Brooklyn Children's Museum hosts a week of reflection and future-forward fun inspired by the national celebration of the African diaspora and Black History Month. Guest curators, Kendra J. Bostock and STooPS, present workshops, dance performances, storytelling, and more. 

Sunday, February 18

Portals: Doors to the Black Past and Future
This multidisciplinary dance performance looks at everyday items that serve as portals to the Black past, present and Afro-future. KJB Works transports kids across time and space using her Sankofa process, inspired by the Ghanaian Akan term for “looking back to move forward.” Performed by Kendra J. Bostock, Brittany Grier, J’Nae Simmons, and Kimani Fowlin.
11am – 11:45am & 2:30pm – 3:15pm

Build Your World with Fabric
Make cultural masks using materials like cowrie shells, yarn, pipe cleaners, tape, raffia, and construction paper. Led by Ramona Kearns.
12:15pm – 1pm

Lyrical Liberation: Music/Poetry
Take a music and poetry journey  with PitsiRa Ragophala.
4pm – 4:45pm

Afrofuturistic Comic Covers
Head to the ColorLab to design your own Afrofuturistic comic book cover, inspired by the work of author and illustrator, John Jennings.
10:30am – 12:30pm & 2:30pm – 4:30pm

Monday, February 19

Portals: Doors to the Black Past and Future
This multidisciplinary dance performance looks at everyday items that serve as portals to the Black past, present and Afro-future. KJB Works transports kids across time and space using her Sankofa process, inspired by the Ghanaian Akan term for “looking back to move forward.” Performed by Kendra J. Bostock, Brittany Grier, J’Nae Simmons, and Kimani Fowlin.
11am – 11:45am & 2:30pm – 3:15pm

Moving Stories: Dance
A movement experience that includes various dance forms from the African Diaspora (traditional African forms, modern, jazz, Afrobeat). Led by Carmen Carriker.
12:15pm – 1pm

Remembering and Transforming: Storytelling
Listen to stories of Bed-Stuy and remember ancestors who created a path with their legacy. Bring your own stories to life and create movement for the journey ahead. Move to the music and create a collective poem. Led by Wema Ragophala.
4pm – 4:45pm

Afrofuturistic Comic Covers
Head to the ColorLab to design your own Afrofuturistic comic book cover, inspired by the work of author and illustrator, John Jennings.
10:30am-12:30pm & 2:30pm-4:30pm

Tuesday, February 20

NYICFF In Your Neighborhood
New York International Children’s Film Festival (NYICFF) presents an exclusive collection of family-friendly, award-winning short films.
10:30am – 11:20am & 3pm – 3:50pm

Build Your World with Fabric
Make cultural masks using materials like cowrie shells, yarn, pipe cleaners, tape, raffia, and construction paper. Led by Ramona Kearns.
11am – 11:45am

Adinkra Portals: Visual Art
Adinkra symbols were created by the Akan people of Ghana. The symbols represent qualities of character and life principles. This workshop is inspired by Lorraine O’Grady’s 1983 “Art Is…” performance, in which paraders framed bystanders in gold frames, transforming them into a piece of art to behold. Participants can make a frame from repurposed materials, decorate them with adinkra symbols, and then take a picture with it, framing themselves as a work of art adorned by a collection of powerful symbols. Led by Pia Monique Murray.
12:15pm – 1pm

Connecting to Ancestral Intelligence: Plant Allies For Children
This workshop is an opportunity for children to explore plants as allies through sensed understanding. Participants have the opportunity to learn about plants that surround them every day and create a winter plant snow globe of their favorite plant ally. Led by Renee K. Smith.
2:30pm – 3:15pm

Keep On Moving: Dance
Join KOM3 from the Breaks Kru in his invigorating “Keep On Moving” dance workshop. Geared towards kids, this dynamic experience redefines dance education by infusing Breaking with engaging games and exercise routines. Discover a workshop that not only teaches the art of Breaking but also cultivates a love for movement and a healthy, active lifestyle in a safe and inclusive environment. Led by KOM3.
4pm – 4:45pm

Afrofuturistic Comic Covers
Head to the ColorLab to design your own Afrofuturistic comic book cover, inspired by the work of author and illustrator, John Jennings.
10:30am – 12:30pm & 2:30pm – 4:30pm

Wednesday, February 21

NYICFF In Your Neighborhood
New York International Children’s Film Festival (NYICFF) presents an exclusive collection of family-friendly, award-winning short films.
10:30am – 11:20am & 3pm – 3:50pm

Moving Stories: Dance
A movement experience that includes various dance forms from the African Diaspora (traditional African forms, modern, jazz, Afrobeat). Led by Carmen Carriker.
11am – 11:45am

Lyrical Liberation: Music/Poetry
Take a music and poetry journey  with PitsiRa Ragophala.
12:15pm – 1pm

Remembering and Transforming: Storytelling
Listen to stories of Bed-Stuy and remember ancestors who created a path with their legacy. Bring your own stories to life and create movement for the journey ahead. Move to the music and create a collective poem. Led by Wema Ragophala.
2:30pm – 3:15pm

Adinkra Portals: Visual Art
Adinkra symbols were created by the Akan people of Ghana. The symbols represent qualities of character and life principles. This workshop is inspired by Lorraine O’Grady’s 1983 “Art Is…” performance, in which paraders framed bystanders in gold frames, transforming them into a piece of art to behold. Participants can make a frame from repurposed materials, decorate them with adinkra symbols, and then take a picture with it, framing themselves as a work of art adorned by a collection of powerful symbols. Led by Pia Monique Murray.
4pm – 4:45pm

