In honor of Black History Month, Macy’s is inviting prominent African American public figures to engage in panel discussions and meet-and-greets at store locations across the country. The department store chain understands the influence Black culture has had on American history overall, and these February events are meant to acknowledge that invaluable contribution.
Jurnee Smollett-Bell, a longtime actress who’s starring in the upcoming WGN series “Underground,” will lead the discussions, which will be focused on the importance and impact of Black culture in America. R&B singer Monica will join her in New York City, Philadelphia, San Francisco and Los Angeles; “Murder in the First” actor Taye Diggs will be in Atlanta and Miami; actor Terrence J in New York City; Black Girls Rock! founder Beverly Bond and social activist Eunique Jones Gibson in Washington, D.C.; chef G. Garvin and illustrator Shane Evans in Atlanta and Miami; and sports reporter Rosalyn Gold-Onwude in San Francisco.
“As a retailer with a rich history of providing A-list entertainment within the shopping experience, we are thrilled to give our customers a glimpse into the lives and careers of a diverse group of today’s undeniably talented leaders from a variety of industries as they discuss the contributions of Black Americans who came before them and how they are helping to inspire a new generation,” said Dineen Garcia, Macy’s vice president of diversity strategies.
At the end of each discussion and meet-and-greet, attendees will get a peek into Smollett-Bell’s show, “Underground,” which follows a group of enslaved Black Americans in Georgia who try to escape captivity. Attendees will also receive “Underground” t-shirts.
“I am thrilled to be working with Macy’s to celebrate Black History Month,” said Smollett-Bell. “As we reflect and pay tribute to the trailblazers who had strength and courage before us, I look forward to connecting with a lot of great people throughout the country and engaging in a dialogue about finding that strength and courage in ourselves everyday.”
View the Macy’s Black History Month tour dates below:
Macy’s Herald Square (New York City) – Wednesday, Feb. 3 at 6 p.m.
Macy’s City Center (Philadelphia) – Thursday, Feb. 4 at 5:30 p.m.
Macy’s State Street (Chicago) – Wednesday, Feb. 10 at 5:30 p.m.
Macy’s Metro Center (Washington, D.C.) – Thursday, Feb. 11 at 5:30 p.m.
Macy’s Lenox Square (Atlanta) – Friday, Feb.12 at 7 p.m.
Macy’s Aventura (Aventura, FL) – Saturday, Feb. 13 at Noon
Macy’s Union Square (San Francisco) – Wednesday, Feb. 17 at 6 p.m.
Macy’s Baldwin Hills (Los Angeles) – Thursday, Feb. 18 at 6 p.m.
