Feb 16-28, 2026
Doing
Washington, DC
Black History Month Exhibit Receptions & Artist Talks | Daily through Feb 28, 2:00–6:00 p.m. (artist talks some Saturdays) | Free (RSVP for receptions) | Zenith Gallery, Washington, DC
National Gallery Nights: The Stars We Do Not See | Feb 12, 6:00–9:00 p.m. | Free, registration required | National Gallery of Art – East Building, DC
Nick Cave: Mammoth | Daily Feb 13, 2026 – Jan 3, 2027; 11:30 a.m.–7:00 p.m. | Free | Smithsonian American Art Museum, DC
Explore Works by Black Artists | Ongoing, Daily 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. | Free | National Gallery of Art, National Mall, DC
Celebrate with Dance – Black History Month Series | Various dates throughout February | Varies by event | Maryland Youth Ballet & partner venues, DC region
Kente Weaving Workshop | Feb 16, 2026 (time TBD) | About $40 | Sankofa Video, Books & Cafe, 2714 Georgia Ave NW, DC
New York City
AFROSOCIAL New York – Black History Month Networking Event | Thu Feb 19, 2026, 6:30–9:30 p.m. | From free/low-cost (see page) | The Yard: Herald Square, Manhattan, NY
Marketing Speed Networking – NYC Multi-Industry | Upcoming Tuesday, 7:00 p.m. | Typically $0–$30 | Financial District, NYC (venue varies)
Entrepreneur Speed Networking – NYC Multi-Industry | Upcoming Wednesday, 7:00 p.m. | Typically $0–$30 | The Cloud One Lounge, FiDi, NYC
Los Angeles
2026 Annual African Cultural & Community Well-being Summit | Sat Feb 21, 2026, 10:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. PST | Typically free–low-cost (see tickets) | Magic Johnson Recreation Center, 12645 Wadsworth Ave, Los Angeles, CA
Los Angeles – Black Professionals Network Events | Various dates, evenings | Often free–$25 | Greater Los Angeles (venues vary)
Miami & South Florida
South Beach Wine & Food Festival (SOBEWFF) | Feb 19–22, 2026 | Ticketed; prices vary by event | Miami Beach, FL
Exquisite: A Black Art, Food & Wine Experience | Feb 21, 2026 (time TBD) | Ticketed; see site | Pompano Beach, FL (Greater Miami/Ft. Lauderdale region)
Plan-ahead Majors
- Jazz in the Gardens (Black music festival) | Sat Mar 7 – Sun Mar 8 | $100+ | Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens FL – https://jazzinthegardens.com
- National Cherry Blossom Festival Pink Tie Party (networking gala) | Fri Mar 13 | $250+ | Washington, DC (TBA) – https://nationalcherryblossomfestival.org
Did you make it to??
Pan African Film + Arts Festival (PAFF) | Feb 9–16, 2026 | Ticketed; passes available | Cinemark Baldwin Hills & XD and Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza, Los Angeles, CA
New York Fashion Week – February Shows | Feb 11–16, 2026 | Mostly invite/ticketed; select public | Various venues, Manhattan, NY
D.C. Independent Film Forum (DCIFF) | Feb 11–16, 2026 | Ticketed | Regal Gallery Place, Washington, DC
Martha’s Vineyard (Start Planning)
- Black Week on the Vineyard 2026 | July 27–Aug 2, 2026 | Martha’s Vineyard, MA
- Martha’s Vineyard Comedy Fest | August 3-21, 2026 | Martha’s Vineyard, MA
- Martha’s Vineyard Black Book Festival |Saturday, August 15, 2026 | Martha’s Vineyard
- Martha’s Vineyard African American Film Festival | August | Martha’s Vineyard, MA
Reading
Tayari Jones | Kin | Feb 24, 2026 | Fiction | Harper
Terah Shelton Harris | Where the Wildflowers Grow | Feb 17, 2026 | Fiction | HarperVia
L. Michelle Smith | Call & Response: 10 Leadership Lessons From The Black Church | Feb 10, 2026 | Non-fiction | HarperOne – https://bookshop.org/books/call-response/9780063337892
Sheinelle Jones | Through Mom’s Eyes | Feb 10, 2026 | Memoir | HarperCollins
r.h. Sin | She Outgrew the Wound | Feb 10, 2026 | Poetry | Andrews McMeel
- MahoganyBooks Black Love Day Game Night | Friday, February 13, 2026, 3:30–5:30 p.m. | Free (registration required) | MahoganyBooks National Harbor, 121 American Way, Oxon Hill, MD 20745
- Book Release Party for Maya Rupert’s The Real Ones | Wednesday, February 11, 2026, 7:00–8:00 p.m. | Free (RSVP on Eventbrite) | Loyalty Bookstore, Washington, DC
- DC Reads: Author Panel & Book Signing at MLK Jr. Memorial Library | Thursday, March 20, 2026, evening (time TBA) | Free | Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library, 901 G St NW, Washington, DC (in partnership with DC Public Library)
Eating
Lyon Hall: Bordeaux Wine Dinner Featuring Château Mondésir-Gazin (TUES, 2/24): Lyon Hall will host a Bordeaux Wine Dinner featuring five courses paired with wines from Château Mondésir-Gazin with winemaker Jean-Pierre Simons in attendance. The menu includes Grilled Oyster Brûlé, Smoked Duck Salad, and Braised Lamb Ribs. Tuesday (2/24) at 6:00 PM for $125 pp. Reservations (here).
