Celebrate Black History

The origins of Black History Month stem from Harvard-trained historian Carter G. Woodson and the founding of the Association for the Study of African American Life and History. In 1926, Woodson and the association sponsored the first National Negro History Week to honor the birthdays of Frederick Douglass, a formerly enslaved abolitionist, and former President Abraham Lincoln. Schools, churches, and communities continued to recognize local African American's during NNHW. Then in 1976 President Gerald Ford officially recognized National Black History Month.

Each February, the ACLD celebrates Black History Month by recognizing and honoring the outstanding contributions that Black Americans have made to American history and culture. At the Library District, we will have many amazing programs to honor Black History Month. Take a look at what your local branch is doing and see staff selected books lists below that promote Black stories in our collection.

Upcoming Events

Resources

All Ages
Gale in Context: Biography
Learn more about the lives that made an impact in our world.

Featured Events

Headquarters Library

Celebrating Local Voices with the Opinionated Ladies Book Club
Saturday, Jan. 27, 2 p.m., Adults
Join us as local author Brenda Jackson, a romance novelist, will talk about her writing career and bestselling novels.
African Americans and the Arts
Thursday, Feb. 1, 3 p.m., Ages 6-11
Come by the Storywoods Room as we spotlight influential Black artists and discuss their lives and work, then test out some of their techniques with your own art project.

Alachua Branch

An Afternoon with Frederick Douglass and Capt. John Brown
Sunday, Feb. 18, 2 p.m., All Ages
Peer into the friendship between two icons of the abolitionist movement. Co-sponsored by ARTSPEAKSgnv Inc., this theatrical performance stars E. Stanley Richardson as Fredrick Douglass and Shamrock McShane as Captain John Brown.
African American Read-In
Sunday, Feb. 25, 2 p.m., All Ages
Come listen to stories and musical performances as we salute Black authors and musicians during this community event co-sponsored by the Alachua Branch Friends of the Library.

Archer Branch

Tags for Truth
Saturday, Feb. 17, 2 p.m., Ages 6-18
Create a bookmark featuring quotations by Martin Luther King, Jr., Maya Angelou, Jesse Jackson, Barbara Jordan, and other notable Black icons.

Cone Park Branch

Black History Through Documentary Films
Friday, Feb. 2, 4 p.m., Teens and Adults
Join us for a series of intriguing documentary films that highlight Black history.
Black History Through Documentary Films
Friday, Feb. 9, 4 p.m., Teens and Adults
Join us for a series of intriguing documentary films that highlight Black history.
History Stories and Crafts
Wednesday, Feb. 14, 3 p.m., Ages 3-11
Come out for stories and crafts as we celebrate a variety of Black historical figures and their accomplishments. Learn about prominent Black figures in history and make a craft to take home.
Black History Through Documentary Films
Friday, Feb. 16, 4 p.m., Teens and Adults
Join us for a series of intriguing documentary films that highlight Black history.
History Stories and Crafts
Wednesday, Feb. 21, 3 p.m., Ages 3-11
Come out for stories and crafts as we celebrate a variety of Black historical figures and their accomplishments. Learn about prominent Black figures in history and make a craft to take home.
Black History Through Documentary Films
Friday, Feb. 23, 4 p.m., Teens and Adults
Join us for a series of intriguing documentary films that highlight Black history.
History Stories and Crafts
Wednesday, Feb. 28, 3 p.m., Ages 3-11
Come out for stories and crafts as we celebrate a variety of Black historical figures and their accomplishments. Learn about prominent Black figures in history and make a craft to take home.

Hawthorne Branch

African American Read-In
Saturday, Feb. 17, 2 p.m., All Ages
Celebrate Black authors and poets as we share our favorite passages, poems, and more. Come listen to local luminaries, leaders in government, education, religion, and the arts, and read from their favorite Black authors.
Hawthorne Hub
Tuesday, Feb. 20, 3 p.m., Ages 6-11
Join us for this after-school program where we will create collages celebrating Black history.
Inspired Abstract Painting
Thursday, Feb. 29, 4 p.m., Teens
Learn about the life and artistic works of painter Alma Thomas. Then utilize her unique painting style to create your own abstract paintings.

