All News & Events
Connect with our team and participate in BHAC-led events near you!
Proud to participate in Mass Cultural Council's Card to Culture program
News & Events
John Kordalewski, Craig Harris, and Wes Brown Jazz Concert
Events
Sunday, May 11, 2025
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Trombonist Craig Harris, bassist Wes Brown, and pianist John Kordalewski join together for a special trio performance. Expect the music to be both "inside" and "outside." All three veteran improvisors studied with the great Makanda Ken McIntyre, and have performed frequently in Boston as part of the Makanda Project, which Mr. Kordalewski leads.
Mass Cultural Council's Card to Culture Program
News
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BHAC is proud to participate in Mass Cultural Council's Card to Culture program in collaboration with the Dept of Transitional Assistance, the Dept of Public Health's WIC Nutrition Program, the Mass Health Connector, and hundreds of organizations by making cultural programming accessible to those for whom cost is a participation barrier. Along with all of our participants, EBT, WIC, and ConnectorCare cardholders receive free admission. See the complete list of participating cultural organizations offering EBT, WIC, and ConnectorCare discounts.
Hush Harbor: Ifé Franklin and DZIDZOR
Events
Sunday, April 27, 2025
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Join us as Ifé Franklin and DZIDZOR activate our space for a participatory audience of Black, Indigenous, and people of color to rejoice.
Heart of the Culture Event Series
News
TBA
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Black History in Action (BHAC) is excited to announce our Heart of the Culture event series! We’re ramping up our offerings in our third programming season with a series of dynamic arts and culture events for the entire community to present and celebrate Black history and experience. Join us at the historic African-Caribbean St. Augustine’s church to gather, celebrate, organize, and reflect from this month through June. Through this reactivation work, we hope to continue creating an inclusive Black space for arts, documentation, organizing, and joy in collaboration with the community. All of the events will take place at St. Augustine’s at 4 pm, excluding the March 23rd "Grace of the Black Church" Panel Discussion at 3 pm. Mark your calendars for this special collection of talks, music and dance performances, healing gatherings, and more!
The Prayers of Black Folks: Steph Davis and Jenny Oliver Music/Dance
Events
Sunday, March 30, 2025
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A sensational marimba and dance performance free and open to all! "'The Prayers of Black Folk' is my artistic response to the belief that all the prayers of our ancestors will be answered in time. The title also sits in the powerful lineage of W.E.B. Du Bois’ classic work, “The Souls of Black Folk.” Our ancestor’s Prayers were prayed in various African languages, uttered on cramped slave ships, uttered on this land, too. Prayers for freedom, life, truth, justice, community, family, home, health, strength, humanity, songs, and many other things. Their prayers protect and encourage me to live out my purpose in music. 'The Prayers of Black Folk' embodies the deeply spiritual underpinnings of Black queer identities." -Steph Davis
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“In our Midst: The Grace of the Black Church”: A Panel Discussion
Events
Sunday, March 23, 2025
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A community conversation free and open to all. Join us for this fascinating and inclusive conversation!
New Light Celebration
December 1st
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St. Augustine’s African Orthodox Church has been transformed! Celebrate the completion of exterior restoration, a major step in its rebirth as an inclusive center for Black arts, culture, healing, and history. We’ll raise a joyful noise, share our vision for the future, and come together in the spirit of community.
An Evening with Jamaican Literary Laureate Erna Brodber
11/13/2024
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Join us for this special event: an evening of reading and discussion with Erna Brodber, literary laureate of Jamaica.
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Further Reflections in the Sonic Laboratory
11/17/2024
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Join us in a new sound bath at Further Reflections in the Sonic Laboratory!
An Evening of Movement, Music and Poetry
11/10/2024
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Join us for a fun night of dancing, live music, and spoken word poetry at An Evening of Movement, Music and Poetry!
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St. Augustine’s Party
Events
Sunday, September 29
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Join us this Fall to celebrate the remarkable progress on St. Augustine’s restoration. St. A’s would have been lost to gentrification if it were not for our community’s efforts. We’re gathering at the church – the star of the show – on September 29th to honor our community for pulling together to safeguard this historic, living landmark. Food, music, games, a special exhibition, and a presentation on the future of the restoration effort, will all be on offer. It’s time to come have some fun at St. A’s!
Neighbourhood Discussion: What Do You Want to See Happen at St. Augustine’s?
Events
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Black History in Action for Cambridgeport (BHAC), in partnership with the Cambridge Neighborhood Association (CNA), is excited to invite you to participate in a Neighbourhood Discussion: What Do You Want to See Happen at St. Augustine’s? Our goal is to create a space that is inclusive, community-owned, and community-led, and we want to hear from YOU!
Reflections: A Sonic Laboratory
Events
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"Reflections: A Sonic Laboratory" is a transformative sound bath intended for listeners to relax, reflect, and appreciate the historical contributions of past communities.
