. 16 (Thursday) - LECTURE SERIES
Guest: Emmitt Smith – NFL First Ballot Hall of Famer
Moderator: Brittney Johnson – NBC 5 Anchor/Reporter
Location: McKinney Performing Arts Center at 5:30 p.m.
- Feb. 17 (Friday) - 1970s SOUL TRAIN EXTRAVAGANZA
Location: The Sanctuary Music & Events in Adriatica at 7 p.m.
Tickets are $50 each and available on EventBrite.
This fantastic signature event will feature a live band, DJ, dancers, a Soul train dance-off, a red carpet best-dressed contest, a 360 photo booth, and more.
- Feb. 18 (Saturday) - THE 2023 COLLEGE MEGAFEST
Hosted By: The Mark – Saint Mark Missionary Baptist Church
Location: Collin College Conference Center - McKinney Campus at 10 a.m.
Engage with ambassadors from 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. 19 (Sunday) - HONORING HISTORICALLY BLACK CHURCHES
Location: St. James Christian Methodist Episcopal (CME) Church, 316 Watt Street, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
A joyful service dedicated to honoring the historically black churches in our communities.
- Feb. 23 (Thursday) - LECTURE SERIES
Panel featuring Ron Kirk – Former Mayor of Dallas
Location: Sheraton McKinney, 5:30-7 p.m.
- Feb. 25 (Saturday) - MCKINNEY PUBLIC LIBRARY BLACK HISTORY MONTH JUBILEE
Location: John & Judy Gay Library, 11 a.m.-2 p.m.
Enjoy a day of music, education, and entertainment for everyone!
