Madison Public Library Celebrates Black History Month

posted February 1, 2016 – 6:49am

Events and displays to honor the contributions of African Americans, historic and present

From the revolutionary Black Panthers to a local author book launch with a theme of love on Valentine’s Day, Black history will be celebrated throughout the month of February at Madison Public Library. Eleven programs in February and March will highlight various contributions – past and present – of Black poets, storytellers, activists, politicians, authors, musicians, storytellers and more.

Programs include:

Black History Month Kickoff with Fabu
February 5, 6:30-7:30pm – Goodman South Madison Library

Reducing Racism and Prejudice
February 9, 12-1:30pm – Central Library

Advance Film Screening of Black Panthers: Vanguard of the Revolution
February 9, 6:30-8:30pm – Central Library

Love Released Book Launch (Fabu, Catrina J. Sparkman, and Sherry Lucille)
February 13, 1-3pm – Central Library

Black Storytime with Rev. Melva Bishop-Hewing
February 19, 6:30-7:30pm – Goodman South Madison Library

UW Presents: A Reading with Poet Roger Reeves
February 23, 7-8:30pm – Central Library

Film Screening of Vel Phillips: Dream Big Dreams
February 25, 6:30-8:30pm – Pinney Library

Black Storytime with Rev. Dr. Leonard Thompson, Sr.
February 26, 6:30-7:30pm – Goodman South Madison Library

Kasiya Phiri Presents African Folklore for All Ages
February 27, 3-4pm – Hawthorne Library

Film Showing of Straight Outta Compton
March 18, 7-9pm – Hawthorne Library

Book to Art Club Explores Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson
March 20, 1:30-2:30pm – Central Library

In addition, the Central Library will host a month-long art exhibit titled Racial Justice Maps, featuring the work of geographer Elsa Noterman and printmaker Anders Zanichkowski who created four maps of Madison that reflect the experiences of incarceration, homelessness, and indigenous land use. Different maps will be featured weekly across from the circulation desk on the library’s first floor.

Madison libraries will also feature Black History Month displays highlighting the contributions of Black Americans past and present. Follow along as the library highlights facts, books, events, and more via social media all month long on Facebook (Madison Public Library) and Twitter (@madisonlibrary) #BlackHistoryMonth