To celebrate Black History Month 2018, Metropolitan State University and the East Side Freedom Library will co-host a series of film screenings and discussions.

Events are free and open to the public. They are co-sponsored by the Metro State Library and Learning Center, Dean of Students, Multicultural Affairs, African American Student Services, and Equal Opportunity and Diversity.

Thursday, Feb. 1 at 7 p.m. Film Space, Founders Hall, St. Paul campus: “Amazing Grace.” The biographical drama depicts efforts to end the British transatlantic slave trade. Post-film discussion led by Craig Morris, Metro State’s Chief Diversity Officer.

Saturday, Feb. 3 at 1 p.m. at East Side Freedom Library, 1105 Greenbrier St., St. Paul: “The Sound of Torture.” A documentary on the plight of Eritrean refugees. Post-film discussion led by Ayantu Tibeso of the Oromo Documentary Project.

Thursday, Feb. 8 at 7 p.m. at Film Space, Founders Hall, St. Paul campus: “North Star: Civil War Stories.” The new TPT documentary shares the stories of African-American Minnesotans during and after the Civil War.  Film director Daniel Pierce Bergin will lead the post-film discussion.

Thursday, February 15 at 7 p.m.  at East Side Freedom Library, 1105 Greenbrier St., St. Paul: “Mother of George.” The drama depicts the fraying marriage of a Nigerian-born couple in Brooklyn. The film stars Danai Gurira (of “Black Panther” and “The Walking Dead”). Discussion led by Cherish Sonja Gibson, a Liberian-American poet and essayist.

Tuesday, Feb. 20 at 7 p.m. at East Side Freedom Library, 1105 Greenbrier St., St. Paul: “An Outrage.” A documentary on the history of lynching in the American South. Discussion to follow with the filmmakers and Dr. Yohuru Williams, Dean of Liberal Arts at the University of St.Thomas.

For more information, see eastsidefreedomlibrary.org/events.

Saturday, Feb. 24, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m, Family picnic with the Black Storytellers Alliance. Metro State Library and Learning Center, 645 E. 7th St., St. Paul. Bring a picnic blanket and enjoy Stories by Nothando Zulu and free food.  For more information, see facebook.com/events/2052733764971500/

A “Black History Celebration” book display is located on the second floor of the library.

Events at Metro State’s partner campuses

– St. Paul College

Thursday, Feb. 1 at 11 a.m.: “Selma” film screening.

Wednesday, Feb. 21 at 3 p.m., Room 1514: “13th,” a documentary that explores, race, justice and mass incarceration.

– North Hennepin Community College, Brooklyn Park

Thursday, Feb. 1 at 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Campus Center, first floor: Black History Month kickoff event

– Hennepin Technical College, Brooklyn Park

Friday, Feb. 2 at 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., cafeteria: Black History Month kickoff event

Events around the Twin Cities

Tuesday, Feb. 13 at 6 to 9 p.m., Minnesota History Center, 345 W. Kellogg Blvd., St. Paul:

“A Good Time for the Truth” panel presentation and discussion.

Three contributors to the book “A Good Time for the Truth” will lead a discussion on race relations in Minnesota: David Lawrence Grant, Shannon Gibney (English faculty at MCTC), and Taiyon Coleman. Metro State alumna Andrea Jenkins and Sherry Quan Lee, community faculty member in Creative Writing at Metro State, also contributed essays to the book. For more information, see mnhs.org/event/5196.

Special performances at Penumbra Theatre, 270 Kent St., St. Paul.

Saturday, Feb. 3 at 11 a.m.: RACE Workshop. Theatre to “get you thinking about race and identity in America.” Tickets are $15 with college ID.

Sunday, Feb. 25 at 4 p.m. “Sunday Supper: Selected Children’s Stories from Langston Hughes.” Community dinner followed by reading of stories by professional actors. For ages 5 plus. Tickets are $12.

For more information and tickets, see penumbratheatre.org/events/upcoming/black-history-month.