February is Black History Month, and Anchorage overflows with ways to celebrate, commemorate, and educate. Attend a special event, eat at a Black-owned restaurant, shop at a Black-owned business, and surround yourself with the work of Anchorage’s brilliant Black artists: Here are a few of our favorite ways to get started, in February and throughout the year.

Attend a community event

Join the Anchorage Public Library and the Anchorage Museum for a virtual lunch and learn event centered around the museum’s exhibit “Black Lives in Alaska: Journey, Justice, Joy,” or listen in on a conversation about Black history and art of the Harlem Renaissance. Make plans to visit the 7th Annual Alaska Black Business Expo, hosted by The Business Boutique and the Alaska Black Chamber of Commerce at the Anchorage Museum. However you celebrate, Anchorage has the perfect way to do it.

Savor some local flavor

Enjoy everything from catfish to cupcakes at Anchorage’s Black-owned eateries: Try brunch at Waffles and Whatnot, savor charcoal-roasted chicken at Spinz Pollo a la Brasa, fuel up with a fresh cup of coffee at The Drip, or satisfy your sweet tooth at Eva’s Cupcakery.

Learn about Anchorage history and culture

Visit the Anchorage Museum to see “Black Lives in Alaska: Journey, Justice, Joy” (on view through Feb. 13), or visit the Alaska Veterans Museum to learn about the 93rd Engineer General Service Regiment, the 95th Engineer General Service Regiment, and the 97th Engineer General Service Regiment – the regiments whose members played an integral role in the historic construction of the Alaska Highway.

Support a local business

Alaska’s Black-owned businesses run the gamut, from jewelry to baby supplies and beyond. Bring the whole family to exercise some creativity at Selfie WRLD Alaska at the Dimond Center Mall, or browse vintage fashion finds from Kuration Collective. Traveling with young children? Anchorage-based BabyVend provides vending machines stocked with essentials for infants and toddlers – find these innovative machines at the Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport, the Anchorage Museum, Dimond Center, and other locations around the city.

Admire Anchorage art

From gallery exhibits to street art, enjoy eye-catching work by Black artists. Treat yourself to an acrylic masterpiece by fine artist Vonnie Gaither, be charmed by the original creations of Kenneth Williams, “Pipe Cleaner Master of Alaska,” and find large-scale paintings by Anchorage muralist Arielo Taylor.