Free Black History Block Party at Two Mississippi Museums

George Chuck Patterson

2 months ago

Black History Month in Jackson is about to move from reflection to activation.

On Saturday, February 21, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., Jackson Public Schools scholars and their families will gather at Two Mississippi Museums for Legacy on the Block: Jackson’s Day of Cultural Legacy Block Party—a free, family-centered event designed to celebrate, protect, and teach Black history across generations.

This isn’t just a block party. It’s part of a coordinated national effort to uplift museums as living classrooms and organizing spaces—places where history is not static but instructive.

Why This Event Matters

Legacy on the Block arrives at a time when conversations about how history is taught—and who gets to teach it—are shaping classrooms across the country. This event responds directly by centering culture, access, and community engagement inside one of Mississippi’s most important educational spaces.

The day will include:

Screenings of PBS Kids’ Xavier Riddle and the Secret Museum Black Figures episodes
Trackless train rides and inflatables
Hands-on activities and creative stations
Food trucks, with meal vouchers provided for Jackson Public Schools scholars
Free admission to both museums

Admission is free for all attendees. Children under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

Civic Engagement Meets Cultural Celebration

Legacy on the Block is sponsored by Jackson Public Schools, Fahrenheit Creative Group, LLC, and Color Of Change, the nation’s largest online racial justice organization.

In addition to the entertainment and educational programming, this event will also feature on-site community activation:

Mississippi MOVE will provide voter registration information and civic education resources for families and eligible attendees.
Students will have the opportunity to design and create their own T-shirts in collaboration with I Got It MADE Clothing, turning cultural expression into something wearable and personal.
DJ services will be provided by George “Chuck” Patterson, adding a soundtrack that keeps the atmosphere energetic and welcoming throughout the day.

This integration of civic engagement, creative expression, and celebration reflects a deeper truth: culture and democracy are connected. When families gather to learn about history, express themselves creatively, and access civic information in one shared space, the experience becomes more than entertainment—it becomes empowerment.

Museums as Living Classrooms

Color of Change designed the Day of Cultural Legacy initiative to do more than host events. Its mission includes:

Direct investment in Black cultural institutions
Activating museums as organizing and learning spaces
Strengthening partnerships between schools, cultural institutions, and community organizations
Reinforcing culture as a cornerstone of democracy

For Jackson Public Schools—Mississippi’s second-largest district serving nearly 20,000 scholars—this represents experiential education in action.

For families, it provides a space where joy and knowledge coexist.

For the city of Jackson, it signals that Black history is not confined to textbooks. It is alive, interactive, and community-driven.

Mark the Calendar

Legacy on the Block: Jackson’s Day of Cultural Legacy Block Party
Saturday, February 21
10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Two Mississippi Museums
222 North Street, Jackson, MS

Registration: https://www.mobilize.us/colorofchange/event/896204

Livestream: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UL8W1xdsbnA

February 21 is shaping up to be more than a celebration. It’s an opportunity for Jackson to gather, learn, create, and engage—together.

About the Author
George “Chuck” Patterson is a cultural strategist, storyteller, and community builder based on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. As Chief Production Officer of Black With No Chaser, he documents moments where creativity, entrepreneurship, and community intersect. Known for recognizing talent early and supporting spaces that do good work, Patterson writes about the people and places shaping culture across Mississippi and beyond.