We will be offering events that honor the heritage, contributions and achievements of the African American community. This national celebration initiated by Dr. Carter G. Woodson, also known as the father of Black History, has its roots in a weeklong observation in 1926. This year although we are not able to offer the events in person, we invite you to participate in a wide variety of events accessible through Zoom. Preregister and join us for the live events, or enjoy the recordings on our digital events page. Sponsored by the Friends of the Palm Beach County Library System.
To learn more about Dr. Carter G. Woodson and the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH), visit https://asalh.org/about-us/our-history/.
Black Excellence in Cooking
Fri, Feb 05, 4:00 pm (Ends at 4:45 pm )
Make no-bake snowballs, a sweet treat, using a few ingredients with a recipe from African American cookbook author Patty Pinner, and learn about Florida-born Edouardo Jordan, the first Black chef to win a James Beard award in 2017 for Best New Restaurant. Ages 8-12.
Celebrate Black History Month: Bessie Coleman - The Bronze Aviatrix
Sat, Feb 06, 2:30 pm (Ends at 3:30 pm )
Storyteller, and Chautauqua scholar, Ilene Evans offers a historical depiction of Bessie Coleman a pioneer of aviation
Homeschool Meetup: African American History Month
Mon, Feb 08, 1:00 pm (Ends at 1:30 pm )
To celebrate this month we will read “Two Friends" by Dean Robbins. Two friends, Susan B. Anthony and Frederick Douglass, get together for tea and conversation. They recount their similar stories fighting to win rights for women and African Americans. We'll also learn more about the Library of Congress collection in his name. Grades K-6.
Trivia: Black History Month
Tue, Feb 09, 6:30 pm (Ends at 7:30 pm )
Think you know everything about…Black History Month? Join us and test your knowledge in a few rounds of trivia fun, virtually! Participants will be sent a link and instructions before the game. Winner gets library swag!
Celebrate Black History Month: The 1619 Project by the New York Times Magazine
Wed, Feb 10, 2:00 pm (Ends at 2:00 pm )
Ronald Glass will lead a discussion of the articles, The Wealth Gap by Trymaine Lee, Traffic by Kevin M. Kruse, The Barbaric History of Sugar in America by Khalil Gibran Muhammad, and how information in these articles have impacted Palm Beach County. Articles can be accessed at http://pulitzercenter.org/1619
Black Excellence in Books
Fri, Feb 12, 4:00 pm (Ends at 4:45 pm )
See how easy it is to make a book or zine to tell your story or a story with a hero you can look up to, as we chat about Jerry Craft, author of New Kid, a Sunshine State award-winning comic, and Marley Dias, who started her super successful 1000 Black Girl Books Initiative for more diverse stories when she was in elementary school. Ages 8-12.
Celebrate Black History Month: Spiritual Songs, the Musical Legacy of the Negro Spiritual
Sat, Feb 13, 2:00 pm (Ends at 2:45 pm )
Using the art of storytelling and music, this program covers the development of the Negro Spiritual and its impact on all musical genres. Dr. Naima Johnston-Bush will perform and discuss the song’s significance as a historical American art.
POV Film Screening: “Whose Streets?”
Tue, Feb 16, 6:00 pm (Ends at 7:30 pm )
Damon Davis and Sabaah Folayan’s acclaimed documentary is an unflinching look at how the killing of 18-year-old Michael Brown inspired a community to fight back and sparked a global movement. Return for a discussion of the film on 2/27, 2PM. This event is a collaboration with POV, the award-winning independent non-fiction film series on PBS. (90 min.) www.pbs.org/pov
Teen Trivia: Blackout
Tue, Feb 16, 6:30 pm (Ends at 7:30 pm )
Compete for prizes with your knowledge of Wakanda, Birmingham, and beyond. Fun trivia about Black history, pop stars, places and icons: from athletes and actors, to superheroes and scientists. Ages 12 & up.
Living in Color
Wed, Feb 17, 10:00 am (Ends at 10:30 am )
Celebrating black stories and the authors that bring them to life. Ages 4 & up.
Book Discussion: "Passing" by Nella Larsen
Wed, Feb 17, 2:00 pm (Ends at 3:00 pm )
A book described as "a powerful, thrilling, and tragic tale about the fluidity of racial identity that continues to resonate today."
Strolling Back in Time
Wed, Feb 17, 3:30 pm (Ends at 4:00 pm )
We’ll take a look at some pictures and facts about famous African Americans, while listening to some classic Motown Music. Print the attachment below for some fun activity sheets to color. Ages 6 & up.
