Philadelphia, PA 19103-1189
(215) 567-7710
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Contact: Communications and Development
Free Library Celebrates Black History Month at Libraries Throughout Philadelphia
PHILADELPHIA, January 30, 2020—The Free Library of Philadelphia is proud to celebrate Black History Month throughout the month of February with extensive programming in many of its neighborhood libraries, including craft workshops, performances, film screenings, and discussions.
“The Free Library of Philadelphia is offering an expansive array of programs to both commemorate and illuminate the legacy of black history. We want to celebrate black resilience, creativity, and resourcefulness throughout the past and today. We hope to bring incredible events to all of Philadelphia’s neighborhoods that do justice to the cultural richness and complexity our black ancestors left us,” said Kalela Williams, Director of Neighborhood Library Enrichment Programming, Division of Cultural and Civic Engagement.
Programs invite attendees to listen, learn, and share their thoughts about African American culture and experiences. Listed below are highlights of our system-wide Black History Month programming. For a complete up-to-date listing of all upcoming events, visit freelibrary.org/blackhistorymonth.
Lunchtime Talk With Trapeta B. Mayson | Poetic Musings on Toni Morrison
Tuesday, February 4 | 12:30 p.m.
The Rosenbach, 2008-2010 Delancey Pl.
Through original poems and audience dialogue, 2019–2020 Philadelphia Poet Laureate Trapeta B. Mayson will discuss the of impact of Toni Morrison’s work on African American women writers and explore the themes of race, class, and gender in Morrison’s work.
Hands-on History: The Elite of Our People
Saturday, February 8 | 2:00 p.m.
Rare Book Department at the Parkway Central Library, 1901 Vine St.
Handle photographs, illustrations, and documents that illustrate some of the schools, churches, and entertainments that middle-class African Americans enjoyed in the 19th and early 20th centuries, and discuss how these objects speak to today’s Philadelphia.
Black History Month 3-D Art Display Project Series
Monday, February 10 | 4:00 p.m.
Wynnefield Library, 5325 Overbrook Ave.
Join artist and FLP staff member Ethel Funches to create a new 3-D art display for Wynnefield Library in commemoration of Black History Month. Refreshments will be served.
Inclusivity and Indie Authors: The Case for Community-Based Publishing
Saturday, February 15 | 3:00 p.m.
Logan Library, 1333 Wagner Ave.
Join author Zetta Elliott for a discussion about the ways in which self-publishing can be an alternative for authors of color who are excluded from the traditional publishing industry. She will explore a model of community-based publishing that uses print-on-demand technology to transfer power from the industry’s gatekeepers to those excluded from the publishing process.
Black History Month Cultural Fair
Saturday, February 22 | 1:00 p.m.
Lucien E. Blackwell West Philadelphia Regional Library, 125 South 52nd St.
Lucien E. Blackwell West Philadelphia Regional Library, in collaboration with the African American Museum in Philadelphia, is hosting the second annual Black History Month Cultural Fair. Representatives from Afrocentric cultural institutions throughout the city will be available to share information and answer questions about their respective organizations.
Multimedia Book Talk | She Came to Slay: The Life and Times of Harriet Tubman
Saturday, February 29 | 1:00 p.m.
Haverford Library, 5543 Haverford Ave.
More than a book talk, this program incorporates passages from the book, as well as historical and contemporary insights, audio and video clips, and more for a richer understanding of She Came to Slay.
01/30/2020
Department of External Affairs, Free Library of Philadelphia, 1901 Vine Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103-1189
(215) 567-7710, FAX (215) 567-7850