Dear GCF Community,
This February, we honor the legacy, leadership, creativity, and culture of Black people—from landmark achievements that shape our shared future to lesser told stories of community power like many of those of GCF’s young adults.
Like recent GCF Eco-Hub Fellow graduate Malcolm shared in his graduation speech, “While I may be the one holding the microphone, this story belongs to all of us. Our graduation theme is Rebirth, and that word perfectly captures what this fellowship has meant to me. From the very beginning of this term, I felt a sense of renewal – a chance to grow, to reset, and to become someone stronger than who I was before…I had the honor of watching my peers go through their own transformations, and witnessing that collective growth has been one of the most powerful parts of this journey. I hope we remember that rebirth doesn’t mean starting over; it means moving forward with greater clarity, confidence, and purpose.”
The growth, strength, and purpose Malcolm and his fellow GCF graduates harness reminds us of the enduring legacy of Black leadership that continues to positively shape our communities today and the ongoing work of building a more just future together.
Throughout the month we’re celebrating Black inspirations and achievements like Malcolm’s within our GCF community and beyond. If you’re looking for ways to celebrate throughout NYC, a rich lineup of free public events offers numerous opportunities to learn, celebrate, and connect with Black culture and history.
Cultural & Community NYC Highlights (Free & Open to All):
- NYPL Black History Month Programs (throughout February) – Storytime, hands-on activities, STEAM sessions, and more at branches citywide.
- King Manor Museum: Hands On History (2/7) – Reading circles and creative art inspired by Black historical figures.
- Urban Park Rangers Walk Seneca Village (2/14) – Explore Seneca Village residents’ roles in the abolitionist movement and learn about local history.
- Black History Month: Oystermen of Staten Island (2/15) – Join the Urban Park Rangers as they talk about the oystermen that helped make Sandy Ground one of the first and oldest freed black settlements in NYC.
- Live Performance: Voices of a People’s History (2/19) – A free, narrative performance inspired by Black heritage at Lincoln Center.
- Red Hook Interim Library Folktales & Dance Workshop (2/20) – African folktales and movement for young ones.
- Crotona Park Nature Poetry Hike (2/21) – Celebrate Black artistic and intellectual history on a poetry and nature hike through Crotona Park.
- Queens Borough President Richards Black History Month Celebration (2/25) – honor Queens’ rich African American heritage, uplift scholars and celebrate Black community leadership.
These are just a few of the many ways to commemorate Black History Month this year. Let’s continue to honor the past, uplift the present, and build a future grounded in justice and shared humanity. Thank you for being a part of our shared community and ongoing history-making.
In service and solidarity,
GCF