JANUARY

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration

Celebration of the life of the Civil Rights leader throughout the New York City community; http://www.king-raleigh.org/natlevent/body.cfm

FEBRUARY

Black History Month

Annual celebration of Black culture featuring theater, dance, music performances and more; various New York City locations during the month; http://www.nycvisit.com

National Black Fine Art Show

Featuring artists from the African Diaspora representing 45 international galleries; past celebrities in attendance include Oprah Winfrey, Susan Taylor, Russell Simmons, Cicely Tyson, Angela Bassett, Tyra Banks; http://www.nationalblackfineartshow.com

African American Heritage Month

Three weekends of unprecedented conversations, collaborations, and performances with internationally renowned artists, educators, and scholars; American Museum of Natural History; http://www.amnh.org

National Minority Business Council Awards Luncheon

Annual fundraising awards luncheon honoring minority and corporate leaders; New York Marriott Marquis; http://www.nmbc.org

MARCH

Reel Sisters Film Festival

Annual festival featuring films by over 25 women from around the world; Long Island University, Brooklyn; http://www.reelsisters.org

25 Influential Black Women in Business Women Awards Luncheon

Annual event featuring over 800 business professionals and corporate executives; New York Marriott Marquis Hotel; http://www.nycvisit.com

MAY

DanceAfrica

One of America's largest celebrations of African and African American dance, music, and culture; BAM Howard Gilman Opera House; weblink

JUNE

Juneteenth

Celebration of the African American tradition throughout the community; various New York locations; http://www.juneteenth.com

Real Men Cook for Charity

Family celebration and fundraising event on or near Fathers Day; New York City; http://www.realmencook.com

JVC Jazz Festival

Huge annual jazz festival involving 35 concerts at various locations; past performers include Herbie Hancock, Roy Hargrove, Shirley Horn, Cassandra Wilson, James Brown; New York City; http://www.festivalproductions.net

Urbanworld Film Festival

International film festival featuring 70 independent films from around the world; major studio films have also been featured in the past including Best Man, Soul Food, How Stella Got Her Groove Back, Introducing Dorothy Dandridge, Down in the Delta, Hoodlum, Why Do Fools Fall In Love; New York City; http://uwff.com

AUGUST

Harlem Week

So big its grown to cover two months; Annual event featuring Harlem Jazz Fest, Historic Black College Fair, Junior Tennis Classic, Gymnastics Gala, Charlie Parker Jazz Festival, Family Unity Day Festival, Black Film Festival, Children's Festival, Fashion Shows and much more, various Harlem locations; http://www.harlemdiscover.com/harlemweek

SEPTEMBER

African American Day Parade

Annual parade featuring dignitaries, celebrities and elected officials will march as well as bands and organizations from 12 states; Harlem; http://www.africanamericandayparade.org

NOVEMBER

African Diaspora Film Festival

Annual celebration produced by ArtMattan Productions; featuring some of the best new films about the multifaceted global experiences of people of color by independent filmmakers from around the world; various venues in New York City; http://nyadff.org

DECEMBER

African Diaspora Film Festival

Annual celebration produced by ArtMattan Productions; featuring some of the best new films about the multifaceted global experiences of people of color by independent filmmakers from around the world; various venues in New York City; http://nyadff.org

Kwanzaa Celebration

Begins 12/26/09; 7-day celebration of African American culture; New York City; http://www.soulofamerica.com/kwanzaa-celebrations.phtml