A Reading and Discussion Forum will be held Friday evenings through Feb. 7. Session will examine excerpts from Maya Angelou; Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.; W.E.B. DuBois, and more. There is no need to read ahead of time, just come with an open mind. Sessions will begin at 6 p.m. at the Cannon Street Community Center, 515 Cannon St., and are being offered by FORCE, Focusing Our Resources for Community Enlightenment. For more information, contact Brenda Muhammad at (315) 677-1664 or forcecny@aol.com.

This free lecture series -- SOYL (Story of Your Life) Talks -- is for students, professionals and entrepreneurs. The Feb. 6 talk will feature We Rise Above the Streets, Underscore Ave., Cream the Collective and Clark Wayne Music.

Join the Syracuse National Association for the Advancement of Colored People at the Van Robinson Pan African Village Booth at the New York State Fair Grounds Expo Center. Sunday, will feature a Gospel Explosion Celebration directed  by Dr. Joan Hillsman. Entrance to the NYS Winter Fair is $3 for teens and seniors or $5 for adults. Vocalists, liturgical dancers, musicians and others interested in volunteering or performing can contact Hillsman at (315) 373-0805 or by email at jhillsman@twcny.rr.com.  To volunteer at the Pan African Village Booth during the Winter Fair, email SyracuseNaacp@gmail.com or call (315) 440-6340.

A Reading and Discussion Forum will be held Friday evenings through Feb. 7. Session will examine excerpts from Maya Angelou; Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.; W.E.B. DuBois, and more. There is no need to read ahead of time, just come with an open mind. Sessions will begin at 6 p.m. at the Cannon Street Community Center, 515 Cannon St., and are being offered by FORCE, Focusing Our Resources for Community Enlightenment. For more information, contact Brenda Muhammad at (315) 677-1664 or forcecny@aol.com.

This is a food-sampling event where you can purchase samples of dozens of home-made goodies with one thing in common: Chocolate. Choose from white, dark or milk chocolate in cookies, muffins, candies, breads and more. Samples are only $.50, or 22 samples for $10. Half of the proceeds will be donated to Lafayette Outreach (the local food pantry). For more information, call (315) 677-3293, email cpresbyt@twcny.rr.com or visit www.ColumbianPresbyterianChurch.com.

Join the Syracuse National Association for the Advancement of Colored People at the Van Robinson Pan African Village Booth at the New York State Fair Grounds Expo Center. Sunday, will feature a Gospel Explosion Celebration directed by Dr. Joan Hillsman. Entrance to the NYS Winter Fair is $3 for teens and seniors or $5 for adults. Vocalists, liturgical dancers, musicians and others interested in volunteering or performing can contact Hillsman at (315) 373-0805 or by email at jhillsman@twcny.rr.com.  To volunteer at the Pan African Village Booth during the Winter Fair, email SyracuseNaacp@gmail.com or call (315) 440-6340.

Join the Syracuse National Association for the Advancement of Colored People at the Van Robinson Pan African Village Booth at the New York State Fair Grounds Expo Center. Sunday, will feature a Gospel Explosion Celebration directed by Dr. Joan Hillsman. Entrance to the NYS Winter Fair is $3 for teens and seniors or $5 for adults. Vocalists, liturgical dancers, musicians and others interested in volunteering or performing can contact Hillsman at (315) 373-0805 or by email at jhillsman@twcny.rr.com.  To volunteer at the Pan African Village Booth during the Winter Fair, email SyracuseNaacp@gmail.com or call (315) 440-6340.

County Executive J. Ryan McMahon, II will present the 2020 State of the County Address at 5:30 p.m. Monday, Feb. 10, at Storer Auditorium on the Onondaga County College campus, 4585 W. Seneca Turnpike.

Celebrate Black History Month with  special guest readers during an African American Read-In. Event for children up to 12 years old, who must attend with an adult 18 years old or older. Will feature crafts, snacks and free book give away. RSVP by Feb. 13 to Connie Gregory at (315) 559-4795 or litforlifefamilies@gmail.com.

The NYCLU, Greater Syracuse HOPE and Urban Jobs Task Force will host a dinner event at the Dunbar Center Thursday, Feb. 20, as an homage to the 15th Ward in honor of Black History Month.  It will include a discussion with a number of community leaders with different perspectives. To learn more, contact David at DRufus@nyclu.org or (315) 471-2821.

A Black History Month Cultural Expo will be held from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 22, at Bethany Baptist Church, 149 Beattie St. The expo will include vendors, storytelling, literature, historical artifacts, living museum, salute to seasoned saints, activities for children, refreshments and more. For more information, contact Patrona Jones-Rowser at (315) 876-1887 or Cynthia Knighton at (315) 427-5160.

This year’s Black History presentation is multi-generational.Gerald Veasley, a world-renowned bassist will be joined by Jazmin Ghent, a saxophonist/vocalist/educator from Florida. The performance is sponsored by Brackens Financial Solutions Network and will include a free buffet provided by Bill and Nancy Byrne. Cost is $35 in advance, $40 at the door and $10 for students. To purchase tickets in advance, visit cnyjazz.org or call (315) 479-5299.

The world-famous Harlem Globetrotters, featuring larger than life entertainers, will bring a new show, “Pushing the Limits” to Syracuse Feb. 23. The line-up will include Big Easy Lofton, Ant Atkinson, Hi-Lite Bruton and female stars TNT Lister, Swish Sutton and Torch George. Shows are a blend of hilarious hijinks and incredible basketball skills including ball handling, high flying dunks and a new record-breaking attempt. Tickets are available to purchase online at Ticketmaster.com or in person at the Solvay Bank Box Office at The Oncenter, 760 S. State St. Tickets range from $20 - $105; additional fees may apply.

Curatorial Concerns in Jazz Panel Discussion will be held from noon to 1 p.m.   Monday, Feb. 24, in the Peter Graham Scholarly Commons, Room 114, Bird Library on the Syracuse University campus, 222 Waverly Ave. Gerald Veasley, renowned bassist, founder of the “Bass Boot Camp,” host of the Berks Jazz Fest and curator of the jazz series “Unscripted,” with Jazmin Ghent, a Veasley protégé and 2019 NAACP award winner, will reflect on their paths to success in the music industry. Session is free and open to the public.

Curatorial Concerns in Jazz Community Master Class will be offered by musicians Gerald Veasley, musical polymath, and Jazmin Ghent, a fast-rising female saxophonist/vocalist/educator, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Monday, Feb. 24, at the Community Folk Art Center, 805 E. Genesee St. Veasley played in West Philly RnB bands in his teens and entered the international marketplace as bassist for the legendary Joe Zawinul, playing in The Zawinul Syndicate from 1988 to 1995. A successful recording and touring career followed. Ghent was voted “2017’s Best New Smooth Jazz Artist” and awarded the prestigious “2019 NAACP IMAGE AWARD” for Outstanding Jazz Album. She has three Billboard #1 singles to her credit: “Work Wit It,” “Heat” and “Compared to What.” The class is free open to the public, but those interested must RSVP to Spencer Stultz at (315) 442-2230 or slstultz@syr.edu by Friday, Feb. 21.

All are invited to view a free screening of "Beautifully Broken."