Black history takes the spotlight this month with a series of programs that use visual art, dance, music and even cooking to highlight the triumphs of the Black diaspora. Here are a handful of Black History Month events that will take place in the coming weeks.

FREEDALLAS MAVERICKS BLACK HISTORY MONTH ART CONTEST Students in grades 8-12 who attend schools within 75 miles of American Airlines Center can submit their original artwork depicting the impact of Black leaders past and present. The deadline to submit an entry is Feb. 21. The grand prize winner will fly on American Airlines to visit a city rich with Black history. The top five winners will be treated to a luxury suite on March 7 to watch the Mavs play basketball against the Utah Jazz.

Plus, the top artists will have their works displayed at the AAC on March 7 and in anexhibition at the African American Museum of Dallas during March.

■ Entries accepted through Feb. 21 at 11:59 p.m. Free to enter; submit via mavs.com/ blackhistory.

THE HENRY B. TIPPIE NATIONAL AVIATION EDUCATION CENTER BLACK HISTORY MONTH EXHIBITS The Commemorative Air Force’s new education center at Dallas Executive Airport celebrates Black History Month with a short film highlighting the proud history and struggles of the Tuskegee Airmen, a group of primarily Black military pilots and airmen who fought in World War II. Along with the film there is an exhibit dedicated to the life of Brig. Gen. Charles McGee, a former Tuskegee Airman who died at age 102 in January.

■ Through Feb. 26, Tuesdays-Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Henry B. Tippie National Aviation Education Center, 5657 Mariner Drive, Dallas. $10-$15, free for children 5 and younger. flynaec.org.

VIRTUAL2022 BLACK HISTORY MONTH VIRTUAL FESTIVAL Join the African American Museum for a series of virtual programs celebrating the Black History Month theme of Black health and wellness. The festival, presented by the Association for the Study of African American Life and History, includes author talks, panel discussions and more. A two-part seminar explores the exploitation of Black bodies for the advancement of science and medicine and looks at issues facing today’s Black athletes. See the website for registration and ticketing information. (For more on the African American Museum and information on current exhibits, see

Page 25.)

■ Online through Feb. 27. Some programs require a ticket. asalh.org/festival.

VIRTUALBLACK HISTORY MONTH CHEF COOKING SERIES Take a virtual cooking class with top Black chefs during February. Hosted by Central Market, the sessions feature recipes and the chefs’ personal stories. Ticket options include the virtual demo only, or you can order an ingredient kit and cook along with the chef. The schedule includes Pierre Thiam (Feb. 4), Marcus Samuelsson (Feb. 18) and Chris Williams (Feb. 28).

■ Online Feb. 4, 18 and 28 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. $10-$100. centralmarket.com/ cooking-school-in-store-events.

FREEKIMBELL KIDS DROP-IN STUDIO — INSPIRED BY AFRICA: CLAY AMULETS Drop by to get inspired by African sculptures in the Fort Worth museum’s permanent collections. Kids can try their hand at creating their own artwork with free take-home art kits.

■ Feb. 5 from 1 to 1:45 p.m. at the Kimbell Art Museum, 3333 Camp Bowie Blvd., Fort Worth. Free. kimbellart.org.

FREE“ART UNINTERRUPTED” —

BLACK HISTORY MONTH VISUAL ARTS EXHIBITION The Irving Black Arts Council’s annual exhibition opens with a meet-the-artists reception on Feb. 5 from 5 to 7 p.m. Featured artists include Nikki Delk, Vanessa Meshack, Kumiko Johnson, Alijah Thomas, Lloyd Mays and Warrick McDonald. There’ll also be a pop-up gallery by Pan African Connection. After the opening, the exhibition will be on display in the main gallery through Feb. 26.

■ Feb. 5-26, Tuesdays-Saturdays from noon to

5 p.m. at the Irving Arts Center, 3333 N. MacArthur Blvd., Irving. Free. irvingartscenter.com.

FREELEGACY WEST MUSIC SERIES Saturday night pop-up concerts in February salute Black History Month with artists Troy Grant (Feb. 5), Maya Piata (Feb. 19) and Kirk Thurmond (Feb. 26). Grab a bite and a sip and enjoy the music in front of the Nike and Free People stores.

■ Feb. 5-26 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Legacy West, 5905 Legacy Drive, Plano. Free. legacywest.com/events.

