For Black History Month this February, the Mosaic Templars Cultural Center (MTCC) is offering a full lineup of programming, activities for kids and even some delicious sweets along the way.
“Black History Month is a time to celebrate, reflect and educate,” MTCC director Quantia “Key” M. Fletcher says. “At MTCC, we strive to provide opportunities for our community to engage with Black history in meaningful and impactful ways. From our events to our educational resources, we’re committed to preserving and sharing the legacy of African Americans in Arkansas and beyond.”
Starting with dessert, the MTCC is once again partnering with Loblolly Creamery to bring back Maple Leaf Rag Time, an ice cream flavor featuring maple caramel swirls and Arkansas candied pecans that pays homage to famous Black composer and Texarkana native Scott Joplin. Maple Leaf Rag Time is available all month, and every scoop benefits the MTCC.
Equally sweet is Community Bakery’s series of Black History Month sugar cookies featuring historical and cultural icons. Each week has a different theme, and week one highlighted musicians such as Stevie Wonder, Tina Turner and Beyonce. A portion of these proceeds benefit the MTCC as well.
For a daily dose of history, the MTCC is bringing back its quick-hit educational series on social media highlighting an important and sometimes overlooked figures in Arkansas Black history every day of the month. Read the first one here.
The MTCC has many more activities in store throughout the month including:
- Feb. 15 – Paint Like a Storyteller: A Rex Deloney-Inspired Art Workshop for kids with Adaja Cooper
- Feb. 20 – Taste of Black Little Rock featuring local Black-owned restaurants and chefs
- Feb. 27 – Southern Ain’t Fried Sunday: What’s in the Pot?, an exploration of soul food and healthy eating
And if you’re on the hunt for visual and hands-on educational resources, the MTCC Trailblazers Coloring and Activity Book and the Periodic Chart of Arkansas Black History are free to download here.
The MTCC, which offers year-round exhibits and resources dedicated to Arkansas’ Black history and culture, is located at the corner of Broadway and Ninth streets in downtown Little Rock, and is open 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Tuesday – Saturday.
To learn more, visit the MTCC website and follow along on Facebook and Instagram for the latest.