The first iteration of Black History Month was organized in 1926 by Carter G. Woodson, the son of formerly enslaved people and the second Black person to earn a PhD from Harvard University. It was initially called “Negro History Week” and scheduled to coincide with Abraham Lincoln’s birthday (Feb. 12) and Frederick Douglass’ (circa Feb. 14), according to the National Museum of African American History & Culture. The initiative became Black History Month in February 1976 “to more fully represent the scope and experience of Black history, life and culture,” according to the museum.

This year’s Black History Month theme is “African Americans and Labor,” focusing on the ways work impacts “the collective experiences of Black people,” according to the Association for the Study of African American Life and History, which determines the theme. Events will be held across Long Island this week to mark the occasion. Please confirm events before attending.

A showcase of teens’ talent and creativity includes flower silhouettes, neon acrylic artwork inspired by the artist Derrick Adams and watercolor artwork inspired by artist Lorna Simpson, on display during library hours through Feb. 28, Brentwood Public Library, 34 Second Ave., free, brentwoodnylibrary.org, 631-273-7883.

Exhibit features books, photos and artwork from Bay Shore resident and library board trustee elder Frances Bell, in honor of Black History Month, on display during library hours through Feb. 28, Bay Shore-Brightwaters Public Library, 1 S. Country Rd., free, bsbwlibrary.org, 631-665-4350.

Exhibition honors the legacy of James Baldwin through the artwork of artist and activist Sabrina Nelson; gallery talk and reception held 4-6 p.m. Feb. 3, reserve; on display 9 a.m.-6 p.m. through Feb. 28, Art Gallery in the Ruth S. Hartley University Center, Adelphi University, 1 South Ave., free, adelphi.edu, 516-877-4978.

Learn about the accomplishments and impact of Black people in the history of the United States, for children and families, participate during library hours through Feb. 16, Great Neck libraries, free, greatnecklibrary.org, 516-466-8055. In Great Neck, hunt is at the Main Building, 159 Bayview Ave. In New Hyde Park, it’s at the Parkville Branch, 10 Campbell St.

View high school students’ portraits of civil rights leader Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.; reception held 4-6 p.m. Feb. 27; on display 8 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Friday (closed weekends and holidays), in the Lyceum Gallery, Suffolk County Community College-Eastern Campus, 121 Speonk-Riverhead Rd., free, eastendarts.org, 631-727-0900.

Napoleon Revels-Bey’s Nu Mo Swing Ensemble performs music by Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Quincy Jones, Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder and more, 2-3:30 p.m., Elmont Memorial Library, 700 Hempstead Tpke., free, elmontlibrary.org, 516-354-5280.

Rhonda Denét pays tribute to classic R&B and soul, 1:30-2:30 p.m., Mineola Memorial Library, 195 Marcellus Rd., free, mineolalibrary.info, 516-746-8488

Gather to read aloud a short passage from a book, poem or speech written by an African American author, selections available to read, bring your own or just come to listen, 1-3 p.m., Hampton Library, 2478 Main St., free, register, myhamptonlibrary.org, 631-537-0015.

Jacqueline Dinan discusses her latest biography, “The Unsettling Legacy of Wayland Jefferson: Missing Evidence, Racism, & Collective Amnesia,” books available for purchase and signing, 2 p.m., Cutchogue New Suffolk Free Library, 27550 Main Rd., free, cutchoguenewsuffolkhistory.org, 631-734-7122.

Quilter Joan Hodges discusses her Afrocentric quilts and dolls that tell the stories of Black American history, including her “Sheroes of Black History” quilt, which highlights the women who have been central to her life, 1:30-4 p.m., East Meadow Public Library, 1886 Front St., free, light refreshments served, eastmeadow.info, 516-794-2570.

Vocalist Paige Patterson presents a Valentine’s Day tribute to African American singers and composers, 2-4 p.m., East Meadow Public Library, 1886 Front St., free, eastmeadow.info, 516-794-2570.

The Paul Joseph Trio pays tribute to composer Duke Ellington with a performance of instrumental jazz renditions of “Satin Doll,” “In a Sentimental Mood,” “Take the ‘A’ Train” and more, 2:30-4 p.m., Freeport Memorial Library, 144 W. Merrick Rd., free, freeportlibrary.info, 516-379-3274.

Vocalist Rhonda Denét celebrates the ladies of Motown with hits from female groups, solo artists and songwriters who defined the Motown sound, 2-3 p.m., Glen Cove Public Library, 4 Glen Cove Ave., free, register, glencovelibrary.org, 516-676-2130.

