In observance of Black History Month, Montgomery County Public Libraries pays tribute to African Americans and their culture with a variety of programs. Celebrations will feature storytellers, lectures, book discussions, performances, concerts and other events.
The African American Discussion Group of the Rockville Library presents a special display throughout February on Chimamanda Adiche, a Nigerian woman who is the youngest person ever to receive the British Orange Prize for Literature. Adiche earned the award for her “Half of a Yellow Sun.” The display will be located in the display case inside the main/lobby entrance off of the plaza.
Programs will be held according to the following schedule:
Saturday, February 2 --The Folk Music of African Americans, a musical history of the lives and music the African American people. Highlights include ancient songs of Africa, songs of freedom (Harriet Tubman), work songs, the blues and musical influences of this style on and by music of other cultures. Audience participation through singing, dance, rhythm and rhyme. Grades 3-12 and adults. 11a.m. Gaithersburg Library, 18330 Montgomery Village Ave. Call 240-773-9490.
Tuesday, February 5 -- African American Book Discussion. Join a library discussion of "Forbidden Fruit: Love Stories from the Underground Railroad" by Betty DeRamus. Registration required. 7-8 p.m. Fairland Library, 14910 Old Columbia Pike, Burtonsville. Call 240-773-9460.
Wednesday, February 6 –Book discussion by The Silver Spring African American Book Group of “Dear Senator” by Essie Mae Washington-Williams. The unacknowledged daughter of Strom Thurmond and one of his family's black maids reveals her complicated, yet devoted, relationship with a father who epitomized the staunchest Old Southern resistance to the struggle for racial equality. The book includes photographs of both of the senator’s families. 7 p.m. Silver Spring Library, 8901 Colesville Rd. Call 240-773-9420.
Thursday, February 7 –Book discussion by the Quince Orchard African American Book Group of Aminatti Forna’s “Ancestor Stones,” a sweeping portrayal of the lives of five Sierra Leonean women, told through interrelated short stories. 7 p.m. Quince Orchard Library, 15831 Quince Orchard Rd., Gaithersburg. Call 240-777-0200.
Saturday, February 9 -- African American Film Festival. Free showing of “Chisholm '72: Unbought and Unbossed.” 1 p.m. Fairland Library, 14910 Old Columbia Pike, Burtonsville. Call 240-773-9460.
Saturday, February 9 -- Master storyteller Diane Macklin shares “Sankofa,” tales celebrating America's African roots. Sponsored by Friends of the Library, Silver Spring Chapter. For ages 5 and up. 2 p.m. Silver Spring Library, 8901 Colesville Rd. Call 240-773-9420.
Saturday, February 9—Author discussion. David Matthews, author of “Ace of Spades,” reveals his struggles with identity as a young boy growing up with white skin being raised by an African-American father. Also sponsored as a Library Lovers Month event by Friends of the Library, Montgomery County, and Friends of the Library, Olney Chapter. 11 a.m. Olney Library, 3500 Olney-Laytonsville Rd. Call 240-773-9545.
Saturday, February 9 – Experiences of the Tuskegee Airmen by an original member, Retired Colonel Charles E. McGee, who will share his experiences as one of the first African American fighter pilots in World War II. Also a Library Lovers Month event sponsored by the Quince Orchard Library and the Friends of the Library, Quince Orchard Chapter. 2 p.m. Quince Orchard Library, 15831 Quince Orchard Rd., Gaithersburg. Call 240-777-0200.
Saturday, February 9 --Introduction to West African culture through games, stories, music and dance by Anansegromma. Native Ghanaians Kofi Dennis and Kwame Anash-Brew offer an engaging first-hand exploration of a typical Ghanaian village. All ages. 2 p.m. Long Branch Library, 8800 Garland Ave., Silver Spring. Call 240-777-0910.
Saturday, February 9 -- Author discussion. David Matthews, author of the memoir, "Ace of Spades,” and son of a white mother and a black father, discusses his struggles with identity while growing up in Baltimore’s inner-city. Sponsored by Friends of the Library, Montgomery County. 3 p.m. Silver Spring Library, 8901 Colesville Rd. Call 240-773-9420.
Tuesday, February 12 –Book discussion by the White Oak African American Book Group of “Mirror to America” by John Hope Franklin. The dean of African American history and culture, Franklin shares personal and professional reminiscences of his life and work, including his contribution to landmark Civil Rights legislation, his youth in turn-of-the-century Oklahoma and the philosophy of his success in academia despite the Jim Crow-era environment. 7 p.m. White Oak Library, 11701 New Hampshire Ave., Silver Spring. Call 240-773-9555.
Thursday, February 14 –Book discussion by the Wheaton African American Book Group on Lawrence Otis Graham’s “The Senator and the Socialite.” A true story of America's first black dynasty follows the family of Blanche Kelso Bruce, born a Mississippi slave in 1841, who amassed a real estate fortune, became the first black to serve a full Senate term and break racial barriers. 7 p.m. Wheaton Library, 11701 Georgia Avenue. Call 240-777-0678.
