EDUCATIONAL AND SOCIAL EVENTS
Cultural pass
Louisville families, your summer just got even better!
Thanks to the Cultural Pass, youth ages 0–21 and one guardian can enjoy FREE access to Roots 101 African American Museum and other amazing experiences all summer long! ✨
For ticketed events:
Show your Cultural Pass App at entry for FREE admission.
The Silent Party saying the quiet part out loud
The conversation starts where the silence ends.
Join us for The Silent Party: RISE—an empowering evening dedicated to uplifting, connecting, and amplifying the voices of women through honest conversations, spoken word, and meaningful connections.
Experience:
Inspiring Spoken Word Poetry
Powerful Panel of Special Guests
Women-Only Networking
A safe space to speak your truth, build community, and rise together.
📅 Saturday, August 29, 2026
🕕 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
📍 Roots 101 African American Museum
123 N. 1st Street, Louisville, KY 40202
Come ready to be inspired, empowered, and reminded that your voice matters.
Reserve your spot today: Info@roots-101.org
bourbon blues & boots
Get ready for the ultimate Kentucky hoedown!
Join us for the 2nd Annual Bourbon, Blues & Boots: The Midsouthern Hoedown on Saturday, September 19, 2026 at the Shelby County Fairgrounds in Shelbyville, KY!
Featuring a live performance by Nappy Roots and an incredible lineup including Mike Clark Jr., Big Mucci, Meechie, 1K Yella P, Brei Carter, and more artists to be announced.
Grab your boots, gather your crew, and come experience a day packed with great music, Southern culture, and unforgettable memories.
**From. 11-7, children are permitted.
Save our stories
Join us for a joyous, interactive day celebrating and catalyzing community-led preservation and storytelling.
The Louisville Story Program is honored to partner with Roots 101 African American Museum and the Community Archiving Workshop Collective to bring you the Save Our Stories Festival!
The stories and heritage of minoritized communities are being targeted for erasure. What can our collective response look like? Join us in exploring how you can be a part of the effort, and have lots of fun in the process!
Saturday, October 10, 2026
11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Roots 101 African American Museum
124 N 1st St, Louisville, KY 40202
Free & open to the public.
Laughter and pain comedy show
A Night of Healing, Growth, and Laughter for Men
Join us for a FREE men’s-only event that combines powerful conversations with unforgettable comedy. Through honest dialogue, inspiring insights, and plenty of laughs, we’ll explore what it means to thrive physically, mentally, and emotionally in today’s world.
Self destruction anti-violence movement
Join the black panther party corporation for a presentation of our stop the violence movement.
Free Tai Chi clasS
Find your balance. ✨ Join us at the Roots 101 African American Museum for a FREE Tai Chi class led by Master Renée (Tai Chi Nana). Experience the power of gentle movement, mindful breathing, and meditation in motion.
Saturday, June 13
11 AM – 12 PM
124 N. First Street, Louisville, KY
All ages and experience levels are welcome. Come reduce stress, increase flexibility, and start your weekend with wellness. 🌿
Voice magazine may 2026 Volume release party
Join us in celebrating the launch of our May 2026 volume, and meet some of the Leaders of Louisville featured in our "Local Leaders at the Louisville Zoo" spread!
Rsvp below!
speaking engagement at Iliff School of Theology in Denver, Colorado.
On Monday, April 20th, Lamont Collins will speak at Iliff School of Theology in Denver, Colorado
In a world shaped by multi-belonging, Collins invites us to explore how our shared humanity and collective strength can bridge divides, foster connection, and bring us closer together.
Black Family Conference
The Black Family Conference: Stronger Together is a powerful, intergenerational gathering focused on healing, connection, and collective progress. Hosted at The Campbell House, this one-day experience brings together community voices, resources, and conversations designed to uplift and strengthen Black families through wellness, empowerment, and cultural celebration. Join us for a day of inspiration, engagement, and unity.
