This month, Civic Entertainment Group celebrates Black History and Black Futures. Since 1976, every American president has designated February as Black History Month and endorsed a specific theme. The 2021 theme, “Black Family: Representation, Identity and Diversity” explores the African diaspora, and the spread of Black families across the US.

In an effort to continue to foster deeper connections within the Civic community, we will curate and publish an ongoing series of time capsule zines to illuminate the interests, stories, and layers of the people of Civic — starting first with a Black History Month edition. We’ll host two sessions that will prompt engaging conversations and easy at-home creative submissions, one centering on Black+ members and then another inviting our community at large.

Contributions from both sessions will come to life in a zine that will be shared at the end of the month. This collection of words and images will artfully document the fact that, in the midst of a global pandemic and uniquely trying times, we are here and we will keep pushing forward, together.

In the meantime, we invite you to celebrate BHM with a few things to DO, places to DONATE, or edutainment to DOWNLOAD below.

DO

• Smithsonian Digital Volunteers. Help transcribe important documents for the National Museum of African American History and Culture, the only national museum devoted exclusively to the documentation of African American life, history, and culture.

• EatOkra. Download this app to find and support Black-owned restaurants near you.

• Rachel Cargle’s 30 Day #DoTheWork Course (Be A Better Ally). Rachel Cargle is an author, speaker, and activist known for her anti-racism work. This 30-day course consists of daily prompts, challenging participants to think critically and become better allies for Black women.

DONATE

• Black Mamas Matter Alliance. A Black women-led cross-sectoral alliance. They advocate, drive research, build power, and shift culture for Black maternal health, rights, and justice.

• Black Art Futures Fund A collective of emerging philanthropists promoting the elevation and preservation of Black arts & culture. Through grant making, board-matching, and organization-to-donor cultivation, BAFF seeks to amplify and strengthen the future of Black art.

• The Loveland Foundation Founded by Rachel Cargle (mentioned above), the Loveland foundation focuses on supporting therapy, mental health and healing in communities of color.

DOWNLOAD

• Godfather of Harlem Forrest Whitaker EP’s and stars in this epic drama on the real-life reign of Bumpy Johnson, the OG of organized crime in 60’s Harlem. Mixing with the likes of Adam Clayton Powell Jr, Malcolm X and Cassius Clay, it’s an entertaining look at what might have happened behind the scenes of Black Power Movement and dimensionalizes the Civil Rights Movement from the Black perspective.

• Being Seen Podcast A beautifully crafted audio collage and in-depth exploration of culture’s role in resolving the tension between how we are seen and how we see ourselves. Focused on the gay and queer Black male experience, the first season is a space to explore current cultural representations and their impact through conversations with leading artists, writers, activists, entertainers, and community leaders. Guests include Lena Waithe, Luke James, Jerome Lamaar, and more.

• Toni Morrison: The Pieces I Am This artful and intimate meditation on legendary storyteller Toni Morrison examines her life, her work and the powerful themes she has confronted throughout her literary career.