February is Black History Month in the United States and local groups are ready to commemorate it.

The Boys & Girls Club of Brookhaven will present its annual radio essays, and students at Mississippi School of the Arts will present a special Black History Month production and a month-long art exhibit.

Since 1998, Boys & Girls Club of Lincoln County Director Melanie Lewis has taken students to radio station WCHJ 1470 AM to observe Black History Month. The Christian station in Brookhaven is managed by Charles Tillman, who hosts Lewis and two students each day as the children read essays on prominent black historical figures. Tillman also follows up by asking the children questions about what they’ve read.

“I have had a first-grader participate, but it’s usually third- through sixth-graders,” Lewis said. “They do a fine job.”

The segments begin Wednesday, Feb. 1, from 4:30 until 5 p.m., and will air on weekdays through Valentine’s Day, Feb. 14.

The School of the Arts will present “A Night of Celebration of Black History” on Friday, Feb. 3, at 7 p.m. upstairs in Enochs Hall. The free event is open to the public and involves students from all art disciplines.

Just prior to the “Night of …” event, the art gallery will open downstairs in Enochs Hall at 5:30 p.m., with a Black History-themed art show. The show will be open to the public until the performance time.

The art exhibit will remain on display until March 19.