Celebrate black achievements
We tell stories of Black people’s triumphs to celebrate their success and recognize the path they blazed for others to follow
Unearth the Past
We share stories of the people, places and events that shaped Black history in Massachusetts
Harriet Tubman
Step on Board Memorial-Boston
A Philip Randolph
African-American Railroad Worker Dedication-Boston
From Boston to the Berkshires, there is an abundance of Black History throughout the Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Learn Black History of Massachusetts
Black Gems Unearthed is an educational video series about Black History of Massachusetts. We bring Black history to life through well researched storytelling, and we show you present day locations where history took place throughout the state. Sources are provided for each video within the YouTube video descriptions so that you can continue to learn and explore on your own.
Jazz Dottin is the host of Black Gems Unearthed. She is originally from Massachusetts and is learning about Black history in her own backyard. Jazz earned a bachelors in Tourism Management and Spanish from Temple University, and has worked in the tourism industry and arts and culture field for 10+ years.
About us
Video Series
Black Gems Unearthed is on Youtube!
Check out our latest Black History video by clicking here.
Events
Black Gems Unearthed curates a list of upcoming educational Black history events from organizations based around Massachusetts. We also provide a short list of short term art exhibts around the state featuring Black history and culture. Both lists are populated as events and exhibits available. Please visit the organizer's website to verify full event and exhibit information.
If you would like your educational event or exhibt included on this list, please send an email request. See the contact page for our email.
Short Term Exhibits
Redemption
ArtsWorcester East Gallery
At the intersection of art, craft, and history, Jennifer Davis Carey's portraits in enamel re-interpret a famous and controversial set of nineteenth-century daguerreotypes depicting unclad, enslaved people in the United States.
October 7-November 7, 2021
https://artsworcester.org/upcoming-events-at-artsworcester/
Ashley Bryan in Song
The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art
Now 98 years old, the celebrated artist and author Ashley Bryan has committed his life to filling the void of Black representation in children’s literature
Jun. 12 – Nov. 7, 2021
https://www.carlemuseum.org/content/current-exhibitions
Uncommon Threads: The Works of Ruth E. Carter
New Bedford Art Musuem/Art Works
May 1 – November 14, 2021
https://newbedfordart.org/ruth/
Untold Stories: A History of Black People in Lynn
Lynn Museum & Historical Society
Apr. 10 – Dec. 31, 2021
https://lynnmuseum.org/exhibits-and-collections/