Join San Mateo County Libraries this February as we celebrate Black History Month. This year, the national theme is African Americans and the Arts.
In line with this theme, we're celebrating the past and present achievements of our Black and African American communities. We invite you to join us for a wonderful slate of Black History Month programs for all ages.
Events for Youth and Teens
Throughout the month of February, youth and teens will be treated to programs that commemorate the accomplishments of Black artists who used their art as a platform to fight for racial and social justice.
Power Up Afternoons: Learning about Gee's Bend Quilts
Youth can create paper quilts inspired by the vibrant textile arts of the Quilters of Gee’s Bend. This a fun and simple craft using card stock to emulate a Gee's Bend Quilt.
Power Up Afternoons: Alma's Art Collage
Youth will engage their imagination to create a collage influenced by the art of Alma Thomas, an African American artist who dedicated her life to teaching and creating. This activity will be accompanied by a read-aloud of Alma's Art, by Roda Ahmed.
Events for Adults
Celebrating Black Achievement: A Moderated Discussion
Friday, February 23, 2:00 - 3:30 PM | Virtual
As part of our Black History Month programming, we are celebrating the lives and achievements of local members of our Black and African American communities. In addition to their success stories, panelists will also share personal experiences facing bias, discrimination and adversity, as well as what it means to be Black in San Mateo County and the Bay Area as a whole.
Panelists include:
- Lakiba Pittman, opens a new window, Artist and Lecturer in the Menlo College Department of Arts & Sciences, opens a new window
- Anthony Thomas, Manager of Community Services at the Peninsula Conflict Resolution Center, opens a new window
- Khalid White, opens a new window, CEO and Owner of Blkmpwr, opens a new window (Black Empower), LLC.
Black History with Dr. Ula Y. Taylor
Join us as we welcome Dr. Ula Y. Taylor for an author talk on her book, The Promise of Patriarchy: Women and the Nation of Islam.
Dr. Taylor will discuss how joining NOI was an act of self-preservation and an expression of Black empowerment, highlighting how women of varying classes negotiated their daily lives in the patriarchal organization from 1930 to 1975.
Cultivating Compassion Workshop with Lakiba Pittman
Join San Mateo County Libraries as we welcome Lakiba Pittman for a Cultivating Compassion Workshop. During the workshop, attendees will develop skills to cultivate and practice mindful self-compassion. Mindful self-compassion is linked to effective leadership, enhanced communication skills, and the improvement of personal self-care practices.
A Rising Tide: A Look at Homelessness in Alameda County, A Film by Cheryl Fabio
Join us for a documentary screening of A Rising Tide: A Look at Homelessness in Alameda County. In this film, local filmmaker Cheryl Fabio captures the adversity homeless families face in Oakland and the plight of service providers on the frontlines of the housing crisis.
Join in on the Black History Month festivities with these beautiful stories that are written by Black authors or feature Black characters.
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