Boulder County will continue its celebration of Black History Month with events this weekend highlighting Black artists and creators.

Saturday will feature appearances in Longmont and Lafayette by author Nyibol Bior, who will share her views on treating people with respect in her talk, “Changing Your Blues to Blue Skies.”

Born in South Sudan and now a resident of New Mexico, Bior will also lead a kids’ art activity after her talk.

“We promote our youth by way of the arts,” said Madelyn Strong Woodley, event coordinator and founder of the Longmont-based Executive Committee for African American Cultural Events.

“We want our youth to know that we celebrate them.”

Bior’s events will be held at 10 a.m. at the Longmont Museum, 400 Quail Road, and at 3 p.m. at the Lafayette Public Library, 775 Baseline Road.

Both are free to the public — a key component for Woodley, who also serves on the executive committee for NAACP Boulder County.

“If our objective is education and not money, then we want it to be affordable for everybody,” she said. “And the best price I know is free.”

On Sunday, the Nashville African American Wind Symphony will play at the University of Colorado Boulder’s Macky Auditorium from 3 to 5 p.m.

Concertgoers get free access to the first out-of-state performance by the ensemble, composed of over 50 classically trained musicians.

“We’re excited about bringing them, and we’re trying to get the Longmont community to show up,” Woodley said.

“Come out and get to know them.”

Other events put on this month included a Black author exhibit at the Longmont Public Library and Boulder County art galleries with works from local Black artists.

Once Black History Month ends, ECAACE and NAACP Boulder County will start focusing on the Juneteenth celebration this summer, Woodley said.

While Saturday’s talks and Sunday’s concert are free, guests are asked to register in advance.

Register for Saturday’s talks at bit.ly/3IolJOt and for Sunday’s concert at naacpbouldercounty.org.