Month-Long Cultural Programming Includes Gail Lumet Buckley, The New Cookers, Brooklyn Art Song Society
Original Manuscript of Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry On Display with Original Artwork from Kadir Nelson at Central Library
BROOKLYN, NY—Brooklyn Public Library (BPL) will welcome a diverse array of visual artists, novelists, musicians, dancers and scholars to its 60 branches in celebration of Black History Month in February, BPL leadership announced today.
The month’s activities will be headlined by Nobel Prize-winning novelist Toni Morrison, who will read excerpts from her most recent novel God Help the Child at Congregation Beth Elohim on February 2.
“We are honored to welcome the legendary Toni Morrison to Brooklyn in celebration of Black History Month, and proud to honor the African American community’s innumerable contributions to literature, the arts and academia in Brooklyn and beyond,” said Linda E. Johnson, Brooklyn Public Library’s president & CEO.
Throughout February, BPL will commemorate the fortieth anniversary of Mildred D. Taylor’s Roll of Thunder Hear My Cry, a searing work of young adult fiction revered for its unflinching examination of racism and violence in the Depression-era South, by showcasing Taylor’s original manuscript along with other artifacts in Central Library’s Youth Wing. The exhibit will be curated by Leonard S. Marcus. Illustrator Kadir Nelson will debut pieces created for the book’s anniversary alongside the manuscript.
Below please find a featured list of Black History Month activities. A complete list is available on the Brooklyn Public Library website.
Black History Month Programming Calendar: Brooklyn Public Library
Display: Roll of Thunder, Hear my Cry
Ongoing, Central Library Youth Wing
BPL will showcase the original manuscript of Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry alongside illustrator Kadir Nelson’s works commemorating the book’s anniversary.
Conversation: Toni Morrison, God Help the Child
February 2, 7:30pm, Congregation Beth Elohim—Sold out
Nobel Prize-winning novelist Toni Morrison will read excerpts from her new novel God Help the Child and participate in a conversation with Princeton Professor Claudia Brodsky. Q&A will follow.
Conversation: Gail Lumet Buckley
February 3, 5:00pm, Central Library Dweck Center
Buckley, daughter of Lena Horne and author of The Black Calhouns: From Civil War to Civil Rights with One African American Family, details the experiences of an extraordinary African American family who witnessed and participated in the most crucial events of the 19th and 20th centuries. A conversation with Pulitzer Prize-winning culture critic Margo Jefferson.
Music: The New Cookers
February 4, 7:30pm, Central Library Dweck Center
This Brooklyn-based ensemble excels at hard-bop jazz with a subtle hip-hop influence. Melding old-school bebop with contemporary rhythms, the sextet forges a bold, distinctive sound that pays tribute to their borough’s rich and diverse musical heritage.
Music: Sheneatha, Shake it Baby, Shake it!
February 6, 1:00pm, Central Library Dweck Center
Vocalist Sheneatha will lead audience members on a sing-and-dance-along through various eras and genres. Interactive activities and fun facts will expose children to the songs and artists their parents love, with lyrics adapted for youngsters.
Kahn Humanities Lecture: Eric Foner on the Underground Railroad
February 7, 12:30pm, Central Library Dweck Center
Few scholars have influenced our understanding of American history as profoundly as Eric Foner. He will tell the dramatic story of fugitive slaves and the antislavery activists who defied the law to help them reach freedom.
Conversation: Gotham: Darryl Pinckney’s Black Deutschland
February 13, 4:00pm, Central Library Dweck Center
Gotham host Rob Spillman discusses the new novel by Pinckney, a longtime contributor to The New York Review of Books and the author of a previous novel, High Cotton, and two works of nonfiction, Blackballed: The Black Vote and US Democracy and Out There: Mavericks of Black Literature.
Music: Classical Interludes: Brooklyn Art Song Society and the Classical Theatre of Harlem Celebrate Shakespeare
February 14, 4:00pm, Central Library Dweck Center
BASS celebrates the Bard with performances of songs by composers who were inspired by his work, including Hector Berlioz, Ernest Chausson, Gerald Finzi, Francis Poulenc, Roger Quilter, Franz Schubert, Richard Strauss, and Peter Warlock. Actors from the Classical Theatre of Harlem perform texts and scenes for Shakespeare’s plays.
Dance: Dance of the African Diaspora
February 20, 1:00pm, Central Library Dweck Center
Children explore and celebrate the dances of the African diaspora. Participants will dance their way through West Africa to the Caribbean and Latin America before finally touching down in the United States. Part dance performance, part dance instruction, 100% excitement!
Reading: It Starts with Just a Seed
February 27, 1:00pm, Central Library Dweck Center
Award-winning children’s book author and illustrator Bryan Collier will read from his recent works, including Trombone Shorty, Dave the Potter, Rosa and Knock Knock.
Select Branch Events
For Kids: Black History Month Bedtime Stories
February 4, 6:15pm, Washington Irving Library
Celebrating Black History Month with inspiring stories of African American heroes.
For Kids: What is Your Dream? A Black History Month Arts & Crafts Celebration
February 17, 4:00pm, Sheepshead Bay Library
Use your artistic and creative talent to celebrate Black History Month in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
For Teens: Black History Jeopardy
February 17, 5:15pm, Cypress Hills Library
Come learn and play a fun game about African American history. Meet new friends, win prizes, Have fun and learn
For Kids: African-American Heritage Hollywood Squares
February 19, 2:00pm, Coney Island Library
Just For Fun: Motown Karaoke
February 25, 5:30pm, New Utrecht Library
Like to sing? Do you want to show your talents or just have fun? Join us for an evening of Motown hits.
For Kids: Kids Create; Celebrate Harlem Renaissance Painters
February 29, 4:00pm, East Flatbush Library
Celebrate the achievements of black artists in honor of Black History Month, and create your own painting!
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About Brooklyn Public Library
Brooklyn Public Library (BPL) is an independent library system for the 2.5 million residents of Brooklyn. It is the fifth largest library system in the United States with 60 neighborhood libraries located throughout the borough. BPL offers free programs and services for all ages and stages of life, including a large selection of books in more than 30 languages, author talks, literacy programs and public computers. BPL’s eResources, such as eBooks and eVideos, catalog information and free homework help, are available to customers of all ages 24 hours a day at our website: www.bklynlibrary.org.