Celebrating Black History Month in Downtown Pittsburgh

February is Black History Month! Honor and celebrate African American history, heritage, and culture through a variety of programming happening in Downtown throughout the month.

Exhibitions

All Month | On Display: Highlights from the August Wilson Archive 
📍City-County Building Lobby

All Month | August Wilson: The Writer’s Landscape
📍August Wilson African American Cultural Center

All Month | Exploration of COLOR 2.0: A Retrospective of Works by Jo-Anne Bates
📍820 Gallery

All Month | #notwhite collective 2016-2022
📍Space Gallery

Shows and Events

Through February 19 | A Midsummer Night’s Dream in Harlem
📍Pittsburgh Public Theater

February 7 | JazzLive Series: James Johnson III
📍Liberty Magic

February 10 | Uhuru Jazz Sessions: Vanisha Gould
📍August Wilson African American Cultural Center

February 11 | Soul Sessions: Peabo Bryson
📍August Wilson African American Cultural Center

February 11 | BIPOCALYPSE Improv Show
Part of Arcade Comedy Theater’s Black History Month Celebration Series
📍Arcade Comedy Theater

 February 11 – 25  | Guided Tours – Pittsburgh: Beyond Adversity
📍Heinz History Center

February 14 | Anita Levels – Valentine’s Day Special
📍Liberty Magic

February 15 | From Slavery to Freedom Film Series: “Torchbearers”
Part of the African American Program at the Heinz History Center free event series
📍Heinz History Center – Virtual Event

February 16 | Intermission: The Happy Hour Series
📍August Wilson African American Cultural Center

February 17 | IMO NSE IMEH: THE HOPE OF RADIANCE – Opening Reception
📍August Wilson African American Cultural Center

February 17 | Ninth Annual Black History Month Lecture: “The Black Fives: The Epic Story of Basketball’s Forgotten Era”
Part of the African American Program at the Heinz History Center free event series
📍Heinz History Center

February 18 | The Collaboration Festival: A Celebration of the African Diaspora
📍Trust Arts Education Center

February 18 | Far from the Village: Learnmore Jonasi
Part of Arcade Comedy Theater’s Black History Month Celebration Series
📍Arcade Comedy Theater

February 22 | The History of Hill City Youth Municipality *
*For students and teachers only
📍Heinz History Center

February 25 | The Comedy Roast of Tyler Perry
Part of Arcade Comedy Theater’s Black History Month Celebration Series
📍Arcade Comedy Theater

March 4 | What’s White and Black and Funny All Over
Part of Arcade Comedy Theater’s Black History Month Celebration Series
📍Arcade Comedy Theater

Did we miss a Downtown exhibition or event on this list? Let us know.

Retailers

There’s no better way to support Black-owned businesses than by shopping locally. Check out these Black-owned Downtown businesses and artisans below. Follow Cocoapreneur or search Soul Pitt to discover more businesses citywide.

Blakbird Jewelry 
Blakbird Jewelry features jewelry, clothing, and home decor.

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Clark Fit Boxing and Fitness | 433 Market St | 412.523.3563
Clark Fit Boxing and Fitness is a gym that offers group classes, private sessions, and more, overlooking Market Square.

Cobbler World | 1059 Penn Ave | 412.403.2158
Cobbler World is a baked goods company specializing in cobblers, cakes, and pies. 

The Cultural’s Elite Salon | 950 Penn Ave 2nd Floor | 412.391.1717
The Cultural’s Elite is a full-service salon and barber located on Penn Avenue.

Edina Style Accessories & Gifts | 120 Fifth Ave | 412.224.3420
Edina Style and Accessories provides over thirty years of experience in unique styling in fashion.

Edo Scribes & Pleasantries
Edo Scribes & Pleasantries offers crafted accessories, handmade stationery, greeting cards, and business and home decor.

Island Fresh Skincare | 7800 Susquehanna St Unit 406 | islandfresh.sc@hotmail.com
Island Fresh Skincare provides products that are non-toxic and gentle on skin.

Janet Watkins Ceramics
Janet Watkins Ceramics specializes in creating unique jewelry, sculpture, and home goods.

KMJ Metalworks
KMJ Metalworks creates metal screens and artworks with hand sketches and digital drawings.

Knotzland | 303 South Trenton Avenue | 412.256.8470
Knotzland specializes in custom handcrafted bow ties made from repurposed and reclaimed materials.

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Prime Time Cuts & Styles | 410 Forbes Ave | 412.586.7523
Prime Time Cuts & Styles is a hair salon located on Forbes Avenue.

Reserve Design Studio | 500 Grant St | 412.232.3440
Reserve Design Studio is an all-natural, full-service hair and nail salon located in BNY Mellon Center.

Roost Design Build
Roost Design Build builds its collection of standardized designs featuring customizable elements, including materials and finishes.

Squeeze Cafe | 1 Market St.
This newly opened cafe serves breakfast, smoothies, and wraps.

TWELVE\TWENTY STUDIO
TWELVE\TWENTY STUDIO offers art accents for interior design and home décor.

Wellness Withn
Wellness Withn creates candles, eye pillows, abdomen pillows, aromatherapy mists, and other wellness products.

Yerimahs Sisters Beauty Supply Store | 100 Fifth Ave | 412.281.3390
Yerimahs Sisters Beauty Supply Store is the largest Black-owned beauty supply store in Pittsburgh.

Did we miss your business on this list of Black-owned Downtown retailers? Let us know.