Living Black Worlds
Celebrate Black History Month in downtown Phoenix
Black River Life and Phoenix Center for the Arts invite you to experience the richness and diversity of Black creative expression at Living Black Worlds. Come celebrate, learn and enjoy with us through a month-long exhibition and a special series of workshops and conversations.
Visual Art Exhibition
🗓 Feb. 6–28, 2026
Explore the BLK RVR Artist Collective exhibition on view throughout the month. Opening reception on Feb. 6 at 6:00 PM.
Workshops and Receptions
🗓 Feb. 27–28, 2026
Join us for hands-on workshops, film, author talks and evening receptions that bring the exhibition to life.
Detailed Schedule
DAY 1
Friday, Feb. 27 @ 12 pm
Adinkra Quilting with Kena Tangi Dorsey
Room 202
—> Click here to register
Friday, Feb. 27 @ 1–4 pm
Lunch and Music in the Courtyard
Food by King’s Plate Food Truck
Music by Israel Solomon
Open to the public
Friday, Feb. 27 @ 2–3:30 pm
Hip-Hop Dance Workshop with LotusXN
Room 302
—> Click here to register
Friday, Feb. 27 @ 5:30–7:30 pm
Author Talk and Book Discussion: “We Now Belong to Ourselves”
Featuring Arianne Edmonds
Black Box Theater
—> Click here to register
Friday, Feb. 27 @ 8–10 pm
Living Black Worlds Opening Party
Featuring DJ MyGodComplex
Food by Lasgidi Cafe
Black Box Theater
—> Click here to register
DAY 2
Saturday, Feb. 28 @ 10 am
”Mapping My Black River Life”
A ReVision Board Party
Featuring Brian Watson
Room 301
—> Click here to register
Saturday, Feb. 28 @ 12–2 pm
”Black Emergence: Traveling Mercy to the Desert Sun”
Short Film & Discussion on South Phoenix Matriarchy and Memory
Third Street Theater
—> Click here to register
Saturday, Feb. 28 @ 2–6 pm
Lunch and Music in the Courtyard
Kings Plate Food Truck
Soul Food Cuisine
Saturday, Feb. 28 @ 3–4:30 pm
Amapiano Dance Class
(South African House Music)
Featuring Thiditsana “Didi” Moloi
Room 302
—> Click here to register
Saturday, Feb. 28 @ 7–10 pm
Closing Party
Featuring DJ MyGodComplex
Food by Lasgidi Cafe
Black Box Theater
—> Registration Required
Detailed Schedule
FRIDAY • Feb 6
• 6-8 pm: Visual Art Exhibition Opening Reception
FEB 6–28
• Daily: Living Black Worlds Visual Art Exhibition – Open to the public during Phoenix Center for the Arts business hours
FRIDAY • Feb 27
• 12 pm: Quilting & Memory with Kena Tangi Dorsey (r)
• 1 pm: Lunch and Music in the courtyard with King’s Plate and Israel Solomon
• 2 pm: Hip-Hop Dance Workshop with Lotus Numari Noir (r)
• 5:30 pm: Author Talk: We Now Belong to Ourselves with Arianne Edmonds (r)
• 8 pm: Opening Reception with DJ MyGodComplex and bites by Lasgidi Cafe (r)
SATURDAY • Feb 28
• 10 am: ReVision Board Party with Brian Watson (r)
• 12 pm: Black Emergence Film Screening with Instituto featuring lunch bites by King’s Plate (r)
• 2 pm: Lunch and Music in the courtyard with King’s Plate and Israel Solomon (r)
• 3 pm: Amapiano Dance Class with Didi Moloi (r)
• 7 pm: Closing Party with DJ MyGodComplex with bites by Lasgidi Cafe (r)
(r) = Registration required — click the workshop title to sign up
Your Questions, Answered
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Admission to Living Black Worlds is free and open to the public, made possible by the generosity of our funding partners. A $15 materials fee is required for the Adinkra quilting class to cover supplies. If you’re able, please consider donating to Black River Life to help us continue offering arts empowerment programming.
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Yes! This event is open to ages 5 and up. Childcare is available during workshops, please email us at info@blackriver.life to arrange. Nighttime receptions are adults-only.
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No. People of all backgrounds are welcome and encouraged to experience ‘Living Black Worlds.’
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Yes. Please email us at info@blackriver.life to arrange interviews and receive the official ‘Living Black Worlds’ press kit.