The Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture will host several poetry programs during April to celebrate National Poetry Month, including a virtual symposium about Phillis Wheatley on April 8.
The museum’s April theme, “Black Women: The Spiritualist,” highlights Black women’s sacred and spiritual leadership rooted in faith and tradition across its digital platforms.
Cave Canem, a literary organization supporting Black poets, will partner with the museum for “Each Other’s Harvest: An Afternoon of Poetry, Community, and Address” on April 6 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. in the Oprah Winfrey Theater and online. The program will focus on “Magnitude and Bond: A Field Study on Black Literary Arts Organizations,” hosted by Yahdon Israel.
The event features readings from Lauren K. Alleyne and Taiwo, commentary from Lisa Willis, Cave Canem’s executive director and co-principal investigator, and a keynote address from New York Times best-selling author Jermaine Fowler. Registration is required for this free event.
On April 8 from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m., the museum will present an online symposium titled “The Feast of Genius and the Play of Art: The Legacies and Communities of Phillis Wheatley Peters.” The virtual event will examine the global influence of Wheatley Peters (circa 1753-1784), who was born in West Africa and captured by slave traders as a child. She became the first African American to publish a book of poetry with “Poems on Various Subjects, Religious and Moral” in 1773, which marked its 250th anniversary in 2023. Registration is required for this free event.
The “District Treasures” program on April 10 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. will offer one-on-one sessions with museum professionals in second-floor classrooms. Participants can bring up to three family heirlooms for review, learn about their stories and receive preservation advice for objects including photographs, books, papers, quilts and textiles. Registration is required for this free event.
“A Community Art + Justice Evening: Freedom Making through the Arts” will take place April 12 from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. on the Concourse Level. The $35 program draws inspiration from “In Slavery’s Wake: Making Black Freedom in the World,” an immersive exhibition connecting Black freedom makers across time. The event includes a panel discussion with exhibiting artists, art activities, exhibition guides and light refreshments. Registration is available online.
On April 19 from 7 p.m. to 8:45 p.m., the museum will host “Culinary Cousins: Roots, Heart, & Soul with Chef Todd Richards—A Journey Through the African Diaspora” in the Oprah Winfrey Theater and online. NMAAHC curator Joanne Hyppolite and James Beard award-winning author Todd Richards will discuss African diasporic food traditions and their connections to culture and history. The $40 event includes a curated tasting experience featuring dishes inspired by the African diaspora. Pre-registration is required, with no same-day tickets available.
For more information about the museum, go to nmaahc.si.edu, follow @NMAAHC on X, Facebook and Instagram, or call 202-633-1000.