Bagels and a screening of the dark comedy “Do the Right Thing” (1989, rated R, 2:00), directed by Spike Lee, about the racial tensions in a Brooklyn neighborhood, 10 a.m., bagels followed by the film at 11 a.m., Cinema Arts Centre, 423 Park Ave., $20, tickets required, cinemaartscentre.org, 631-423-7610.

Pianist Alexander Wu presents a solo concert celebrating the beauty, diversity and enduring impact of three centuries of African diasporic music and culture, 8:30-9:30 p.m., Montauk Library, 871 Montauk Hwy., free, montauklibrary.org, 631-668-3377.

Learn about African American artist Alma Thomas and create your own artwork in her style to take home, 1:30-3 p.m., Uniondale Public Library, 400 Uniondale Ave., free, call to register, uniondalelibrary.org, 516-489-2220.  

Screening of the action drama “Red Tails” (2012, rated PG-13, 2:05), about the Tuskegee Airmen, a group of Black U.S. Army Air Forces servicemen during World War II, 1 p.m., Bayport-Blue Point Public Library, 186 Middle Rd., free, bayportbluepointlibrary.org, 631-363-6133.

Learn about African Americans who have been at the forefront of many important medical advances, including Pittsburgh’s Freedom House Ambulance Service and Staten Island’s Black Angels, 6-7 p.m., Central Islip Public Library, 33 Hawthorne Ave., free, cilibrary.org, 631-234-9333.

Southampton Town Historian Julie Greene discusses Bridgehampton resident Cato Crook and his family, with documents that offer a glimpse into the world of slavery and servitude on Long Island, 7-8 p.m., Emma S. Clark Memorial Library, 120 Main St., free, register, for resident cardholders only, emmaclark.org, 631-941-4080.

A National Park Ranger discusses the life and legacy Brig. Gen. Charles Young, who was the first African American national park superintendent, the first African American colonel in the Army and the first African American military attaché, appropriate for ages 15 and older, 6:30-7:15 p.m., Baldwin Public Library, 2385 Grand Ave., free, register for a link, baldwinpl.org, 516-223-6228.

Test your knowledge of members of the Black community and Black Heritage, for all ages, prizes awarded, 7-8:30 p.m., Uniondale Public Library, 400 Uniondale Ave., free, register at uniondalelibrary.org, 516-489-2220.

Celebrate the contributions that Godfrey Cambridge, Redd Foxx, Dick Gregory, Flip Wilson, Nipsey Russell, Richard Pryor and Eddie Murphy brought to the world of comedy, 1-2 p.m., Elmont Memorial Library, 700 Hempstead Tpke., free, elmontlibrary.org, 516-354-5280.

Chef Brian Collins prepares piri-piri chicken (a dish that started out in South America, made its way to Africa and then to Portugal), served with jollof rice from Nigeria, and Philadelphia pepper pot soup, which has its origins in West Africa and was served by Philadelphia’s African female street vendors in the late 1600s, 6:30-8 p.m., Freeport Memorial Library, 144 W. Merrick Rd., $5 nonrefundable fee required when registering, freeportlibrary.info, 516-379-3274.

Explore a significant document from the library’s archives: an 1826 bill of sale for an enslaved woman, Molly, and her child, Robert, which sheds light on the brutal realities of slavery in 19th century America, 2-3 p.m., Glen Cove Public Library, 4 Glen Cove Ave., free, register, glencovelibrary.org, 516-676-2130.

Discuss the biography “The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks,” by Rebecca Skloot, about an African American woman who had her cells removed by doctors without her consent for scientific research, 11 a.m.-noon, Great Neck Library, Station Branch, 26 Great Neck Rd., free, greatnecklibrary.org, 516-466-8055.

Screening of the documentary “Invisible Beauty” (2023, not rated, 1:55), that explores the life and career of Bethann Hardison, a pioneering Black model, modeling agent and activist, 2 p.m., Great Neck Library, Main Building, 159 Bayview Ave., free, greatnecklibrary.org, 516-466-8055.

Discover the remarkable contributions made by African American whalers and explore how West African music influenced sea shanties, jazz and hip-hop; create a traditional rattle using shells; for children in grade, 4-5 p.m., Oceanside Library, 30 Davidson Ave., free, register, oceansidelibrary.com, 516-766-2360.

Celebrate Black History Month with story time, for children of all ages and their families, 11-11:30 a.m., Uniondale Public Library, 400 Uniondale Ave, free, register, uniondalelibrary.org, 516-489-2220.

Create fun and inspirational crafts in celebration of Black History Month, for children in, while supplies last, 3:30-4:30 p.m., Babylon Public Library, 24 S. Carll Ave., free, register, babylonlibrary.org, 631-669-1624.

