Celebrate Black History Month by creating art inspired by African American artists! Art creation days will take place in the Meijer Branch Community Room on February 1, 3-5 PM and February 9, 10 AM-12 PM. Supplies, information and inspiration will be provided.
Artwork will be on display February 19-March 1 during open hours.
Please note: art can be a messy process, and patrons are encouraged to dress accordingly when attending the art creation days.
If you would like to create your piece of art at home, submissions must be received by February 16 to be included in the display.
There will be a showing of the documentary Parliament-Funkadelic: One Nation Under a Groove on February 25 at 2 PM in the Carnegie Library auditorium.
About the documentary: Parliament-Funkadelic: One Nation Under A Groove was broadcast in the USA on PBS in October 2005 as part of the Independent Lens series. The documentary chronicles the development of the Parliament-Funkadelic musical collective, led by the producer, writer and arranger George Clinton. Parliament-Funkadelic: One Nation Under A Groove was developed by Brazen Hussy Productions, based in New York City and led by director Yvonne Smith. – From Wikipedia
This event is presented by Concatenation Convention. Learn more here.
There will be a showing of the documentary Sun Ra: A Joyful Noise on February 16 at 6 PM in the Carnegie Library auditorium.
The Sun Ra Arkestra is one of the earliest personifications of Afrofuturism in music. Sun RA used music and performance to deliver a social critique of American society to alter the perception of anyone who would listen.
About the documentary: Robert Mugge filmed jazz great Sun Ra on location in Philadelphia, Baltimore, and Washington, D.C. between 1978 and 1980. The resulting 60-minute film includes multiple public and private performances, poetry readings, a band rehearsal, interviews, and extensive improvisations. Transferred to HD from the original 16mm film and lovingly restored for the best possible viewing experience. – From IMDB
This event is presented by Concatenation Convention. Learn more here.
Join local historian Laurie Perkins on February 11 at 10 AM at the Carnegie Library for a presentation on using Census Records, Maps and Atlases to discover early African American settlers in Cambridge Township.
In case of inclement weather, this event will be rescheduled to February 18 at 10 AM.
The Jackson County Genealogical Society will present a follow-up workshop on February 25 at 10 AM at the Carnegie Library to provide hands-on help for accessing genealogy resources.
**Update: The February 25 session has been cancelled due to the presenter experiencing a power outage. We are working to reschedule this program.**
Join local historian Laurie Perkins on February 11 at 10 AM at the Carnegie Library for a presentation on using Census Records, Maps and Atlases to discover early African American settlers in Cambridge Township.
In case of inclement weather, this event will be rescheduled to February 18 at 10 AM.
The Jackson County Genealogical Society will present a follow-up workshop on February 25 at 10 AM at the Carnegie Library to provide hands-on help for accessing genealogy resources.
Join us for a discussion with artist Afua Richardson on the art and creative process of Black creators in the world of comic books, graphic novels and literary arts.
This event will take place live on Zoom. To join, click here.
About Afua:
Afua Richardson [Pronounced Uh-FOO-wah] is an American illustrator best known for her work on the Eisner winning series Black Panther World of Wakanda. Other works include Xmen 92, All-Star Batman, and HBO’s Lovecraft Country directed by Misha Green and Produced by JJ Abrams and Jordan Peele. In addition to being an illustrator, Afua is a singer/ Songwriter, Musician and voice actor, and mentor to many aspiring artists. She is the creator of her upcoming series Aquarius the Book of Mer.
Celebrate Black Super Heroes during Black History Month!
Logo Hunt: Stop by all 13 library branches during the month of February to collect all the superhero logos and check out displays with books, graphic novels, movies, etc. starring each superhero.
Showcase: Join us in the Carnegie Library auditorium on February 26 from 12-2 PM to learn about some of the Black super heroes you can find in books and movies as well as real life! You can check out the showcase and enjoy super hero crafts, snacks and a scavenger hunt. If you need to take a little break, we’ll also be showing super hero movies all day, like Teen Titans Go! to the Movies.
This virtual intergenerational panel will engage in discussion on how themes from the new Library of America Anthology, African American Poetry: 250 Years of Struggle & Song edited by Kevin Young, reflect lived experiences.
Dr. Pamela Ross McClain, a scholar of African American literature at the University of Michigan Flint, will open the dialogue on how African American poets have captured the cultural experiences of African Americans, and inspired a legacy of creative expression, resistance, uniqueness, and resilience.
This program will take place on Zoom and will be livestreamed on Facebook. To join on Zoom, click here.
For a list of suggested reading to celebrate Black History Month, click here.
Jackson District Library was one of 49 institutions in the United States to receive the Lift Every Voice grant, which is administered by the Library of America, and the National Endowment for the Humanities, in partnership with The Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture.