Rooted in Black History: The Inaugural Black History Gala
Join us for an unforgettable evening as we celebrate legacy, culture, and excellence at Rooted in Black History: The Inaugural Black History Gala 🖤✨
📅 Saturday, February 28, 2026
🕖 7:00 PM | 🎥 Red Carpet begins at 6:00 PM
📍 Roots 101 African American Museum | Louisville, KY
Expect an elegant black-tie experience featuring cocktail hour, networking, an exquisite dinner, inspirational speakers, powerful performances, and purpose-driven activation.
🎟️ Tickets available: Early Bird | General Admission | VIP | The Legacy Table
ROOTED IN BLACK HISTORY: The Inaugural Black History Gala – Reg Morgan Designs
Come dressed to impress as we honor our roots, celebrate our present, and invest in our future
Liberation Bowl
Get ready for a high-energy showdown of knowledge! 🏆
The Roots 101: Black History Liberation Bowl goes down Saturday, February 28, 2026 at 3:00 PM at Dr. William H. Perry Elementary School in Louisville. Teams will go head-to-head in a fast-paced Black history challenge for bragging rights, scholarships, and trophies. Fun, learning, and community pride all in one place, don’t miss it!
Crowned in Culture
Join Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated and the Pi Lambda Omega Chapter, in collaboration with the Derby City Tea Rose Foundation and Meyzeek Middle School, for the Youth Leadership Institute: Pearls of Perfection.
Sunday, February 22, 2026
4 PM – 6 PM
Roots 101 African American Museum
Louisville, KY
book signing: Gary rodgers' moonglows story
The true story of Gary Rodgers, who worked with Bobby Lester (co-founder of The Moonglows with Harvey Fuqua), continued the group’s sound with Bobby’s blessing, performed shows with Harvey Fuqua, and later represented Bobby at The Moonglows’ Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction (2000) with the remaining Original Moonglows .
Roots 101 African American History Museum
Jan 17
6:00 PM
Free | Signed copies available
project Ricochet urban art collective and roots 101
Join us for a powerful new exhibition presented by Project Ricochet Urban Art Collective in partnership with Roots 101 African American Museum.
📅 On View: January 9 – March 2, 2026
Location: Pam Miller Arts Center Community Gallery
141 E. Main St., Lexington, KY 40507
Lex Art Hop Reception:
January 16, 2026
5:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Umoja Kwanzaa Celebration
Join us on the first day of Kwanzaa in observance of Umoja, the principle of unity, through music, poetry, and history.
BFGHS Virtual Meeting guest speaker Lamont Collins
Join Us for a Powerful Virtual Experience!
Lamont Collins, Founder & CEO of Roots 101 African American Museum, will be the featured speaker at the Black Family Genealogy & History Society Virtual Meeting on Saturday, December 13, 2025 at 10 AM (Arizona Time).
Discover why “Legacies Matter” as he shares the mission of Roots 101—honoring the achievements, contributions, and experiences that shape African American history, culture, and art.
Register today: bit.ly/BFGHS-zoom
Or scan the QR code on the flyer.
Don’t miss this inspiring conversation!
Sir Sant Applause mini photoshoot
It’s that magical time of year again! Join us at Roots 101 African American Museum for Christmas Photos with Sir Sant Applause!
Mini sessions are just $30 — the perfect way to capture the joy of the season.
📅 Sessions run November 30th – December 20th
📍 Roots 101 African American Museum
124 N. 1st Street, Louisville, KY 40202
Reserve your spot now and make this holiday season unforgettable! 🎄
Use the link below:
GRAND OPENING: Family Legacy Center
Unlocking Stories, One Family at a Time!
Join us at Roots 101 African American Museum for “Tracing Our Roots Together: A Cultural Collaboration” — an afternoon of discovery, connection, and community.
📅 November 22, 2025
🕑 2PM – 4PM
📍 124 N. 1st Street, Louisville, KY 40202
Explore family legacy through interactive exhibits, workshops, and genealogy tools that help uncover personal histories and deepen your understanding of African American heritage.
