STATEHOUSE CALENDAR

The Ohio Statehouse will celebrate Black History Month with two free performances in February. The events will be live in the Atrium of the Ohio Statehouse. To expand viewer accessibility, the performances are planned to be livestreamed via OhioChannel.org.

The 45-minute live performances start at noon, and will be followed by 15 minutes for Q & A.    

The events are free and open to the public.  If you or your organization would like to schedule a group to attend a performance, please contact Katie Montgomery at 614-728-3726 or kmontgomery@ohiostatehouse.org.

Tuesday, Feb. 15, 2022  

FROM THE HEART, SO MUCH TO DISCOVER:  The Heritage of Ohio’s Black Voices

Performance by Lyn Ford, storyteller and author

Here in Ohio, and across the nation, the voices of the state's African American poets, novelists, and storytellers of all kinds wait to be discovered or remembered by a larger population.  Experience the heritage of promise, strength, humor, and hope in the lives and words of a few of Ohio’s Black voices, shared by one of the state’s Affrilachian storytellers and authors, Lyn Ford.  Watch the live-stream on OhioChannel.org.  

Tuesday, Feb. 22, 2022 

OF MEMORY AND HISTORY:  An Affrilachian Storyteller Speaks 

Performance by Lyn Ford, storyteller and author

Humor and heart are rooted in our family's storytelling traditions. Affrilachian culture, stories and folktales are shared by one of Ohio’s Affrilachian storytellers and authors, Lyn Ford.

About Lyn Ford:  

Lyn Ford is an award-winning storyteller and teaching artist based in Columbus, Ohio.  Her performances are related to her experiences of Affrilachian culture and family stories.  She is a performer at storytelling festivals in Canada, Hawaii, Australia, Ireland, and across the United States.  Lyn is the author of storytelling magazine articles and has written several books.  

Read Lyn's poetry in the upcoming publications: I Thought I heard a Cardinal Sing: Ohio's Appalachian Voices, scheduled for publication in March 2022, and the journal Tomorrow and Tomorrow, the spring 2022 "Birth" issue.

Lyn is a member of We’ve Known Rivers, a group of dynamic storytellers that commemorate the African American experience in American history through engaging first-person presentations. 

Capitol Cafe is Open for Statehouse Guests

In honor of the Black History Month presentations, HouseTaco at the Capitol Café will offer a discount of 15% off food orders on Tuesday, February 15 and Tuesday, February 22, 2022.  Patrons may use the promo code 1522 with online orders of $5 minimum.  HouseTaco is located on the ground floor of the Ohio Statehouse.