Alongside being the last full month of winter, February marks the start of a month-long commemoration of Black History. San Mateo County Libraries builds a culture where diversity, equity and inclusion infuse all aspects of our collections and programming. Join us as we celebrate the history, culture and achievements of our Black and African American communities with a wonderful slate of programs all throughout the month!
Meet Kai Harris, Author of What the Fireflies Knew
San Mateo County Libraries welcomes Kai Harris, opens a new window for a discussion on her novel, What the Fireflies Knew. The book explores black girlhood from the perspective of the almost 11-year-old narrator, KB. From the discovery of her father's body to reading Anne of Green Gables, the book follows the narrator through the ups and downs of life. When discussing her love of language and the awkwardness of developing an advanced vocabulary when reading Anne of Green Gables, KB makes the astute observation that "even if Anne and me don't look the same, we can still talk the same way and be alike in other ways." It's the simplicity and beauty of observations like this that make you wonder why prejudice and structural inequalities exist in the first place.
Virtual Author Event with Kai Harris on Wednesday, February 8 at 6:30 PM
Are You Ready to Learn With Andre Thierry
San Mate County Libraries welcomes Andre Thierry for some live Accordion Soul Music. Andre, a gifted composer and accordion virtuoso, created a music program for children. Andre's compositions explore the Kreole Culture and Zydeco Music of Southwest Louisiana. Andre's music blends African and Native American Blues with Afro-Caribbean Music.
Tuesday, February 7, 3:30 PM at Half Moon Bay
Thursday, February 9, 3:00 PM at East Palo Alto Library
Friday, February 10, 3:30 PM at Atherton Library
Wednesday, February 15, 4:00 PM at Millbrae
Thursday, February 16, 3:30 PM at Woodside
Celebrating Nguzo Saba All Year Long
We also invited Thandiwe Jennifer Lyons for her Celebrating Nguzo Saba All Year Long, Black History Month Craft Program. We will discuss the meaning and history of the Nguzo Saba, the celebration of Kwanzaa, which contains 7 principles that should be practiced all year long. Participants will create a paper instrument and dance to African music!
Friday, February 3, at 3:30 PM at East Palo Alto
Wednesday, February 8, at 3:30 PM at Foster City Library
Thursday, February 9, 3:30 PM at Portola Valley Library
Wednesday, February 15, 3:00 PM at Atherton (Registration required.)
Thursday, February 16, 3:30 PM at Half Moon Bay
Friday, February 17, 3:30 PM at Millbrae
Paint Like Sophia Oshodin
Use your creativity to make a painting at our Paint Like Sophia Oshodin event. Christie from Christie’s Creative Cupboard will provide the 8 x 10 canvas, acrylic paints, and brushes, you bring the creativity. Christie will bring examples of the artist’s work to inspire you as well as encourage and provide tips while you paint. Sign up for a relaxing artists’ salon with other adults in your community. Seating is limited. For ages 18 and up.
Monday, February 6, at 5:30 PM at San Carlos
Tuesday, February 21, at 10:30 AM at Foster City
Paint Like Emma Amos
Use your creativity to make a painting at our Paint Like Emma Amos, opens a new window event. Christie's Creative Cupboard is back with her Paint Like Programs. In celebration of Black History Month, we'll be exploring the work of artist Emma Amos. Canvas, acrylics and brushes are provided. You bring your creativity!
This program is for adults ages 18+. Registration is required to participate. Please arrive a few minutes early as the program starts promptly at 5:30 PM.
Tuesday, February 7, 5:15 PM at East Palo Alto Library
Paint Like Alma W. Thomas
Use your creativity to make a painting at our Paint Like Alma W. Thomas, opens a new window event. Christie from Christie’s Creative Cupboard will provide the 8 x 10 canvas, acrylic paints, and brushes, you bring the creativity. Christie will bring examples of the artist’s work to inspire you as well as encourage and provide tips while you paint. Sign up for a relaxing artists’ salon with other adults in your community.
Thursday, February 16, 11:30 AM at North Fair Oaks
Thursday, March 23, 5:30 PM at Brisbane
Virtual Poetry Night Featuring Tureeda Mikell: Heart to Heart
This month, Belmont Poet Laureate curates an evening of poetry to find love in our shared humanity, inviting you to the theme of ‘Heart to Heart’, a conversation in poetry about love, kindness, healing, health, and even Black History Month. Let us get together for Belmont Poetry Night to celebrate everything that February is about.
Featuring poet and artist, Tureeda Mikell. Hosted by Belmont Poet Laureate, Monica Korde.
Tuesday, February 21, at 7:00 PM
Black Literature from the 1920s to the Present
In this multimedia presentation, award-winning publisher, humanities scholar and producer Heather Buchanan will discuss the significant contributions of Black poets and writers across two centuries. Works to be explored range from the Harlem Renaissance to the Civil Rights Movement and Black Arts Movement to contemporary literature. Buchanan will also talk about the Black Fire This Time anthologies (2022-2024) that showcase the greatest Black works in the past 60 years as well as her upcoming reissue of God’s Trombones: Seven Negro Sermons in Verse nearly 100 years later. Buchanan is the publisher of the Willow Books imprint, which publishes many of the nation’s top poets and writers of color.
Paint Like Loïs Mailou Jones
Use your creativity to make a painting at our Paint Like Loïs Mailou Jones, opens a new window event. Christie from Christie’s Creative Cupboard will provide the 8 x 10 canvas, acrylic paints, and brushes, you bring the creativity. Christie will bring examples of the artist’s work to inspire you as well as encourage and provide tips while you paint. Sign up for a relaxing artists’ salon with other adults in your community. Seating is limited. For ages 18 and up.
Wednesday, February 22, 5:30 PM at Millbrae
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