Afrofuturistic Comic Covers
Head to the ColorLab to design your own Afrofuturistic comic book cover, inspired by the work of author and illustrator, John Jennings.
10:30am – 12:30pm & 2:30pm – 4:30pm

Thursday, February 22

NYICFF In Your Neighborhood
New York International Children’s Film Festival (NYICFF) presents an exclusive collection of family-friendly, award-winning short films.
10:30am – 11:20am & 3pm – 3:50pm

Build Your World with Fabric
Make cultural masks using materials like cowrie shells, yarn, pipe cleaners, tape, raffia, and construction paper. Led by Ramona Kearns.
11am – 11:45am

Remembering and Transforming: Storytelling
Listen to stories of Bed-Stuy and remember ancestors who created a path with their legacy. Bring your own stories to life and create movement for the journey ahead. Move to the music and create a collective poem. Led by Wema Ragophala.
12:15pm – 1pm

Keep On Moving: Dance
Join KOM3 from the Breaks Kru in his invigorating “Keep On Moving” dance workshop. Geared towards kids, this dynamic experience redefines dance education by infusing Breaking with engaging games and exercise routines. Discover a workshop that not only teaches the art of Breaking but also cultivates a love for movement and a healthy, active lifestyle in a safe and inclusive environment. Led by KOM3.
2:30pm – 3:15pm

Adinkra Portals: Visual Art
Adinkra symbols were created by the Akan people of Ghana. The symbols represent qualities of character and life principles. This workshop is inspired by Lorraine O’Grady’s 1983 “Art Is…” performance, in which paraders framed bystanders in gold frames, transforming them into a piece of art to behold. Participants can make a frame from repurposed materials, decorate them with adinkra symbols, and then take a picture with it, framing themselves as a work of art adorned by a collection of powerful symbols. Led by Pia Monique Murray.
4pm – 4:45pm

Afrofuturistic Comic Covers
Head to the ColorLab to design your own Afrofuturistic comic book cover, inspired by the work of author and illustrator, John Jennings.
10:30am – 12:30pm & 2:30pm – 4:30pm

Friday, February 23

NYICFF In Your Neighborhood
New York International Children’s Film Festival (NYICFF) presents an exclusive collection of family-friendly, award-winning short films.
10:30am – 11:20am & 3pm – 3:50pm

Connecting to Ancestral Intelligence: Plant Allies For Children
This workshop is an opportunity for children to explore plants as allies through sensed understanding. Participants have the opportunity to learn about plants that surround them every day and create a winter plant snow globe of their favorite plant ally. Led by Renee K. Smith.
11am – 11:45am

Moving Stories: Dance
A movement experience that includes various dance forms from the African Diaspora (traditional African forms, modern, jazz, Afrobeat). Led by Carmen Carriker.
12:15pm – 1pm

Build Your World with Fabric
Make cultural masks using materials like cowrie shells, yarn, pipe cleaners, tape, raffia, and construction paper. Led by Ramona Kearns.
2:30pm – 3:15pm

Keep On Moving: Dance
Join KOM3 from the Breaks Kru in his invigorating “Keep On Moving” dance workshop. Geared towards kids, this dynamic experience redefines dance education by infusing Breaking with engaging games and exercise routines. Discover a workshop that not only teaches the art of Breaking but also cultivates a love for movement and a healthy, active lifestyle in a safe and inclusive environment. Led by KOM3.
4pm – 4:45pm

Afrofuturistic Comic Covers
Head to the ColorLab to design your own Afrofuturistic comic book cover, inspired by the work of author and illustrator, John Jennings.
10:30am – 12:30pm & 2:30pm – 4:30pm

Saturday, February 24

Portals: Doors to the Black Past and Future
This multidisciplinary dance performance looks at everyday items that serve as portals to the Black past, present and Afro-future. KJB Works transports kids across time and space using her Sankofa process, inspired by the Ghanaian Akan term for “looking back to move forward.” Performed by Kendra J. Bostock, Brittany Grier, J’Nae Simmons, and Kimani Fowlin.
11am – 11:45am & 2:30pm – 3:15pm

Be Who You Want to Be: Visual Art
Each young artist is provided with colorful pre-cut shapes to imagine and create their own character. Led by Ovila Lemon.
12:15pm – 1pm

Lyrical Liberation: Music/Poetry
Take a music and poetry journey  with PitsiRa Ragophala.
4pm – 4:45pm

Afrofuturistic Comic Covers
Head to the ColorLab to design your own Afrofuturistic comic book cover, inspired by the work of author and illustrator, John Jennings.
10:30am – 12:30pm & 2:30pm – 4:30pm

Sunday, February 25

Portals: Doors to the Black Past and Future
This multidisciplinary dance performance looks at everyday items that serve as portals to the Black past, present and Afro-future. KJB Works transports kids across time and space using her Sankofa process, inspired by the Ghanaian Akan term for “looking back to move forward.” Performed by Kendra J. Bostock, Brittany Grier, J’Nae Simmons, and Kimani Fowlin.
11am – 11:45am & 2:30pm – 3:15pm

Be Who You Want to Be: Visual Art
Each young artist is provided with colorful pre-cut shapes to imagine and create their own character. Led by Ovila Lemon.
12:15pm – 1pm

Remembering and Transforming: Storytelling
Listen to stories of Bed-Stuy and remember ancestors who created a path with their legacy. Bring your own stories to life and create movement for the journey ahead. Move to the music and create a collective poem. Led by Wema Ragophala.
4pm – 4:45pm

Afrofuturistic Comic Covers
Head to the ColorLab to design your own Afrofuturistic comic book cover, inspired by the work of author and illustrator, John Jennings.
10:30pm – 12:30pm & 2:30pm – 4:30 m