
Photo by Christian Collins. CC BY-SA 2.0
Sunset over the Natchez-Vidalia Bridge
A city whose history is entrenched in that of cotton—and all that has come to mean in the American South—Natchez, Mississippi is a centerpoint of Black history in our country. This Black History Month, organizations across the city are hosting events that celebrate the long legacy of Black resilience, triumph, and impact in Natchez. “Through our Black History Month programs,” said Roscoe Barnes III, the cultural heritage and tourism manager at Visit Natchez, “we aim to honor the stories of those who helped shape our community, emphasize the ongoing pursuit of justice, and inspire future generations to champion unity and progress.”
Attend Concerts at Alcorn State University
February 4 at 6 pm and February 13 at 1 pm
In the Joyce J. Bolden Fine Arts Building (Little Theater), Alcorn University will host two special, free events honoring the rich musical legacies of African Americans. On February 4, the Fine Arts Faculty will perform works honoring the contributions of Black composers, and on February 13, the school’s Concert Choir will present a program of Black spirituals. For more information, call (601) 877-3962.
Attend the “Celebrating Excellence” Program at the Frazier Extended Education and Cultural Enrichment Center
February 16 at 4 pm
Celebrate Black History Month with Miss-Lou youth, who will present skits, dances, songs, and oratorical performances—all honoring the achievements of outstanding Black Americans. The show is free and open to the public. For more information, call (601) 334-4104.
Attend the Natchez Historical Society Meeting—“Memory Lessons: Meeting the Imperative For Racial Justice through Memory, Memorials, Knowledge, and Empowerment”
February 25 at 5:30 pm
This month’s Natchez Historical Society meeting, held at the Historic Natchez Foundation, will include a presentation by Dr. Paula C. Johnson, a professor at Syracuse University College of Law and director of the Cold Case Justice Initiative. Following a brief social, Johnson will speak on CCJI’s efforts to seek justice for unsolved Civil Rights Era crimes, while preserving the victims’ legacies. Free and open to the public. natchezhistoricalsociety.org.
See the Black History Art Exhibit at WTYJ/WMIS
February 1–28, 10 am–6 pm
For the third year, New Vision Media presents an exhibition of work by students from the Natchez-Adams County area, to be displayed in the lobby of the WTYJ/WMIS radio station. This year’s exhibit was organized by Leon Hollins III and is centered on the history of the 3rd U.S. Colored Calvary Regiment and its role in the Civil War in Natchez. Free and open to the public. For more information, call (601) 334-0987.
Take a Black History Tour of Natchez
February 1–28
Beloved local tour guide Tracy A. Collins, or “Rev” is known for guiding people through the rich and complicated history of the Delta. This month, he is offering cultural heritage tours focusing on Natchez’s history of enslavement, and how the Civil Rights Movement played out here. Tours available by appointment at revscountrytours.com.
Visit the Rhythm Night Club Memorial Museum
February 1–28
This historic night club was once the place for Black leaders in Natchez to gather and let loose, until a fateful night in 1940 when a fire killed the over two hundred people who had come to see the Walter Barnes Orchestra of Chicago. During Black History Month, the Museum erected in the spot of the old nightclub is hosting tours that focus on the lives and legacies of its patrons, at half the normal cost of admission. rnconsitemm.org.
In addition to these events, Natchez is home to several significant sites commemorating and exploring Black history, including the site of the former market of the enslaved Forks of the Road, The Natchez Museum of African American History and Culture, The William Johnson House, the Dr. John Bowman Banks Museum, and other sites along the Natchez African American History Trail. Learn more at visitnatchez.org.