Five things you can do to celebrate Black History Month on the Riverway
For 2025, the theme for black history month is African Americans and Labor, "focusing on the various and profound ways that work and working of all kinds – free and unfree, skilled, and unskilled, vocational and voluntary – intersect with the collective experiences of Black people" (Association for the Study of African American Life and History).
Check our list below to get inspired this month with events and activities.
1.
Learn about the Randolph freedpeople history while visiting North Star Coffee in Piqua.
The owners, Larry Hamilton and Damon Wilson, are helping to tell the story of the Randolph freedpeople, who came to Piqua prior to the Civil war to settle along the Great Miami River.
While you’re in Piqua, don’t forget to check out the new mural honoring the Mills Brothers, a vocal quartet, all born in Piqua. The group produced such hits as “Tiger Rag,” “Paper Doll,” and “You Always Hurt the One You Love.” In total, they made more than 2,000 recordings that sold more than 50 million copies.
2.
Travel along the Underground Railroad Bicycle Route.
The Great Miami River and the Miami Erie Canal transported goods supporting the farming, mining, and other industries developing in Southwest Ohio in the 19th century, but it also carried more than supplies and traveling passengers on their way to see family and friends; it is believed vessels traveling these routes also carried enslaved people traveling to freedom via the Underground Railroad.
Learn more about the route
3.
Eat at a black-owned restaurant along the Riverway
Mike Neal, owner of Neal's Famous BBQ
Neal’s Famous BBQ in Hamilton operates multiple locations, and Mike Neal’s (pictured above) famous sauce is sold at local stores. Read about Mike Neal’s story.
Medina Cuisine in Sidney recently celebrated their grand opening, offering authentic tastes of Senegal.
Naiyazcsia King-Thomason, known as "Mz.Jade"
Mz. Jade Soul Food in Montgomery County creates homecooked, family recipe inspired meals. The owner, Naiyazcsia King-Thomason, will be sharing her inspiring journey as a business owner at the Fitton Center Celebrating Self series luncheon on February 5.
4.
Go on a Black History Mausoleum Tour at Woodland Cemetery.
Featuring beautiful stained glass windows and telling the stories of George C. Cooper, James Parsons, W. S. McIntosh, Bob and Norma Ross and many others.
The tour will last two hours and if weather permits, will include a walk to James H McGee, Jordan Anderson, Paul Laurence Dunbar and other gravesites.
The tour will be offered on two Saturdays , February 8th and 22nd at 2:00 pm.
5.
Check out some of Five River MetroParks Black History Month events at 2nd Street Market.
Events celebrating black culture and history will be ongoing throughout the month of February, including book readings, musical performances, and educational sessions.