In partnership with SNAP Back City Wide Food Drive, Kingdom Fellowship Food Bank, Mt. Nebo Baptist Church, Bliss Studio, Admin Zen, and Home Aide Food Basket, we’re also giving back — please bring two non-perishable items for the community food drive.
Get On The Bus - Day trip to Uncle Nearest Distillery
Get on the bus!
Join Roots 101 for an unforgettable day trip to the Uncle Nearest Distillery in Shelbyville, TN on Saturday, November 15, 2025.
Pick-up Time: 6:45 AM
Travel Time: Approx. 3 hours each way
Tour Length: 1.5 hours (includes a ½-mile walk)
Food: Reservations will be made in advance; all guests will purchase their own meals.
Cost: $101 per person — includes transportation and whiskey tasting.
Final details, including pick-up location and itinerary, will be emailed after ticket purchase.
Let’s celebrate history, culture, and the legacy of Uncle Nearest together!
Book Discussion for Moms
Moms, this one’s for you! 💕 Join us at Roots 101 on Oct. 29 at 5 PM for a thoughtful discussion with author Dr. Nikki Lanier about her inspiring book UnCommon Ground. Let’s talk about how we can help our kids embrace and thrive in a multicultural world.
RootED Futures: Math, Money and Media Mastery Programs
Empowering the next generation!
Join us for RootED Futures: M3 Math, Money & Media Mastery Program starting September 13th at Roots 101, then biweekly. Designed for ages 14–18 to build math, financial & digital literacy skills. Let's shape futures together! #Roots101 #YouthEmpowerment #M3Mastery"
Legacy in Motion Sankofa Experience
Are you ready for a show of a lifetime?
Join us at Roots 101 African American Museum for an unforgettable cultural journey through music, storytelling, spoken word, and performance that honors the voices of our ancestors.
Heavy hors d'oeuvres included with ticket purchase
Event Schedule
Sunday, October 12, 2025 | 2 PM CANCELED
Sunday, October 26, 2025 | 2 PM FREE to public
Sunday, November 9, 2025 | 2 PM
Sunday, December 7, 2025 | 2 PM CANCELED
Sunday, December 21, 2025 | 2 PM CANCELED
Butch Mosby National Chess Day Classic
Join us for the Butch Mosby National Chess Day Classic at Roots 101 African American Museum!
📍 124 N 1st St, Louisville, KY 40202
📅 Saturday, October 11, 2025
🕥 Registration: 10:30 AM | ♟ First Round: 11 AM
💰 $7 per team | Bughouse Chess starts at 1 PM (32 team spots available)
🏆 Prizes: 1st $650 | 2nd $400 | 3rd $300 | 4th $100 (based on 32 full team entries)
Teams must pre-register by October 4, 2025.
Email Coach Corbin at urbanlouisvillechess@yahoo.com | PayPal: @Kentuckychess
Sarah Seavers Chess Camp
Checkmate your summer goals! ♟ Join us at Roots 101 on August 23rd for the Sarah Seavers Chess Camp, inspiring women and girls to thrive in chess and beyond. Learn, play, and explore entrepreneurial opportunities in the global chess community!
Wealth building and society workshop
Wealth Building & Security Workshop — Your Legacy Starts Here!
Join us for a powerful, FREE workshop designed to equip you with strategies for lasting financial success. Our panel of professionals will break down tools to grow, protect, and pass on your wealth.
Topics We’ll Cover:
Using Life Insurance to Build Wealth
Debt Resolution Strategies
Financial Security Planning
Creating a Legacy for the Next Generation
When: Wednesday, August 20
Time: 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM
Where: Roots 101 AAM – 124 N 1st St, Louisville, KY 40202
Why Attend?
Learn from experts passionate about helping YOU thrive
Get practical, real-world financial strategies
Network with like-minded professionals