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February is Black History Month, a time to honor the stories, achievements, and everyday lives of Black Americans. In Milwaukee, there are powerful ways to celebrate as a family—from museum visits and film screenings to simple at-home conversations and books on your couch.
Below you’ll find Black History Month events and exhibits in Milwaukee (2026), plus family-friendly ideas you can use all year to help your kids learn, honor, and celebrate Black history and culture.
💡 Want to see everything happening around the city this month? Browse our full Milwaukee Events Calendar for February events.
Quick Look: Black History Month Events & Sites in Milwaukee
- Wisconsin Black Historical Society/Museum – exhibits on African American history in Wisconsin
- America’s Black Holocaust Museum – chronological journey through 400+ years of history
- Milwaukee Public Museum – the Watson family home in Streets of Old Milwaukee
- Milwaukee Film’s Black History Month series – Screenings at the Oriental Theatre
- Black-owned bookstore Rooted MKE – kids’ books and reading challenge
Black History Month Events & Exhibits in Milwaukee (2026)
Black History Month Reading Challenge
One of the easiest ways to celebrate Black History Month with kids is simply to read together. Build your home library with stories by Black authors and books that feature Black kids as the main characters—not just in February, but all year.
In Milwaukee, you can:
- Join the Milwaukee Public Library’s Black History Month Reading Challenge to give kids a fun goal and reading tracker.
- Visit Rooted MKE, a BIPOC children’s bookstore, to browse picture books, chapter books, and YA titles.
Wisconsin Black Historical Society/Museum
2620 W. Center St., Milwaukee, WI 53206
The Wisconsin Black Historical Society is in its 30th year of preserving Wisconsin’s African American history.
Current exhibits include Work’n In The Promised Land: The African American Labor Experience in Wisconsin, and Ancient Eqypt to Modern Milwaukee. See the world unfold before your eyes, from ancient Egyptian civilization to early African American settlers in rural Wisconsin.
A larger-than-life mural provides a glimpse of modern life of African Americans in Milwaukee.
The Watson Family Home at Milwaukee Public Museum
800 W. Wells St., Milwaukee, WI 53233
mpm.edu
Visit the Museum during Black History Month and learn about the Watson family! Sully and Susanna Watson took their family from the oppressive conditions of antebellum Virginia in 1834 and, after several years in Ohio, arrived in Milwaukee in 1850.
Through skilled labor and business entrepreneurship, the couple played a vital role in establishing Milwaukee’s black middle class. You’ll find the replica Watson House in the Streets of Old Milwaukee exhibit.
Black History Month at Milwaukee Film
Oriental Theater, 2230 N. Farwell Ave., Milwaukee, WI 53202
mkefilm.org
Milwaukee Film’s Sixth annual Black History Month celebration will showcase engaging and entertaining film screenings and conversations curated by the Black Lens program throughout February.
Under African Skies
UWM Manfred Olson Planetarium, 1900 E. Kenwood Blvd., Milwaukee, WI 53211
uwm.edu/planetarium
Experience stars, stories, and cultural perspectives across the expansive African continent. Each Friday typically features a different guest speaker who will talk about their country, culture, and connections to the night sky. Enjoy treats from Immy’s African Cuisine after the programs.
The program will include an indoor stargazing session of the night sky followed by the opportunity to ask questions. Not recommended for children under 4.
America’s Black Holocaust Museum (ABHM)
401 W. North Avenue, Milwaukee, WI 53212
abhmuseum.org
America’s Black Holocaust Museum in Milwaukee’s historic Bronzeville neighborhood takes visitors on a chronological journey through more than 400 years of African American history—from pre-captivity in Africa to the present day.
Families move at their own pace through immersive exhibits, photos, and stories that highlight both the horrors of racial violence and the resilience, creativity, and joy of Black communities.
This is a powerful, emotional experience; older kids, tweens, and teens may get the most out of it. Consider planning time afterward to talk about what they saw and how they’re feeling.
Everyday Ways to Celebrate Black History With Kids
Make Arts and Crafts in Honor of Black History Month
There are so many arts and crafts you can make with your kids to celebrate Black History Month (hello Pinterest!).
Participate in the activity with your kids; explain what you’re making/coloring and why you’re doing it, keep their artwork and save it over the years to put on your fridge every year.
Connect Black History to Areas of Interest
Think about your kids and their interests or hobbies. Are your kids into music? Sports? Art? Match their interest with Black contributors in that field.
For example, if your kids love music, host a dance party featuring different styles of Black music throughout the ages. In the mood for food? There are many Black-owned southern inspired cuisine spots in the Milwaukee area.
Support Black Owned Businesses
One simple way to honor Black History Month is to be intentional about where you spend your money.
Involve your kids by:
- Choosing a Black-owned restaurant for your next family meal.
- Letting them pick out a book, toy, or piece of art from a Black-owned shop.
- Following Black-owned businesses on social media and sharing their posts.
To find local businesses, explore mkeblack.org., an online directory of Black-owned businesses in Milwaukee.
Start Conversations
Simply talk to your kids; help your kids understand the fight for justice and the hard truths. Discuss the history of unfair treatment towards Black people due to the color of their skin. Discussing the fight for justice encourages empathy.
Whether you have babies, toddlers, preschoolers, school agers, or teens, there are age appropriate terms you can use to have these discussions or tools you can use to introduce them to the conversation.
No matter what you choose to do with your kids for Black History Month, it’s important to make any and all activities fun, memorable, and intentional.
Did we miss any Black history events? Let us know by emailing hello@mkewithkids.com.
Calie Herbst, Editor-in-Chief of Milwaukee With Kids, has spent over a decade combining her experiences as a parent of three to create a hub for Milwaukee’s family adventures.
Her decade-long teaching career in Milwaukee Public Schools and academic background, including a Master’s in Teaching from Marquette University and dual B.A.s in Sociology and Spanish from the University of Wisconsin – Madison, fuel her passion for inclusive and engaging family content.
Calie is also a recognized voice in local media, contributing to WISN Channel 12 News, WTMJ Wisconsin Morning News, Fox 6’s Real Milwaukee, and B93.3.
Discover more about Calie’s journey and editorial approach on her About Page and Editorial Policy Page.
