Black History Month

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Black History Month 2025 celebrates the National Negro Opera Company (NNOC), founded in 1941 in Pittsburgh as the first African American opera company in the United States. Mary Cardwell Dawson established the company with the goal of promoting African American performers in the opera world, which was predominantly white at the time. The NNOC was instrumental in breaking racial barriers within the classical music world, offering a platform for Black opera singers to showcase their talents and gain recognition for more than two decades.

  • Opening Reception: Monday, February 3, Grand Lobby, City-County Building, Downtown Pittsburgh
  • Black History Month Display: February 3 - 28, Grand Lobby, City-County Building, Downtown Pittsburgh
  • Online Content: February 1 - 28, follow us on @PghEventsOffice on Facebook and @PghEventsOffice on X for digital content including photos and memorabilia throughout the month of February

WATCH OPENING RECEPTION VIDEO City Channel Pittsburgh

BHM stage speaker group photo.
bhm display set
bhm AARP group photo

 

Sponsors

AARP Pennsylvania, WAMO 107.3, KDKA newsradio

Tribute to Mary Cardwell Dawson

Mary Cardwell Dawson (1894 – 1962) was a trailblazer in the world of opera and classical music. This gifted opera singer and music educator served as the founding force behind the National Negro Opera Company. Dawson was committed to improving opportunities for African American musicians, particularly in the opera world, where Black artists faced significant discrimination.

Her vision for the NNOC was to create a space where African Americans could perform opera at the highest level and gain the same recognition and opportunities as their white counterparts.  She believed that opera was a powerful medium through which African American culture could be showcased and celebrated.

The National Opera House: Restoring a Legacy

The National Opera House (NOH) is a non-profit organization dedicated to restoring, preserving, and maintaining the historic home at 7101 Apple Street in Pittsburgh. This landmark building served as the birthplace of the National Negro Opera Company (NNOC), the first permanent African-American opera company in the nation. Founded by Miriam White and Jonnet Solomon, The National Opera House has established a mission to restore and maintain the historic house. This preservation continues a legacy of creative excellence that nurtures talent and widens access to opportunities.

NOH envisions 7101 Apple Street as an internationally recognized center for education and entertainment. The non-profit aims to:

  • INSPIRE, EMPOWER, AND UPLIFT by providing access to arts and cultural experiences for all;
  • BREAK DOWN BARRIERS by fostering inclusivity and creating opportunities for diverse voices;
  • ACCELERATE CAREERS by supporting the growth of artists and cultural entrepreneurs.

NOH seeks to restore not only the physical structure of the building but also the spirit of entrepreneurship and education that thrived within its walls. The non-profit aims to create a vibrant hub where artists can connect, learn, and thrive, continuing the legacy of innovation and community that has defined this historic site. This site will serve as a monument to the courageous visionaries that created a legacy and changed the world.

Learn more about NOH at  https://www.nationaloperahouse.org/.

 

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