Discuss the memoir “How to Say Babylon,” by Safiya Sinclair, about her struggles to break free of her Rastafarian upbringing, 7-8:30 p.m., Brentwood Public Library, 34 Second Ave., free, register to attend in-person or online, brentwoodnylibrary.org, 631-273-7883.

Discussion of the nonfiction book “African Americans of Eastern Long Island,” by Jerry Komia Domatob, 6 p.m., Bay Shore-Brightwaters Public Library, 1 S. Country Rd., free, Suffolk County cardholders can register, bsbwlibrary.org, 631-665-4350.

Screening of the documentary “Invisible Beauty” (2023, not rated, 1:55), that explores the life and career of Bethann Hardison, a pioneering Black model, modeling agent and activist, 2 p.m., Great Neck Library, Station Branch, 26 Great Neck Rd., free, greatnecklibrary.org, 516-466-8055.

Learn about the life and artwork of Faith Ringgold, a pioneering figure in the Black Arts Movement of the 1970s, 11 a.m., Hewlett-Woodmere Public Library, 1125 Broadway, free, attend in-person or visit hwpl.org for a link to view online, 516-374-1967.

Create artwork inspired by Reggie Laurent, for children in, 6-7 p.m., Huntington Library, 338 Main St., free, register, for resident library cardholders, myhpl.org, 631-427-5165.

Learn the impact slavery has had on America and the ways that slavery formed us as a nation, 6:30 p.m., Port Jefferson Library, 100 Thompson St., free, call to register for a link, portjefflibrary.org, 631-473-0022.

The Jazz Loft Big Band presents a program of all Black composers, 7 p.m., Jazz Loft, 275 Christian Ave., $30, $25 seniors ages 62 and older, $20 students, $15 children ages 5 and older, purchase tickets at thejazzloft.org, 631-751-1895. 

Learn about the wealthy Townsend family of Raynham Hall, where many enslaved people labored to maintain the house and grounds, presented by the Raynham Hall Museum, 7-8 p.m., Uniondale Public Library, 400 Uniondale Ave., free, register, uniondalelibrary.org, 516-489-2220.

Screening of the dark comedy “American Fiction,” (2023, rated R, 1:57) about a writer fed up with the establishment profiting from Black entertainment and uses a pen name to write a book that he secretly despises, starring Jeffrey Wright, Tracee Ellis Ross and Sterling K. Brown, 1 p.m., Central Islip Public Library, 33 Hawthorne Ave., free, register, cilibrary.org, 631-234-9333.

Learn how African Americans have contributed to the cultural and political life of New York City, the greats of the Harlem Renaissance, such as Langston Hughes, Aaron Douglas and Duke Ellington, as well as political influencers like Malcolm X and Adam Clayton Powell, 12:30-1:30 p.m., Elmont Memorial Library, 700 Hempstead Tpke., free, elmontlibrary.org, 516-354-5280.

Screening of the biographical drama “Green Book,” (2018, rated PG-13), 2:10) which shows the harsh realities of racial segregation in the United States during the Jim Crow era, starring Mahershala Ali and Viggo Mortensen, 1-4 p.m., Glen Cove Public Library, 4 Glen Cove Ave., free, glencovelibrary.org, 516-676-2130.

Forces of Nature Dance Theatre performs contemporary modern dance, traditional West African dance, Afro-beat, fusion, contemporary ballet and more, 7 p.m., Toni and Martin Sosnoff Theater at the John Cranford Adams Playhouse, Hofstra University South Campus, 118 Hofstra University, free, must register in advance, hofstra.edu/culture, 516-463-5669.

Pick up a craft kit to make your very own paper analog clock, kit includes information on Benjamin Banneker, a Black mathematician credited with creating the first full-size clock in the United States, for children in prekindergarten through grade two, 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Great Neck Library, 10 Campbell St., free, greatnecklibrary.org, 516-466-8055.

Tanisha Mitchell pays tribute to legendary African American singers who performed at such prestigious venues as the Metropolitan Opera, La Scala and the Royal Opera House, 2-3 p.m., hosted by Cold Spring Harbor, Commack, Elwood, Half Hollow Hills, Harborfields and Huntington libraries, free, register for a link:

Cold Spring Harbor Library, 95 Harbor Rd., cshlibrary.org, 631-692-6820.

Commack Public Library, 18 Hauppauge Rd. (Suffolk County cardholders only), commackpubliclibrary.org, 631-499-0888.

