BPL Hosting 19 programs to Close Out 2019 Black History Month

The Birmingham Public Library has 19 programs at 14 locations across the city between February 22 and February 28 to close out its 2019 celebration of Black History Month.

Among the events: A Black Panther party on February 22 and a pianist concert on February 24 at the Central Library, free movie screenings at various libraries, and a Springville Road Library tribute to George Crum, an African American inventor famous for making the potato chip.

Below is a listing of many of the BPL programs. You can find out more information about these programs by clicking on the BPL calendar.

Afterschool Black Panther Party and Movie, Friday, February 22, 3:30 p.m., Central Library – Join us in the Youth Game Zone as we make Black Panther masks and watch a showing of the Black Panther movie about an African American superhero.

Screening of Kanopy Documentary Goin' to Chicago, Friday, February 22, 10:00 a.m., Springville Road Library – Join us for this documentary about the migration of African Americans from the rural South to cities in the North and West during and after World War II, told through the personal stories of  group of Chicagoans born in the Mississippi Delta.

Black Migrations: Spoken Word, Friday, February 22, 3:30 p.m., Inglenook Library – Celebrate the 2019 Black History Month theme "Black Migrations" by reciting a poem written by your favorite African American author.

Smithfield Presents: Selma, Friday, February 22, 3:30 p.m., Smithfield Library – Join us for a showing of the award-winning film about the civil rights movement in Selma.

Freedom: The Underground Railroad Game, Saturday, February 23, 2:00-5:00 p.m., Eastwood Library – Join us in playing Freedom: The Underground Railroad board game. By raising support for the cause and moving slaves to freedom in Canada, the minds of Americans can be changed and the institution of slavery can be brought down. Eastwood Library is BPL's first location that checks out board games to patrons.

Presentation and Lecture on Jacob Lawrence's The Migration Series, Saturday, February 23, 2:30 p.m., Five Points West Library –Professor and artist Steven Walker of Lawson State Community College presents a lecture to close out Five Points West Library's month-long  tribute to the Great Migration of blacks from the South in search of a better life in the North, Midwest, and West.

Scavenger Hunt: Famous Alabamians, Avondale, North Avondale, and Eastwood Libraries, through Saturday, February 23 – Find photographs of Alabamians hidden throughout the library and match each champion to the statement that best describes him or her.

Birmingham Public Library Presents Dr. Anthony Pattin, Sunday, February 24, 3:00 p.m., Central Library's Arrington Auditorium – Dr. Anthony Pattin will perform music by African American composers on piano in celebration of Black History Month.

Sunday Matinee Hidden Figures, 2:00 p.m., Five Points West Library – Free showing of the movie about three black women who played a pivotal role in space exploration at NASA in the 1960s.

Poetry + Beats = Unique Rhythms and Sounds, Central Library Youth Department, Monday, February 25 and Wednesday, February 27, 3:30 p.m. – The teen music lab is opening its mics to aspiring artists of spoken word poetry, music, and rap. Come create and record your own record.

Escape Room Game, Tuesday, February 26, 3:30 p.m., Titusville Library – Afterschool children embark on a fun scavenger hunt, solving puzzles and decoding interesting facts that honor the achievements of black Americans.

African American Arts and Crafts, Tuesday, February 26, 3:30 p.m., Wylam Library – Create and design your own African-inspired bracelet.

Made in Africa: Make It Your Own, Wednesday, February 27, 3:30 p.m., Central Library, Create205 Learning Lab – With the use of various beads, shells, and other materials, patrons will create jewelry paying homage to African culture. For details, click here.

African American Inventors: George Crum, Wednesday, February 27, 4:00 p.m., Springville Road Library – Join us as we sample George Crum's most popular invention, the potato chip. Sample all kinds of chips as we discuss the story of how this snack was invented.