2018 Black History Month at the Birmingham Public Library

The Birmingham Public Library (BPL) is hosting over 80 programs in celebrating Black History Month in February, including musicals, soul food cooking demos, African American dance, genealogy, and movies.

On February 24, Pratt City Branch Library’s Crown & Tea program is combining the cherished African American custom of wearing church hats with a formal tea. Learn the art of African dance from BPL’s Candice Hardy at the Five Points West and Pratt City Libraries.

At Wylam, Pratt City and Titusville Libraries, come learn how to make tasty healthy soul dishes more nutritious. Celebrate African American music at Central, Powderly, West End, and East Lake Libraries. You can view the full list of Black History Month and other programs and services at BPL’s 19 libraries by visiting the BPL's calendar of events. (Downloadable calendar)

Here is a sample of select 2018 Black History Month programs being held in February:

Crown & Tea, Saturday, February 24, 2:00-3:30 p.m., Pratt City Branch LibraryDuring and after slavery, black women took off their maid and servant outfits and wore decorated hats to church. Join this cherished African American custom. Adorn your favorite church hat and join us for tea as we see who has the best “hattitude.”

Cooking Demos
Chef Anna Soul Food Presentation, Wednesday, February 7, 11:00 a.m., Wylam Branch LibraryA dietitian will discuss ways to make soul food more nutritious. Samples of dishes will be provided.

Soul Feast with James Washington, Friday, February 9, 11:00 a.m., Pratt City Branch Library Chef James Washington will demonstrate some tasty soul food dishes that will leave your mouth watering. Bring your appetite and take notes on how to add a little flair to your traditional soul food recipes.

A Taste of Black History with Chef E, Saturday, February 24, 11:00 a.m., Titusville Branch Library
Join Chef E for a healthy cooking demonstration. This program is free and limited to 25 adults. Call 205-322-1140 to register.

African Dance
Heritage Corner with Ms. Candice, Saturday, February 24, 3:00-5:00 p.m., Five Points West Regional Branch Library
Join us for an afternoon of cultural enrichment as we explore the art and history of African dance and the history of “stepping.”

Heritage Corner with Ms. Candice, Tuesday, February 20, 11:00 a.m., Pratt City Branch Library
Ms. Candice Hardy will present an African dance performance.

Musical Performances
Alabama School of Fine Arts (ASFA) Music Department Salutes African American History Month, Tuesday, February 20, 4:00-5:00 p.m., Central Library
Concert by the Music Department of ASFA, under the leadership of Kim Strickland, Department Chair.

Our Musical Journey Through Faith, Thursday, February 22, 3:00 p.m., West End Branch Library
Broadway singer extraordinaire Royce Brown presents a medley of historical African American songs of faith and the struggles of the civil rights movement.

East Ensley Presents Katrina Pigler, Thursday, February 22, 5:00-6:00 p.m., East Ensley Branch Library
Join us for an inspirational concert featuring Katrina Pigler singing a variety of jazz and gospel songs.

Annual Black History Musical and Program, Tuesday, February 27, 5:30 p.m., Powderly Branch Library
Call the branch for more details.

Writing Contests and Spoken Word
Share Your Dream, February 1-28, East Lake Branch Library
Children and adults are invited to share their dream in writing at the East Lake Library. Entries will be added to the library’s Martin Luther King display.

“African Americans in Times of War Spoken War,” Friday February 23, 3:30 p.m., Inglenook Branch Library
Recite a poem acknowledging the National Black History Month theme “African Americans in Times of War Spoken War” or recite a poem on African American heroes and events. Register in advance at 205-849-8739.

African American Poetry Blast! For Adults, Teens and Tweens, Monday, February 5 at 4:00 p.m., North Birmingham Regional Library
Come read original or published African American pieces. No registration required.

The Race Card (all ages), February 1-28, Pratt City Branch Library
Discussions about race can often be difficult and enlightening. Express your thoughts on race into one sentence using only six words. Your six-word sentence will be on display on the Race Card Wall.

Genealogy
Birmingham African-American Genealogy Group Black Heritage Fair. Theme: "African Americans in Times of War," Saturday, February 3, 11:00 a.m.-3:30 p.m., Central Library
Enjoy fun, art, dance, fellowship, family history, speakers, door prizes, educational displays, and refreshments. For more information, visit www.baagginc.org.

Finding Your Roots Documentary Series, February 12-14, 4:00 p.m., Five Points West Regional Branch LibraryEducator Henry Louis Gates Jr. has hosted several PBS series that examine U.S. history. In Finding Your Roots, the Harvard professor continues his quest to "get into the DNA of American culture." In each episode, celebrities view ancestral histories, sometimes learn of connections to famous/infamous people, discover secrets, and share the emotional experience with viewers.

Black History Month Research – Using BPL Databases to Connect to Our Past, Tuesday, February 20, 2:15-3:15 p.m., Central Library
Attendees will learn how to combine historical and genealogical research using BPL’s databases, African American History Online and Ancestry Library Edition.

The Beyond Kin Project: Making the Slave Connection, Sunday, February 25, 2:30 p.m., Central Library
Project co-founders Donna Cox Baker and Frazine K. Taylor will teach a software method and research techniques for handling the unique complexities of helping African Americans research their slave connections using common genealogy tools.