The Wildset Hotel: Thai Cooking Class with Chesapeake Thai (SAT, 2/28): The Wildset Hotel in St. Michaels, MD will host a Thai Cooking Workshop on Saturday (2/28) at 6:00 PM. The hands-on experience invites guests to learn classic Thai techniques and prepare a curated menu featuring fresh summer rolls with three dipping sauces, a stir-fried cabbage side, and additional signature Thai dishes — paired with a welcome cocktail. The event is designed for food lovers and home cooks seeking an immersive culinary experience on Maryland’s Eastern Shore. Tickets start at approximately $137.68 and include instruction, ingredients, and plated tastings. You can purchase tickets here.
Tapori: An Indian-Italian Collab with Cucina Morini! (SUN, 3/1): James Beard ‘246 semifinalists Chef Suresh Sundas of Daru/Tapori and Chef Matt Adler of Cucina Morini and Caruso’s Grocery will collaborate at Tapori for one-night-only. The two kitchens will create a special à la carte menu that brings together Tapori’s Indian street food energy with the rustic, tradition-driven Italian approach that defines Adler’s cooking. The evening is a celebration of two kitchens that have long respected each other finally cooking side by side.
Jônt: On BERRIES – Walk Around Tasting Event (SUN, 3/1): On March 1st, 12-1:30pm, Jônt will celebrate National Strawberry Day with a special open-house style event in partnership with ON BERRIES – a premiere Korean strawberry brand prized for their sweetness and flavor. Additionally, experience curated beverages inspired to compliment berry-themed pastries. Book here.
Jônt x Royal Sushi: Exclusive dinner with W50 Best #32, Roya Sushi & Izakaya (SUN, 3/8): Jônt welcomes World’s 50 Best North America No. 32 Royal Sushi & Izakaya for a collaboration dinner ($495 per person), featuring 8x James Beard Foundation nominee & finalist, Chef Jesse Ito, alongside Chef Ryan Ratino. The one-night-only menu showcases impeccably sourced seafood, pristine technique, and bold izakaya-inspired bites. Reserve via OpenTable.
Tapori: “Nepal Gastronomy Gala Dinner” (WEDS, 3/18): Acclaimed chefs from around the world will unite with Chefs Baburam Sharma and Suresh Sundas, both from Nepal, for an exclusive five-course dinner celebrating Nepali cuisine and culture. Each course showcases the vibrant flavors, aromatic spices, and rich culinary traditions of Nepal through diverse perspectives and masterful techniques. This collaborative experience honors heritage while embracing innovation. Reserve here.
Watching
Reality Check: Inside America’s Next Top Model | February 16, 2026 | Documentary | Netflix
Imperfect Women | March 18, 2026 | Thriller/Drama | Apple TV+
The Dutchman | January 2, 2026 | Drama/Thriller | Theaters (Rogue Pictures)
Our Secret | 2026 (Berlin premiere, wider 2026 release) | Family Drama/Magical Realism | Festival circuit, theatrical TBA
Ruth & Boaz | September 26, 2025 | Romance/Drama | Netflix
