BHM 2025

The 2025 Woods Hole Black History Month Celebration

Theme: African Americans and Labor

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Every year, members of the Woods Hole Community come together to celebrate Black History Month to build a stronger community through diversity. Our Committee serves the six scientific research institutions in the village of Woods Hole, Massachusetts on Cape Cod. We have since the 1870’s been a hub and center for scientific discovery in the marine sciences, oceanography, fisheries sciences, medical research, and many more areas of STEM. The purpose of our Committee is to work towards an inclusive and welcoming place for all and hosting events, lectures, and talks each year around diversity and inclusion is at the heart of our governance.

About the 2025 theme, from the Association for the Study of African American Life and History

“The 2025 Black History Month theme, African Americans and Labor, focuses on the various and profound ways that work and working of all kinds – free and unfree, skilled, and unskilled, vocational and voluntary – intersect with the collective experiences of Black people. Indeed, work is at the very center of much of Black history and culture. Be it the traditional agricultural labor of enslaved Africans that fed Low Country colonies, debates among Black educators on the importance of vocational training, self-help strategies and entrepreneurship in Black communities, or organized labor’s role in fighting both economic and social injustice, Black people’s work has been transformational throughout the U.S., Africa, and the Diaspora. The 2025 Black History Month theme, “African Americans and Labor,” sets out to highlight and celebrate the potent impact of
this work.”

We encourage you to read the rest of the description on the ASALH site.

CLICK HERE TO VISIT THE ASALH SITE

2025 BLACK HISTORY MONTH EVENTS

All events are open to the public.

Advanced registration is suggested for some events. Details for each event are below.

Tales of Transatlantic Freedom

Thursday, February 6, 2025 at 10:50 AM

Falmouth Academy, Simon Center for the Arts, 7 Highfield Drive, Falmouth, MA

Glorious Mezzo-Soprano Andrea Baker in collaboration with award-winning international composer Howard Moody and artistic director John Paul McGroarty will present their original work, Tales of Transatlantic Freedom. Combining gentle movement, poetry excerpts, performance, piano, and song, Baker and Moody accompany audiences on an emotional journey that lays bare the interconnectedness of our musical heritage and our potential for reconciliation while celebrating African diasporic narratives from our living musical cultures of folk, blues, jazz, psalm-singing, and opera.

Info: falmouthacademy.org/community

“Union”

Woods Hole Film Festival “Dinner & A Movie” Series Screening

Saturday, February 15, 2025 at 6:00 PM

WHOI, Redfield Auditorium, 45 Water Street, Woods Hole

Restaurant discounts come with ticket purchases, and a limited number of discounted tickets are available. Info & Tickets: woodsholefilmfestival.org

Trivia and Food Truck

Tuesday, February 18, 2025 from 6:00-8:00 PM

Falmouth Cape Verdean Club (CVC), 126 Sandwich Rd, Teaticket

(Plenty of parking, but carpooling is still encouraged!)

An evening of good food and good fun with specially curated Black History Month trivia, prizes, and soulful comfort food provided by Falmouth’s own THE KTCHN food truck. Families are welcome, and minors must be accompanied by an adult.

Trivia is free. Food and beverages are available for purchase.

Registration by Sunday, February 1, 2025, is requested. For registration, CLICK HERE.

We are excited to host TheKtchn food truck with meals for purchase starting at 6 PM in the CVC parking lot: https://thektchnfoodtruck.com/. Additionally, the CVC has a bar with sodas and alcoholic drinks for purchase. Light table snacks will be provided.

We welcome teams of up to 4 people, including families (with all minors accompanied by an adult). If you are an individual that wants to participate, please sign up and we will add you to a Team. Team signup closes on Feb 1. For registration, CLICK HERE.

The 2025 Black History Month Theme is “African Americans and Labor”. We will email the Team Captain with links to resources we encourage you to read/watch to prepare for trivia topics related to this theme!

There will be prizes for the top 3 winning teams!

Please email any questions to the Woods Hole DAC at: woodsholedac@gmail.com

“Slavery and Abolitionism on Cape Cod”

Author talk with Dr. Michael Pregot

Thursday, February 27, 2025 at 5:30 PM

Highfield Hall and Gardens, 56 Highfield Drive, Falmouth

Dr. Michael Pregot discusses his book, Slavery and Abolitionism on Cape Cod, exploring Cape Cod’s ties to the slave trade, abolitionist efforts, and the lives of notable Black individuals in Massachusetts. This event is supported in part by the Massachusetts Cultural Council.
Info & Registration: highfieldhallandgardens.org

Harambee Community Celebration

with Musical Guest Naomi Westwater & Friends

Friday, February 28, 2025 at 5:00 PM

MBL Swope Center, 11 North Street, Woods Hole

Join us for a celebration of unity, culture, and community. Enjoy food, fellowship, and uplifting music by Naomi Westwater & Friends as we honor the contributions of African Americans as change-makers and celebrate the spirit of “pulling together” for a brighter future. Belonging Books of Hyannis will also be on hand with a pop-up bookstore.

Naomi Westwater (they/she) is a queer, Black-multiracial singer-songwriter from Massachusetts. Their work combines folk music, poetry, and spirituality. They hope that through ritual and storytelling, they can aid nature in the end of capitalism and the return of community, creativity, and collective joy.

More info @naomiwestwater and naomiwestwater.com.