Book Discussion: A Kind of Freedom by Margaret Wilkerson Sexton
Thu, Feb 18, 1:30 pm (Ends at 2:30 pm )
Debut novelist Sexton delivers a multigenerational story based in New Orleans. Join in a lively discussion of this 2017 National Book Award contender. Print, e-book and audio copies available through the library.
Book Discussion: The Known World
Fri, Feb 19, 2:00 pm (Ends at 3:00 pm )
To celebrate Black History Month, read and discuss The Known World by Edward P. Jones. Pick up a copy of the book at the West Boca Branch or your local library. Also, eBooks and eAudio are available on Cloud Library.
Black Excellence in Art
Fri, Feb 19, 4:00 pm (Ends at 4:45 pm )
Get your paints ready to make a colorful masterpiece while we chat about artist Alma Thomas, known for her bright joyful art, and discover the bright geometric patterns of Faith Ringgold, artist and picture book author and illustrator. Ages 8-12.
Celebrate Black History Month: Meet Artist Kianga Jinaki and Create an African Textile Portrait
Sat, Feb 20, 2:30 pm (Ends at 3:30 pm )
Kianga Jinaki will share her experience as an artist and demonstrates how to create a beautiful African textile portrait. Pre-register on the library's digital activities page to receive the Zoom meeting link and passcode. Pick up materials (available 2/1 through 2/19) at the Main Library’s information desk. No sewing required. While Supplies Last.
Celebrate Black History Month: Poetry Reading of Well-Known African American Poets
Tue, Feb 23, 2:00 pm (Ends at 3:00 pm )
Celebrate the poems of Langston Hughes, Alice Walker, Maya Angelou and Nikki Giovanni in different languages accompanied with background music.
Informed & Engaged Discussion: “Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents,” by Isabel Wilkerson
Wed, Feb 24, 6:30 pm (Ends at 8:00 pm )
This Pulitzer Prize-winning author’s latest book examines the unspoken caste system that has shaped America and shows how our lives today are still defined by a hierarchy of human divisions. Hosted in partnership with the PBC Criminal Justice Commission and Converge & Associates. Copies of the book available in the library catalog. (60 min.)
African American Genealogy: Leaving No Stone Unturned
Thu, Feb 25, 4:00 pm (Ends at 5:00 pm )
Dr. Deborah Abbot will teach basic genealogy tools needed to successfully begin to trace family histories. The importance of completing genealogy forms, i.e. pedigree charts, gathering home sources, recording oral histories, researching census records, vital records and staying organized will be emphasized. Using libraries and archives along with internet databases will be explored. Attendees will learn tips and strategies on how to move their family research from the present back to slavery, as well as how to find the records that will make this process successful.
Black Excellence in Science
Fri, Feb 26, 4:00 pm (Ends at 4:45 pm )
Make models of DNA and RNA with candy and learn about science as we chat about Dr. Kizzmekia Corbett, immunologist and lead researcher who made the COVID-19 vaccine possible, and learn about an earlier African American pioneer, Dr. Mae Jemison, an engineer and medical doctor who became the first black woman to travel into space! Ages 8-12.
POV Film Discussion: “Whose Streets?”
Sat, Feb 27, 2:30 pm (Ends at 3:30 pm )
Dr. Tameka Hobbs, Associate Provost and Associate Professor of History for Florida Memorial University, leads a discussion on Damon Davis and Sabaah Folayan’s acclaimed documentary which examines the uprising in Ferguson, Missouri following the killing of 18-year-old Michael Brown. This event is a collaboration with POV, the award-winning independent non-fiction film series on PBS. www.pbs.org/pov
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Welcome to the February Issue of 
The Palm Beach County Library System is an official Passport Acceptance Facility for the U.S. Department of State. The Palm Beach County Main Library offers routine and expedited processing options. Processing times vary.
When unarmed teenager Michael Brown is killed by police and left lying in the street for hours, it marks a breaking point for the residents of the St. Louis area and beyond. "Whose Streets?," Damon Davis and Sabaah Folayan's acclaimed documentary is an unflinching look at the Ferguson, Missouri uprising that sparked a global movement. As the National Guard rolls in, a new generation mounts a powerful battle cry not just for their civil rights, but for the right to live. These events are a collaboration with POV, the award-winning independent nonfiction film series on PBS. 
Two thought provoking and timely books will be discussed in February as part of the PBCLS Informed & Engaged series. Borrow a copy and attend virtually!