Elwood Public Library, 1929 Jericho Tpke. (Suffolk County cardholders only), elwoodlibrary.org, 631-499-3722.

Half Hollow Hills Community Library, 55 Vanderbilt Pkwy. (district resident cardholders only), hhhlibrary.org, 631-421-4530.

Harborfields Public Library, 31 Broadway, harborfieldslibrary.org, 631-757-4200.

Huntington Library, 338 Main St., myhpl.org, 631-427-5165.

Lorna Rainey will discuss the life of her great-grandfather, Joseph H. Rainey, who was born into slavery in South Carolina and went on to become the nation’s first Black congressman, 5-6 p.m., Wyandanch Public Library, 14 S. 20th St., free, register, wyan.suffolk.lib.ny.us, 631-643-4848.

Opening of exhibit of artwork from Black creatives on how labor influenced Black history and culture, curated by Faith Evans; reception 3-5 p.m. Feb. 16; display continues through Feb. 28, Islip Arts Council, 1701 Sunrise Hwy., free, isliparts.org, 631-888-3525.

Lorna Rainey will discuss the life of her great-grandfather, Joseph H. Rainey, who was born into slavery in South Carolina and went on to become the nation’s first Black congressman, 2:30-3:30 p.m., Brentwood Public Library, 34 Second Ave., free, register, for resident library cardholders only, brentwoodnylibrary.org, 631-273-7883.

Paige Patterson and her quartet will pay tribute to Duke Ellington, Stevie Wonder, Nancy Wilson, Alicia Keys and others, 2-3:30 p.m. Lindenhurst Library, 1 Lee Ave., free, register, for resident library cardholders only, lindenhurstlibrary.org, 631-957-7755.

View the “Lest We Forget” Traveling Slavery Museum of Philadelphia exhibit, which shares artifacts, bill-of-sale documents and Jim Crow objects. Museum director and curator Gwen Ragsdale discusses the exhibit and the mission of the museum at 2 p.m., display open noon-4 p.m., Long Beach Public Library, 111 W. Park Ave., free, register, longbeachlibrary.org, 516-432-7201.

MASSAPEQUA PARK

MUSICAL LEGACY OF THE AFRICAN DIASPORA

Pianist Alexander Wu and his trio perform contributions to music by Africans and the descendants of enslaved Africans around the world, 2-3:30 p.m., Massapequa Public Library, 40 Harbor Lane, free, massapequalibrary.org, 516-799-0770.

WYANDANCH

FILM FESTIVAL

Movie screenings in honor of Black History Month, Wyandanch Public Library, 14 S. 20th St., free, wyan.suffolk.lib.ny.us, 631-643-4848:

10 a.m.-noon, biographical drama “Bessie” (2015, TV-MA, 1:55) about legendary blues performer Bessie Smith, starring Queen Latifah.

12:15-2:15, musical drama “Sparkle” (2012, rated PG-13, 1:56) about sisters who form a girl group and soon become Motown sensations, but the fame creates challenges, starring Whitney Houston and Jordin Sparks.

2:45-4:45 p.m., biographical drama “Bob Marley, One Love” (2024, rated PG-13, 1:47) about reggae icon Bob Marley and how he overcame adversity, and the journey behind his revolutionary music, starring Kingsley Ben-Adir.  

BOHEMIA

FROM JAZZ TO SOUL

Rhonda Denét & the Silver Fox Songs Trio pay tribute to the trailblazing women who shaped the landscape of jazz and soul, including Billie Holiday, Nina Simone, Nancy Wilson and Etta James, 2-3:30 p.m., Connetquot Public Library, 760 Ocean Ave., free, connetquotlibrary.org, 631-567-5079.

FREEPORT

BLACK WHALERS OF LONG ISLAND

The Whaling Museum & Education Center of Cold Spring Harbor examines the role African American mariners played in Long Island whaling history, as well as whaling’s ties to the Underground Railroad, 2:30-3:30 p.m., Freeport Memorial Library, 144 W. Merrick Rd., free, freeportlibrary.info, 516-379-3274.

PORT JEFFERSON STATION CONCERT

Perfect Pitch Project performs songs that honor Black History Month, 1:30-3 p.m., Comsewogue Public Library, 170 Terryville Rd., free, register, for resident cardholders only, cplib.org, 631-928-1212.

WESTBURY

CONCERT

Cody Childs & His Trio perform a Jazz concert for patrons, 2:30-4 p.m., Westbury Library, 445 Jefferson St., free, register, westburylibrary.org, 516-333-0176.

Compiled by Gina Tabarus with Sabrina Monroe, LaToya Rodriguez and Daniel Variano