Marcus Mosiah Garvey: The Jamaican Black Moses
Events
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Delve into the legacy of Marcus Mosiah Garvey with a captivating lecture by Kenneth Reeves, Mayor Emeritus of Cambridge, Massachusetts. Learn about Garvey's influence as a visionary leader and his enduring impact on movement-building, Black organizing, and social justice.
Special Community Film Screening: The House on Jonathan Street
Events
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Join us for a screening of "The House on Jonathan Street," a compelling documentary uncovering the rich history of a modest dwelling in Hagerstown, Maryland. Explore the complex dynamics of race, economy, and community in Middle America, and discover how one house's story reflects broader societal changes.
Black Cambridgeport to the Future Exhibition: Opening Event
Events
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Explore the vibrant living history of Cambridgeport’s Black community at our new participatory exhibition. Dive into texts, photos, keepsakes, oral histories, and more, and share your own memories to enrich our community archive. Plus, indulge in delicious catering from Coast Cafe!
Black Cambridgeport Sunday Matinee: Storytelling, Poetry, & Music
Events
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Join us for an enriching Black History Month matinee at the iconic St. Augustine's African Orthodox Church! Experience the power of storytelling, poetry, and music celebrating the vibrant heritage of Black Cambridgeport. Click on Event Info to SIGN UP FOR THE EVENT!!
St. Augustine's: Making Home for Black Cambridgeport
Events
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Discover the rich history and vibrant community of St. Augustine's at 137 Allston Street in Cambridgeport from the comfort of your own home. For over a century, St. Augustine's has been a cherished home for the diverse Black Cambridgeport community. Now, as major restoration work nears completion, join Rev. Kit Eccles and Kris Manjapra of BHAC for an enlightening online presentation on the place-based history of St. Augustine's.
Connecting Community: Wintertime Construction Celebration
Events
November 29 2023
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We're bringing together the entire community for warm cider and refreshments to celebrate the progress on construction taking place at St. Augustine's African Orthodox Church. Weather permitting, our architect Gabe Cira will be giving a tour of the exterior renovations.
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Gather in the Clearing: Jamming in Solidarity
Events
SUNDAY, MAY 14 (6:00PM-8:00PM)
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We invite you to join us for a jam session at St. Augustine's Church for an evening of healing music and creative expression, in memory of our community member, Sayed Arif Faisal. This event features the Black Cotton Club, who invite the community to heal as a collective through music, by welcoming the audience to be unfiltered and unapologetically themselves with their voices and bodies. Co-sponsored by BHAC, Cambridge HEART, Black Cotton Club, Muslim Justice League (MJL), Asian American Resource Workshop (AARW), and the Bangladesh Association of New England (BANE).
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Fundamentals of West African Dance Embodying the Rhythms and Realigning
Events
SATURDAY, MAY 20 (11:00 AM-12:30 PM)
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Featuring Fatou-Carol Sylla, join Magazine Beach Partners, Under the Sun Dance & Drum, and Black History in Action for Cambridgeport for an immersive lesson about West African dance and performance. West Africa offers a rich cultural heritage in the arts that has long been a traditional indigenous source of self-integration, community cohesion and spiritual communion. Come learn traditional dances, rhythms and songs from the Mande ancient humanizing and healing traditions of West Africa. The event will be held at David Nunes Park (129 Allston St., Cambridge, 02139), opposite St. Augustine's Church. Will be moved indoors to St. Augustine's if there is rain.
Into the Roots Workshop
Events
Sunday, June 4, 2023 (12:00pm-5:00pm)
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RootsUprising dance company is one of the In Art for Social Justice grant recipients for 2023. The Into the Roots Workshop brings the community of Cambridge together to explore and celebrate BIPOC Cantabridgians. The workshop aims to use art as a vehicle to highlight the work of Cantabrigian’s BIPOC members through interactive public activities, community circle engagement exercises including movement, theater and spoken word. Special guests will include Tonia Hicks, Tony Clark, Dean Melissa Bartholomew (Harvard), and Reverend Irene Monroe.
Cambridgeport: Who, What, Where, and When With Paula Paris - The Inaugural Marcus and Amy Garvey Lecture 2023
Events
Wednesday, May 17, 2023 (6:00pm-8:00pm)
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This inaugural event recognizes St. Augustine's role in the historic Pan-Africanist UNIA movement, founded by Marcus Mosiah Garvey and Amy Ashwood Garvey in 1914. Paula Paris, eminent public historian with decades of service to communities across Cambridge, will deliver the first lecture in this new yearly tradition. This event is free and open to the public.
The 14th Annual Cambridge MLK Day of Service and Learning
Events
Monday, January 16
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On Monday, January 16th, 2023, Many Helping Hands 365 (MHH365), will join with community partners to honor Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. with the 14th Annual Cambridge MLK Day of Service.
Website Launch
Events
Thursday, January 12, 2023
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We're excited to announce the launch of our new website!
