The City of Kingston will begin its celebration of Black History Month next week with a City Hall ceremony and an event to highlight a diverse group of local artists. Both events are set for Feb. 1.

The city’s Black History Month program will begin Wednesday, Feb. 1 at 10 a.m. at City Hall. Mayor Steve Noble will present a proclamation to organizers from My Kingston Kids and Harambee Kingston who are coordinating the month-long celebration of Black history and culture in the city. The breakfast event is free and open to the public.

“We are proud to have the City of Kingston as a partner, as we are celebrating the accomplishments and also bringing awareness, education and acknowledgment of African Americans in Kingston,” said Frank Waters, Black History Kingston lead coordinator.

The City Hall celebration will continue Thursday, Feb. 9 at 6:30 p.m. with a public forum featuring artists whose work was featured in Kingston Revealed. The art exhibition, still on display, is the first of its kind at City Hall and showcases the work of some of Kingston’s leading contemporary artists. Featured artists will discuss their works, their methods and the arts’ connection to the city’s wealth of cultures and heritages. Artists participating in the show are Michael Bisio, Debbie Auer-Breithaupt, Ben Eichert, Amy Fenton, Judit German-Heins, Debra Hymes, Pat Jow Kagemoto, Josh Kramb, Carmen Lizardo, Doug Menuez, All Dolled Up by Mumba, Nancy Ostrovsky, Pablo Shine, Coyote Old Song Paul Tobin and Michael A. Torres.

The event is free and light refreshments will be served. A full schedule of Black History Month events in the city is available at www.blackhistorymonthkingston.org.