High Spring Branch

African American Genealogy Research
Friday, Feb. 9, 3 p.m., Teens and Adults
Join our genealogy librarian Caroline to learn how to use information like; passenger and immigration lists, genealogy guidebooks, and census records to research your family history at the Library District.

Library Partnership Branch

Finding History
Thursday, Feb. 1, All Month, All Ages
Participate in a scavenger hunt. View our interactive display, follow the leads to find answers to Black history questions, then win a prize!
Teens Discover Black History
Tuesday, Feb. 20, 3 p.m., Teens
Join us to watch the movie “Hidden Figures.”
Teens Discover Black History
Wednesday, Feb. 21, 3 p.m., Teens
Join us to make zines honoring Mary Jackson, Dorothy Vaughn, and Katherine Johnson.
Teens Discover Black History
Thursday, Feb. 22, 3 p.m., Teens
Join us to we watch “Black Panther.”
Teens Discover Black History
Friday, Feb. 23, 3 p.m., Teens
Join us to learn about Afrofuturism and make artistic collages.
Teens Discover Black History
Monday, Feb. 26, 3 p.m., Teens
Draw your own design or use one of our premade graphics to create buttons to celebrate Black History Month.

Micanopy Branch

African American Poetry Read-Aloud
Saturday, Feb. 17, 2 p.m., Adults
Join us to listen to African American poetry as we celebrate Black History Month. Participants will have the opportunity to share their favorite poems.

Millhopper Branch

Enchanted Pages Book Club
Thursday, Feb. 1, 6 p.m., Adults
If you like popular fantasy and romance novels this new book club is for you. In correlation with Black History Month, we will be reading “You Made a Fool of Death with Your Beauty,” by Akwaeke Emzei.
Millhopper Book Club
Tuesday, Feb. 6, 1 p.m., Adults
If you like discussing newer fiction and nonfiction titles then this book club is for you. In correlation with Black History Month, we will be reading “The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store,” by James McBride.
BHM Jeopardy
Thursday, Feb. 8, 4:30 p.m., All Ages
Join us for a game of Jeopardy with categories focusing on Black History. Participants will be sorted into teams and work together to answer questions and win points.
Arts in Focus
Wednesday, Feb 28, 3 p.m., Ages 5-11
Join us for an exciting afternoon of poetry and art with local teacher Tina Richardson and her father E. Stanley Richardson, the poet laureate of Alachua County. The two will present poetry and pictures for elementary age children to celebrate Black history.

Newberry Branch

An Afternoon with author David F. Frazier
Sunday, Feb. 4, 3 p.m., Teens and Adults
Join us as Mr. Frazier reads from and discusses his book Dream Big: Living the 20-20 Vision.

Tower Road Branch

Pipe Cleaner Constellations
Wednesday, Feb. 7, 2 p.m., Ages 5-11
Celebrate Black History Month as we make model constellations out of pipe cleaners while learning about famous Black astronomers, past and present. All supplies will be provided.

Waldo Branch

Make a Diddley Bow
Thursday, Feb. 15, 4 p.m., All Ages
Make and decorate a diddley bow, an African American folk instrument. Learn how this one-stringed instrument paved the way for the Delta blues and inspired the stage name of famous Alachua County resident, Bo Diddley. Registration required.
Bots and Blocks Super Circuits
Friday, Feb. 16, 3:30 p.m., Ages 11-18
Learn about Lewis Latimer, the African American inventor who helped create the first practical lightbulb. Then, design electrical circuits to light up LED lights with this hands-on STEAM project. Registration required.
Make a Diddley Bow
Thursday, Feb. 17, 4 p.m., All Ages
Make and decorate a diddley bow, an African American folk instrument. Learn how this one-stringed instrument paved the way for the Delta blues and inspired the stage name of famous Alachua County resident, Bo Diddley. Registration required.
Page Turners Book Club
Wednesday, Feb. 28, 3 p.m., Adults
If you like discussing adult fiction and nonfiction titles then this book club is for you. In correlation with Black History Month, we will be reading “Sankofa,” by Chibundu Onuzo.

We would like to thank 98.9 JAMZ for their support of the ACLD Black History Month programming.