By Hayley Robb, Building Kentucky
This February, Black History Month comes at a time when we need it more than ever. All month-long restaurants, shops and airports all over Kentucky are joining in to celebrate the history, achievement and culture of Black Americans.
Although 2020 proved we have a long road ahead, 2021 has shown us there is hope. Growth comes when learning from one another, together.
Black History Month In Kentucky
The Sky’s the Limit: A Celebration of the History of Black Achievement in Aviation
The Louisville Regional Airport Authority has announced Bowman Field will be hosting an exhibit honoring the Black aviation community and achievement in the field.
The exhibit is free and will showcase a series of visuals to give visitors a glimpse of how these men and women got their start in aviation, any adversity they experienced and how they achieved greatness.
The exhibit will showcase 14 individuals and organizations including:
- Bessie Coleman: First Black woman to receive a pilot’s license
- Katherine Johnson: Black female mathematician who helped send a NASA astronaut in an Earth-orbiting mission
- Robert Lawrence: First Black astronaut with a pilot’s designation
Location: Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport | Bowman Field Terminal Building
When: February 1 – 28; Monday – Friday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Saturday – Sunday 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Chef’s Week Celebration of Black History Month: Honeywood Restaurant
Lexington’s Honeywood executive chef Lawrence Weeks is hosting the second annual culinary celebration of Black History Month on Feb. 26 and Feb. 27. Weeks, a Louisville native, grew up cooking in a Southern Creole/Cajun household with his mother’s family from Southwest Louisiana and his father’s from Central Kentucky.
The event will feature guest chefs Ashleigh Shanti from Asheville, North Carolina and BJ Dennis from Charleston, South Carolina who will collaborate with Weeks to create a unique menu that celebrates their personal culinary journeys.
The collaborative menu will celebrate often-overlooked food identifies, Black chefs, farmers, artists and musicians. The event will be hosted by Ashley Smith from Black Soil, a Black Farmers group.
Dinner will be served a la carte with plates ranging from $8 to $20. Reservations can be made online or by phone.
Location: Honeywood | 110 Summit at Fritz Farm, Suite 140 Lexington, KY, 40517
When: February 26 at 5:30 p.m.; February 27 at 10 p.m.
Last Saturday Sculpture Tour: The Complexity of Black History Month
Josephine Sculpture Park in Frankfort, Kentucky is hosting a one-hour walking tour exploring the various sculptures created by Black and biracial artists in the park. The tour will include information on each sculpture, the artists and historical context.
Event organizers said conversation about the complexities of Black History Month and racial equity in the arts will also be discussed. Masks are required and all ages are welcome. There is $10 admission fee per person.
Josephine Sculpture Park is a 30-acre park that provides education and creative experiences while preserving the natural land. The park is free and open from dawn until dusk.
Location: Josephine Sculpture Park | 3355 Lawrenceburg Road Frankfort, KY 40601
When: Saturday, February 27 from 1 to 2 p.m.
