Library Celebrates Black History Month

Library Celebrates Black History Month

All are invited to participate in Union County Public Library's Black History Month events and activities. The month-long celebration will feature virtual programming, take-home crafts, and a literary magazine. The theme for this year is The Black Family: Representation, Identity, and Diversity.

"Although we are currently living through a pandemic, we worked hard to offer programs and activities that focus on the contributions and celebrate the lives of African Americans," said Gypsy Houston, Chair of the Black History Month Committee.

Adults/Teen Events

• Saturday, Feb. 6 at 11:00 a.m. -- Civic Saturday
  Democracy works when enough individuals believe democracy works. Join us virtually on Zoom as we reflect, fortify, and put this belief into practice as a community. We'll hear poetry, readings of civic texts, song, share thoughts and ideas, and hear a "civic sermon." Click here to register in advance for Civic Saturday.
• Wednesday, Feb. 10 at 6:00 p.m. -- In the Kitchen with Cooperative Extension
  Explore the history of African American Extension agents in North Carolina, and learn how to put a healthy twist on a family favorite with Cooperative Extension's Marcus McFarland during this virtual event. Click here to register in advance for In the Kitchen with Cooperative Extension.
• Monday, Feb. 15 at 7:00 p.m. -- Finding Your Family: The Black Family in the Census, Death Certificates, and more
  Genealogy and Local History Librarian, Gypsy Houston, aka Genealogy Gypsy, will show you how to find genealogical information in historical census records, vital records, and more during this virtual event. Click here to register in advance for Finding Your Family: The Black Family in the Census, Death Certificates, and more.
• Thursday, Feb. 25 at 7:00 p.m. -- Black Sitcom Trivia Night
  How well do you know Black Family sitcoms? Grab your family and challenge your knowledge of well-known TV shows during this virtual event. Click here to register in advance for Black Sitcom Trivia Night.
• Friday, Feb. 26 at 7:00 p.m. -- Urban Lit Book Club
  Celebrate Black History Month by reading Black Lotus by K'wan, a street-lit thriller, headlining a professional assassin and a shady detective in the heart of New York City. Participants are encouraged to read the book in advance. During this virtual event, we’ll have a lively discussion.
  
  The book is available electronically through Libby and Hoopla. Visit our Digital and Streaming Content page to access it today. Click here to register for the book club in advance.

Back to top

Kids Events

All events are virtual and can be accessed here.

• Tuesday, Feb. 9 at 1:00 p.m. -- Video Short Bass Reeves: The Greatest Lawman You Never Heard Of
  Return to those thrilling days of yesteryear as we learn about the real-life Lone Ranger, and the greatest lawman in the wild west, Bass Reeves.
• Wednesday, Feb. 17 at 10:00 a.m. -- We Read Wednesday featuring the book Bedtime Bonnet by Nancy Redd
• Thursday, Feb. 18 at 10:00 a.m. -- Kids Create! Shapes needed to draw a traffic signal
  Kids learn to identify shapes needed to draw a traffic signal in this virtual event.
• Wednesday, Feb. 24 at 10:00 a.m. -- We Read Wednesday featuring That is My Dream by Langston Hughes
• Thursday, Feb. 25 at 10:00 a.m. -- Kids Create! Family Portrait Collage

Back to top

Activities

Stop by any Union County Public Library location during the month of February and pick up a free take-home kit to make an age-appropriate bookmark.

Movement Online Literary Magazine

Thank you to all writers, artists, and poets who submitted their work to be a part of Movement, our new Black History Month literary magazine. Each contributor to the magazine had a unique interpretation of the 2021 theme, The Black Family. View the digital Movement magazine here. The magazine will be available in print at each library location at a later date.

More Information

Click here to learn more about the history of Black History Month and to see the resources the library has to offer.

For additional information on any Black History month events, email Gypsy Houston or call 704-283-8184 ext.5236.

Back to top