Saturday, February 16 -- Author visit. Michael Twitty, author of “Fighting Old Nep: The Foodways of Enslaved Afro-Marylanders 1634-1864,” will talk about foodways of enslaved African Americans. 2 p.m. Olney Library, 3500 Olney-Laytonsville Road. Call 240-773-9545.
Saturday, February 16 -- African American Film Festival. Free showing of "A Panther in Africa." 1 p.m. Fairland Library, 14910 Old Columbia Pike, Burtonsville. Call 240-773-9460. Saturday, February 16, 2008 -- The Harlem Renaissance Movement: Its Art and Politics. “Harlem Renaissance,” named by philosopher Alain Locke, is the explosion of arts and political thought in New York City between 1910 and 1929. A discussion presented by Priscilla R. Ramsey, associate professor of Afro-American Studies at Howard University. Also a Library Lovers Month program sponsored by the Quince Orchard Library, the Friends of the Library, Quince Orchard Chapter, and the Maryland Humanities Council. 2 p.m. Quince Orchard Community Library, 15831 Quince Orchard Rd., Gaithersburg. Call 240-777-0200.
Saturday, February 16 - Mother and daughter co-authors Celeste and Jennifer Norfleet will discuss their forthcoming book, "She Said, She Said." 2 p.m. White Oak Library, 11701 New Hampshire Ave., Silver Spring. Call 240-773-9555. Wednesday, February 20 -- Author discussion. Mary Kay Ricks will discuss her book, “Escape on the Pearl,” a history of the audacious attempt by 77 men and women to escape from slavery on a schooner docked at the Seventh Street wharf in Washington, D.C. Sponsored by the Friends of the Library, Chevy Chase Chapter. Adults. 7 p.m. Chevy Chase Library, 8005 Connecticut Ave. Call 240-773-9590.
Thursday, February 21 – Book discussion of “A Pride of African Tales,” by the African American Book Discussion Group of the Rockville Library. The book by Donna Washington features a collection of folk tales drawn from different parts of Africa 6 p.m. Rockville Library, 21 Maryland Ave. Call 240-777-0001.
Saturday, February 23—Musical presentation, “The Folk Music of African Americans,” by Devonna B. Rowe soprano. An evening of songs from the rich heritage of African Americans. 2 p.m. Twinbrook Library, 202 Meadow Hall Dr., Rockville. Call 240-777-0240.
Saturday, February 23 – Raíces de Borinquen, a Puerto Rican Folkloric Dance group from Washington D.C. presents “Puerto Rican African Dance and Music.” Participants will enjoy the splendor of dance and culture. Family program. 2 p.m. Rockville Library, 21 Maryland Ave. Call 240-777-0001.
Saturday, February 23 -- African American Film Festival. Free showing of "The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman." No registration required. 1 p.m. Fairland Library, 14910 Old Columbia Pike, Burtonsville. Call 240-773-9460. Sunday, February 24 – Civil rights double feature film showing highlights of critical turning points in the Civil Rights Movement. “Awakenings,” the first episode of the original “Eyes on the Prize” series aired on PBS. Its focus is two 1955 events that galvanized public opinion in favor of the rights of African Americans – the death of Mississippi teen Emmett Till and the Montgomery, AL bus boycott. “At the River I Stand” centers on the 1968 sanitation works’ strike in Memphis and the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Showing begins at 2 p.m. Wheaton Library, 11701 Georgia Ave. Call 240-777-0678.
Tuesday, February 26 -- Film Showing. The Silver Spring African American Film Circle will screen Stanley Nelson’s film “Soldiers without Swords,” revealing the history of the Black Press in America and the critical role African-American newspapers and journalists have played in struggles against discrimination and governmental censorship. Includes commentary by historians, journalists, and photojournalists on key events during the mid-19th century through the 20th century. 6:30 p.m. Silver Spring Library, 8901 Colesville Rd. Call 240-773-9420.
Tuesday, February 26, 2008 -- Book Discussion on "The Pursuit of Happyness" by Chris Gardner with Quincy Troupe. 11 a.m. Kensington Park Library, 4201 Knowles Ave. Call 240-773-9515. Wednesday, February 27 – Author visit. W. Ralph Eubanks will speak about his past and current work to adults and teens. 7 pm. Bethesda Library, 7400 Arlington Rd. Call 240-777-0970.
For a complete schedule of special events, visit www.montgomerycountymd.gov/library.
Unless otherwise noted, the programs are sponsored by either Montgomery County Public Libraries, the Multicultural Library Advisory Committee, or Friends of the Library, Montgomery County.
To request ADA accommodations, contact the library hosting the program at least five work days in advance.
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