By Oakland Local Editorial Team

We've got a nice start to an Oakland Black History month event list, thanks to the folks at Oakland wiki:

Black History Month Tours: Free 90 minute downtown walking tours highlighting African American leaders who shaped the history of Oakland. Tours will take place at 10 a.m. Feb. 2 (Sat.), Feb. 6 (Wed.) and Feb. 23 (Sat.). Meet in front of the African American Museum and Library (659 14th St.). Reservations are recommended; to make; call (510) 238-3234 or email aallen@oaklandnet.com. FREE.

Black History Tour in Mountain View Cemetery: Free 2 hour tour through Mountain View Cemetery highlighting African Americans who are buried there, including Jenny Prentiss (who raised Jack London), Byron Rumford, Lil' Bobby Hutton (of the Black Panthers) and more. 10 a.m. Feb. 23 at Mountain View Cemetery. FREE

23rd Annual African American Celebration through Poetry: Celebrate Black History Month at the West Oakland Public Library Branch with a poetry reading from 1 to 4 p.m. Sat. Feb. 2. Poets of all ages (including first time poets!) are welcome to share their work. FREE.

Preschool Percussion and Drumming: Black History Month celebration of percussion and drumming at the Main Library Bradley C. Walters Community Room at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 5. FREE.

Ishmael Reed: Reading and Book Signing: Come hear legendary Oakland Author Ishmael Reed discussing his latest book, “Going Too Far: Essays About America's Nervous Breakdown" from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Feb. 9 at Marcus Books of Oakland, 3900 Martin Luther King Jr. Way. FREE.

Black Family History Day: The African American Genealogical Society of Northern California invites you to learn about your family's history and develop a family tree through workshops and one-on-one assistance. The event will take place at the Oakland Family Search Library, 1 to 5 p.m. Feb. 10. Register for the event here. The Society also will have a mini Black Family History Day on Feb. 9 in San Francisco. FREE.

African American Cultural Celebration: St. Paul's Episcopal School will be having its 25th Annual African American Cultural Celebration from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Feb. 14, featuring music from student bands and guest singers and performers. More information here. FREE.

Love Notes: Luther Vandross tribute concert at the Malonga Casquelourd Center for the Arts on Feb. 14. 8 p.m. More information here. 1428 Alice St. FREE.

Black History Month Craft: Teens are invited to make crafts celebrating Black History Month at the 81st Ave. Library Branch at 3:30 p.m. Feb. 21. FREE.

"What I Hear, I Keep: Stories from Oakland's Griots": Art installation by Walter Hood. An audio-visual installation based on the West African tradition of storytellers (griots). The installation includes stories from African-American residents of Oakland, highlighting Oakland's past and exploring identity today. Opening reception from 2:30 to 5:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 23, at Peralta Hacienda Historical Park, 2465 24th Ave. FREE.

Black History Month Celebration with the African American Quilt Guild of Oakland: Join the African American Quilt Guild of Oakland from 1 to 3 p.m. Feb. 23 at the West Oakland Library Branch for a Black History Month Celebration. More information here. FREE.

Bodac Cultural at Oakland Public Library Branches: Celebrate the music and dance of Africa with Bodac Cultural, an international African traditional singing, dancing, performance and drum group from West Africa. FREE.

• Feb. 5: Montclair Branch, 5:30 p.m.
• Feb. 7: Eastmont Branch, 10:30 a.m.
• Feb. 7: Brookfield Branch, 1 p.m.
• Feb. 13: Elmhurst Branch, 10:15 a.m.
• Feb. 14: Golden Gate Branch, 3:30 p.m.
• Feb. 16: Cesar Chavez Branch, 1 p.m.
• Feb. 20: West Oakland Branch, 10 a.m.
• Feb. 23: Rockridge Branch, 4 p.m.
• Feb. 26: Eastmont Branch, 5:30 p.m.

Check out a long list of events happening around the city on the City of Oakland's site.

Mills College also will be having a large number of events for Black History Month - check out their schedule here.

For more on Oakland Black History month, follow OL this month and see our links at http://oaklandlocal.com/tags/black-history-month

Photo: Sculpture of Calvin Simmons at City Hall