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Madison Public Library Celebrates Black History Month

February 5, 2016

Events and displays to honor the contributions of African Americans, historic and present

madison-public-library-logoFrom the revolutionary Black Panthers to a local author book launch with a theme of love on Valentine’s Day, Black history will be celebrated throughout the month of February at Madison Public Library. Eleven programs in February and March will highlight various contributions – past and present – of Black poets, storytellers, activists, politicians, authors, musicians, storytellers and more.
Programs include:

Black History Month Kickoff with Fabu

Fri, 02/05/2016 – 6:30pm

Goodman South Madison Library

Please join Goodman South Madison Library and Fabu as we celebrate our greatest civil rights leaders and discuss the importance of Black History. Fabu, as she is professionally known, is a poet, columnist, storyteller, and educator who writes to encourage, inspire and remind. The Madison Poet Laureate from 2008-2012, she continues to share experiences living in the South, the Midwest and in Africa. Enjoy music from the movement, soul food from Melly Mells Catering, trivia and more!

Reducing Racism and Prejudice

Tue, 02/09/2016 – 12:00pm

Central Library, Meeting Room 302

Environmental Organizations Equity Working Group and Sustain Dane presents Markus Brauer, UW-Madison Professor for Social Psychology.

Do you work with the environmental movement ? Join us for a workshop aimed at Reducing Racism and Prejudice.​​ Our goal is to expose participants to effective racism/prejudice reduction strategies that can be applied at work. In 2015, 15 area environmental organizations discussed improving equity within our organizations and programming.

The Black Panthers: Vanguard of the Revolution w/Stanley Nelson

Tue, 02/09/2016 – 6:30pm

Central Library, Meeting Rooms 301 & 302

WPT and IndieLens Pop-Up present The Black Panthers: Vanguard of the Revolution by Stanley Nelson. A new revolutionary culture emerged in the turbulent 1960s, and the Black Panther Party was at the vanguard. Weaving together a treasure trove of rare footage with the voices of a diverse group of people who were there, Nelson tells the vibrant story of a pivotal movement that feels timely all over again. Join us for a conversation following the film with the Director, Stanley Nelson.

Love Released Book Launch Event

Sat, 02/13/2016 – 1:00pm

Central Library, Meeting Room 302

Authors Catrina J. Sparkman, Fabu, and Sherry Lucille invite you to the Love Released Launch Party. This Valentine’’s Day weekend, join three dynamic women writers as they read from their latest works of poetry and fiction surrounding the theme of love. Be sure to come out and support these local authors, purchase their books and take home the gift of love for both you and someone you know. Food, fun, music and more!

Black Storytime with Rev. Melva Bishop-Hewing

Fri, 02/19/2016 – 6:30pm

Goodman South Madison Library

Rev. Melva Bishop-Hewing was born in Montgomery, Alabama; her grandmother was expert at sharing stories about her family’s life. Melva learned to listen intensely and utilize her imagination to visualize the journey her grandmother shared with them on the front porch. Please join us and witness this amazing talent as she tells stories about South Madison’’s very She-hero.

UW Presents: A Reading with Poet Roger Reeves

Tue, 02/23/2016 – 7:00pm

Bubbler, Central Library

Join us for a reading from poet Roger Reeves, author of KING ME. Roger Reeves’s poems have appeared in journals such as Poetry, Ploughshares, American Poetry Review, Boston Review, and Tin House, among others. Kim Addonizio selected “Kletic of Walt Whitman” for the Best New Poets 2009 anthology.

Film Screening of Vel Phillips: Dream Big Dreams

Thu, 02/25/2016 – 6:30pm

Pinney Library

The story of one remarkable woman and the struggles she undertook to build a better community are shared in a documentary from Wisconsin Public Television. This documentary explores the many ways Vel Phillips strived to build a better community in Milwaukee and throughout Wisconsin.

Black Storytime with Rev. Dr. Leonard Thompson, Sr.

Fri, 02/26/2016 – 6:30pm

Goodman South Madison Library

Rev. Dr. Leonard Thompson, Sr., the Interim Pastor of the Mt Zion Baptist Church in Madison, Wisconsin, will tell “The Animals Share” an African story about the importance of working together by sharing with each other. Dr. Thompson is a gifted storyteller who uses humor and animal figures and dolls to tell stories. Bring the whole family to these events meant to entertain, educate and engage children and parents.

Kasiya Phiri presents African Folklore for all ages

Sat, 02/27/2016 – 3:00pm

Hawthorne Library

African Folklore for all ages: a very short intro (and sing along) for intellectuals, scholars and the curious. Learn about folktales for community building, with storytelling and African song. Kasiya Phiri is a storyteller and a former professor of oral literature at the University of Malawi in southeast Africa. Mr. Phiri, who has taught Swahili and African literature at Dartmouth, tells stories at book fairs and in libraries.

Straight Outta Compton

Fri, 03/18/2016 – 7:00pm

Hawthorne Library

(2015 / USA / English / 147 min. / Rated R) Entrenched in the racial tumult of Los Angeles in the mid-1980’s, a group of aspiring rappers banded together to revolutionize the global consumption of hip-hop and popular culture. N.W.A. was born out of racial frustration and the disadvantaged economics of their South Central neighborhood.

Book To Art Club: Just Mercy

Sun, 03/20/2016 – 1:30pm

Bubbler, Central Library

Explore literature in a hands-on, creative way with the Book to Art Club. Read the book and come make a creative project based on the book’s themes. All are welcome — no experience in art making necessary. Supplies provided. This month we will be creating art inspired by Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson. UW-Madison’’s 2015 Go Big Read is a nonfiction account of attorney Bryan Stevenson’’s efforts to free Walter McMillan, a man on death row for a murder he didn’’t commit.

Madison libraries will also feature Black History Month displays highlighting the contributions of Black Americans past and present. Follow along as the library highlights facts, books, events, and more via social media all month long on Facebook (Madison Public Library) and Twitter (@madisonlibrary) #BlackHistoryMonth

For more information, visit http://www.madisonpubliclibrary.org/black-history-month.

About Madison Public Library
Madison Public Library’s tradition of promoting education, literacy and community involvement has enriched the City of Madison for more than 140 years. Our nine locations throughout the City of Madison are open six days per week and welcome over 2.2 million visits each year. For more information, visit madisonpubliclibrary.org, www.facebook.com/madisonpubliclibrary or @madisonlibrary on Twitter.

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