Black History Month 2025: Nuanced Blackness

The Gantt's 2025 Black History Month theme, "Nuanced Blackness," celebrates the rich diversity of Black expression and identity throughout history. Through this theme, we highlight the complexity of Black people and culture, particularly how its evolution has manifested in various forms.

The month will feature a dynamic lineup of events, including thought-provoking conversations, engaging lectures, live performances, and community art projects. Workshops will provide opportunities for creative expression, encouraging participants to explore Blackness across multiple genres and mediums.

Nuanced Blackness invites the community to reflect on the multifaceted nature of Black identity and its profound impact. Through these activities, the Gantt aims to deepen appreciation for the colorful tapestry of Black experiences and contributions.

From family and education-focused programming to events that center collective creative connection, our audience represents the layers of community. We will celebrate innovation in American history, presenting the constant unfolding of Black culture as a symbol of the human experience.

Program Lineup

Call For Entries – Frames of Identity: Celebrating Nuanced Blackness
Saturday, February 1 - Thursday, February 20

Celebrate Black History Month at MODA with Frames of Identity: Celebrating Nuanced Blackness, a month-long call for entries/submissions inviting artists, photographers, and creatives to capture and share images that explore the complexities, beauty, and depth of Black identity. From moments of joy and triumph to reflections of vulnerability and introspection, this showcase will celebrate the richness and diversity of the Black experience.

Selected submissions will be featured in a specially curated showcase and panel discussion event on Wednesday, February 26.

Works + Pages Research Library Walk-up Experience
Series, starting February 3

The Lounge @ MODA Lounge will feature Works + Pages: a research and reference library for visitors to explore historic and contemporary Black artists and Black art movements. This installation will feature art books, manuscripts & art catalogs from the personal library of Curator + Bibliophile, Sam Hoggs. Accompanying programming will take place in the MODA Studio throughout the month. Visit the Lounge @ MODA throughout the month for the experience.

Afro Legacy Fest with La Casa de la Cultura
Saturday, February 8, 12 noon - 5:30 pm

Afro Legacy Fest blends artistic, folkloric, and theatrical performances with direct audience interaction. Engage the community in a distinctive experience that honors Afro-Latinx heritage within the African diaspora.

Classic Black Cinema Series: Boycott
Sunday, February 9, 2 pm

Visit the Gantt for a special screening of the film Boycott, starring the Emmy, Golden Globe, and Tony Award-winning actor Jeffrey Wright as Rev Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Boycott is a behind-the-scenes look at the famous Montgomery Bus Boycott of 1955.

Art of Wine: Tasting with the Groomes
Friday, February 14, 6 pm - 9 pm

During the first iteration of Art of Wine, Heide and Oscar will showcase six exquisite wines from their personal collection – such as a 2017 Col Solare Cabernet Sauvignon – offering guests a unique opportunity to indulge in some of the finest wines from around the globe. Each wine will be thoughtfully paired with gourmet savories, designed to enhance the distinct notes and flavors of the wine. Pairings include garlic garganelli pasta, charred broccolini, braised beef short rib, and more.

Open Air Artist Talk with YoYo Lander
Tuesday, February 18, 7 pm - 8 pm

Open Air is a virtual monthly series of intimate conversations with Black artists across the globe, live on the Gantt’s YouTube page. Tune in and learn about the work of featured artist YoYo Lander and her new solo exhibition at the Gantt. hosted by Dexter Wimberly.

Becoming: A Screening + Community Discussion
Wednesday, February 19, 5:30 pm - 7:45 pm

Join YWCA Central Carolinas and the Gantt Center for a screening and engaging community discussion of Becoming, the critically acclaimed biographical documentary inspired by Michelle Obama's best-selling memoir of the same name. This powerful documentary provides an intimate look at the life of the United States' first Black First Lady, going beyond the public persona to explore Michelle Obama's personal evolution, resilience, and the universal experience of growth and transformation, reminding us all that we are continually in a state of "becoming."

Frames of Identity Showcase: Celebrating Nuanced Blackness
Wednesday, February 26, 6 pm - 8 pm

Selected photos from the Frames of Identity: Celebrating Nuanced Blackness call for entries will be on display, highlighting the unique perspectives and artistic talents of the participants. This showcase will celebrate the diversity and depth of Black identity through powerful visual storytelling. During the evening a curated panel leads a discussion on how Blackness is expressed, experienced, and celebrated through art. Panelists reflect on the submitted works and delve into their own creative processes, exploring the role of art in shaping and communicating the complexities of Black identity.

Brooklyn to Browne's Ferry in partnership with UNC Charlotte
Wednesday, February 26, 6 pm - 9 pm

The community-based film and performance project Brooklyn to Browne's Ferry is a documentary on the story of Grace A.M.E. Zion Church, its migration, and its effort to redefine itself in a new place and time. In partnership with UNC Charlotte, this program is a multi-art blend of sights, sounds, and movement meant to preserve an element of Charlotte's Black history through video, live music, and dance. The Brooklyn to Browne's Ferry documentary will be screened and interspersed with performances and panel discussions featuring local hip-hop artist YUNG Citizen, dancer & choreographer Ashley L. Tate, and filmmaker Marlon Morrison, as well as community and church members who can expound on this story’s implications.