Celebrating Black History Month in Wilmington, DE

Ernest Green Interview at the Wilmington Public Library

The month of February dedicates its 28 days to recognizing and celebrating African-Americans

and honoring their contributions to society. During the month, Downtown Wilmington

businesses are hosting special events to educate, remember, and celebrate African Americans’

achievements throughout history.

The Living Legend Series

The Wilmington Public Library is hosting The Living Legend series for Black History Month.

• Ernest Green | Feb 17 

  Ernest Green is one of the Little Rock Nine, a group of African American students who, in

  1957, were the first black students ever to attend classes at the segregated Little Rock

  Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas. Green was the first African American to

  graduate from the school in 1958.

  Green’s interview will be with CNN Commentator Bakari Sellers.

• Pam Grier | Feb 23

  Actress Pam Grier is best known for her portrayal of tough and sexy crime fighters in the

  1970s genre of “blaxploitation” films such as ‘The Big Bird Cage’, ‘Coffy’, ‘Foxy Brown’

  and ‘Sheba Baby’. Her later work in the 1998 film Jackie Brown earned her a Golden

  Globe nomination. 

  Tonya Baynes will be moderating the conversation.

Clifford Brown Year Around  | Feb 18

Rekindle the love in your life this month with Clifford Brown Year Round! On 2/18 at the

new CSC Station, enjoy performances by Maya Belardo, Nadjah Nicole, Jea Street

(and many more!) as they answer the question “How Do You Sing Love?” Buy your

tickets today!

 A virtual link will be available for those who cannot attend in person.

The Negro Spiritual: An Afternoon Event at SsAM | Feb 19

These songs have become deeply embedded in American culture and modern faith, songs whose creators — often enslaved Black Americans — have gone largely unacknowledged, their names lost to time. Featuring the Wilmington Children’s Chorus and narrated by Bebe Coker.

Free parking in the church parking lot. Click here for directions.

The event will be live-streamed for those who cannot or choose not to attend in-person here at our church. Click here to view SsAM’s YouTube Channel.

A free-will offering will be collected from those attending.

LaFate Gallery: Black History Month Diverse Perspectives | Until Feb 26

Award Winning Folk Artist, Eunice LaFate presents a month-long exhibition called “Black History Month…Diverse Perspectives.” The exhibition features art representing a range of perspectives and moments in Black History.

Gallery Hours: Tuesday - Saturday 11AM-5PM

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Local Black-owned Businesses

Take some time this month (and all year) to shop and eat at local Black owned businesses in Downtown Wilmington. Below are a list of Black-owned businesses you can help support! 

Amity Bistro | 209 N Market St

Opened in October of 2021, enjoy classic breakfast options and American favorites for lunch and dinner. You crave it, Amity Bistro will provide.

Artzscape | 205 N Market St

Artzscape is an innovative performance and event space for theater, music, comedy, poetry, art, and social events.

Evelyn’s Soul Food | 1409 N King St 

From breakfast to dinner, Evelyn’s Soul Food has you covered. Stop by and grab some delicious soul food that’ll keep your tummy happy all day long.

Green Box Kitchen | 400 N Market St & DECO

With the goal of making healthier eating uncomplicated and easily accessible, Green Box Kitchen offers cold pressed juices, smoothies, acai bowls, buddha bowls and much more!

LaFate Gallery | 227 N Market St

Opened in 1993, LaFate Gallery presents a collection of contemporary, traditional, and folk art that reflect Caribbean and American landscapes.

Milk & Honey | 239 N Market St & 807 N Union St

A coffeehouse, gallery, and venue space, Milk & Honey is where the community gathers, and memorable events are held. Make sure to try their famous flat white and one of their many sandwich options.

Morgan’s of Delaware | 222 Delaware Ave

Dress to the nines with the help of Morgan’s of Delaware. The boutique carries a range of clothes and accessories fit for uptown elegance to downtown edge.

Tasties 302 | 825 N Market St

Tasties 302 offers a selection of mouth-watering soul food from southern fried chicken, beef short ribs, and their famous alfredo pasta. Dine-in and take-out options available. 

The Sold Firm | 800-B N Tatnall St

Founded in 2019, The Sold Firm features modern and contemporary emerging, talented visual artists. Their exhibits address a diverse range of cultural subject matters.

Reward Yourself By Dining Downtown

Start this year saving big with the Dine Downtown Deal! Save your receipts when dining-in or ordering takeout 5x at your favorite Downtown eatery between 1/1/2022 - 3/31/2022.  Once you have 5 receipts text Downtown Visions and receive a gift card in the amount of 20% of the total meals purchased (before tip) to the business of your choice in the Wilmington Downtown Business Improvement District (WDBID). It’s that easy! 

• Take a photo of your receipt

• Send it with your name, dining location, and date

• To Downtown Visions (DTV) via text message at 302-502-6003.

Get cash back for dining at the Downtown restaurants you love. You even get to pick the Downtown business you want your gift card to!

Limitations May Apply:

Only genuine receipts from eateries within the official boundaries of the Wilmington’s Downtown Business Improvement District (WDBID) are eligible for the Dine Downtown Deal (see map).  An eatery is defined as a business whose primary purpose is to prepare and serve food to the general public in sit-down or take-out form. Businesses that sell food products as a secondary function are not eligible as receipt sources. Receipts must be for dine-in or takeout. Gift cards or merchandise from the restaurants are not valid. 

Limit of 2 gift cards per participant. You cannot submit more than one receipt from the same location on the same day. The receipts must be legible and submitted along with the customer name, dining location, and the date of the meal. In case of a dispute, DTV has the final authority to decide what receipts are eligible. 

Cashback gift cards are limited to 20% of the total of the five (5) valid receipts submitted (before tip) or up to $100 and may be issued to any business located within the WDBID for use in 2022. A total of five (5) receipts must be submitted in order to be eligible for a gift card. Partial submittals have no cash value. Gift cards will be awarded on a first-come, first-serve basis until funds are exhausted. Employees of DTV are excluded from the program.

Support Local Businesses Now More Than Ever

Image Credit: Common Deer

We rely on our local businesses to create thriving neighborhoods for our residents and visitors every day. During this time of uncertainty, we need to do all we can to support these businesses, and their staff, by:

• ordering takeout

• purchasing gift cards

• following them on social media

• spreading the word about their offers

• posting a positive review

Please consider helping our small business owners and #ShopSmall during this crisis and always!

Shop Locally Made Specials for One Week Only!

For one week only, you can save at your favorite Downtown businesses with exclusive Made on Market offers and promotions! Shop & dine on Market Street the week of June 22nd through 30th to take advantage of these locally made specials!

Some of these awesome deals include:

• WilminGO - BOGO Deal: Buy one ride & get your return trip for FREE. Call 302.513.5135 to book your ride.

• UDairy Creamery - Special Flavor: Port of Wilmington - Fresh banana ice cream loaded with fruits right off the boat.

• Spaceboy Clothing - Buy any graphic t-shirt, get a DE themed t-shirt half price.

• The Residences at Mid-town Park Apartments - $1000 off rent for the 1st person applies, $900 off for the 2nd person, $800 off for the 3rd, … etc.

• Loma Coffee - $5 Cranberry Chicken Salad & $2 German Chocolate Latte

• Delaware History Museum - Buy One Get One Free Admission Tickets

• Collars ’n Cuffs - 20% off discount

• Chelsea Tavern - $7 Delaware Destroyer Burger, Winner of the 2018 Delaware Burger Battle

For the full list of all participating venues & promotions, visit NewMarketWilm.com