FREESHADES OF BLACK A performance salutes the Black experience through dance, spoken word and music. Artists include Damoyee, Bandan Koro African Drum and Dance, Beckles Dancing Company, OS Malandros De Mestre Touro and Laura Neal. The two-hour program is free, but seating and tickets are limited.

■ Feb. 11 from 7 to 9 p.m. at the South Dallas Cultural Center, 3400 S. Fitzhugh Ave., Dallas. Free. sdcc.dallasculture.org/shades-of-black.

FREEBLACK CINEMA FILM SCREENINGS Watch and discuss the rich history of Black film at Dallas Public Library locations. Screenings include In the Heat of the Night, with the late Sidney Poitier, on Feb. 12 and Blindspotting, starring Daveed Diggs, on Feb. 26. On

Feb. 19, Kimberly Hill, a film expert and assistant professor of U.S. and African American History at the University of Texas at Dallas, will lead a discussion of Black movie culture.

■ Feb. 12 and 19 at the Forest Green Branch Library, 9619 Greenville Ave., Dallas, and Feb. 26 at the Skillman Southwestern Branch Library, 5707 Skillman, Dallas, from noon to 3 p.m. Free with registration. dallaslibrary2.org.

FREESECOND SUNDAY FUNDAY: CELEBRATING BLACK HISTORY MONTH February’s edition of the free drop-in art program celebrates Black history. Families can roam the Irving Arts Center’s galleries for inspiration, then work together to create art inspired by African American artists past and present. Art supplies are provided.

■ Feb. 13 from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Irving Arts Center, 3333 N. MacArthur Blvd., Irving. Free. irvingartscenter.com.

BLACK WALL STREET BURNING — A BLACK CARPET PREMIERESee the director’s cut of a new documentary, written and directed by Marcus Brown and Dekoven Riggins, detailing the Tulsa race massacre of 1921. Roaring ’20s-themed dress is encouraged.

■ Feb. 17 from 6 to 10 p.m. at Look Cinema,

10110 Technology Blvd. E., Dallas. $20. eventbrite.com.

BILL PICKETT INVITATIONAL RODEO The rodeo honors Black cowboy and cowgirl culture with reenactments, history highlights, Western lore and rodeo action. The National Multicultural Western Heritage Museum presents a pre-rodeo concert on Feb. 18 featuring Southern soul singer LJ Echols.

■ Concert: Feb. 18 at 8 p.m. at the Warehouse,

1125 E. Berry St., Fort Worth. $35-$55. nmwhm.org.

■ Rodeo: Feb. 19 at 1:30 and 7:30 p.m. at Cowtown Coliseum, 121 E. Exchange Ave., Fort Worth. $15-$60. billpickettrodeo.com.

FREESTORYTELLER TONI SIMMONS The popular storyteller entertains families with stories, music and movement. The program is free, no registration required.

■ Feb. 19 from 2 to 3 p.m. at the Lewisville Public Library, 1197 W. Main St., Lewisville. Free. cityoflewisville.com.

WHO WE ARE: A CHRONICLE OF RACISM

IN AMERICA Civil rights lawyer Jeffery Robinson narrates a stark timeline of anti-Black racism in the United States in the documentary by Emily and Sarah Kunstler. The film is in wide release and also screens as part of the Magnolia at the Modern film series.

■ Feb. 25 at 3:45, 6 and 8:15 p.m., Feb. 26 at 5 p.m., Feb. 27 at 11:45 a.m., 2 and 4:15 p.m. at the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth, 3200 Darnell St.,

Fort Worth. $10, $5 for the early show on Feb. 27. themodern.org.

FESTIVAL OF BLACK DANCE: RHYTHM AND SOUL OF A PEOPLE The Black Academy of Arts and Letters brings the Atlanta Dance Connection together with TBAAL alumni Omar Humphrey, Xavier Santafield, Tyree Bey and Dereque Whitrus for two evenings of contemporary and modern dance. In addition to the public performances, there will be a student-only show on Feb. 25 and a Black Dance Master Class on Feb. 26.

■ Feb. 25-26 at 8 p.m. at Naomi Bruton Main Stage, 1309 Canton St., Dallas. $10. ticketmaster.com.

Twitter: @NormaLCavazos