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Black History Month

Black History Month

February is Black History Month, a time to recognize, celebrate, and honor the rich and diverse history, and important contributions and achievements, of African Americans. 


FOR ADULTS

Pop Genre Romance Book Club
Tuesday, February 7, 6-7 p.m. - East Branch, 2320 N. Cramer St.

Join the discussion of Seven Days in June by Tia Williams. When Shane and Eva meet unexpectedly at a literary event, sparks fly, raising not only their buried traumas, but the eyebrows of the Black literati. What no one knows is that fifteen years earlier, teenage Eva and Shane spent one crazy, torrid week madly in love. While they may be pretending not to know each other, they can’t deny their chemistry - or the fact that they’ve been secretly writing to each other in their books through the years.

Novel Ideas Book Club
Monday, February 13, 6-7 p.m. - Zablocki Branch, 3501 W. Oklahoma Ave.

Join the discussion of Yellow Wife: A Novel by Sadeqa Johnson. Born on a plantation but set apart from the others by her mother’s position as a medicine woman, a young slave is forced to leave home at eighteen and unexpectedly finds herself in an infamously cruel jail. This program will be offered at the Zablocki Branch and virtually through Zoom. For virtual attendance, please register here.

Black History Month Book Buffet
Tuesday, February 14, 6-7 p.m. - East Branch, 2320 N. Cramer St.

Sample a delightful spread of books by Black authors during this short readers’ advisory presentation and book buffet. Leave with your TBR (to-be-read) pile full and ready for a year reading Black writing excellence.

Black History Month Read In with Ald. Milele A. Coggs 
Monday, February 27, - 5:30-6:30 p.m. - Martin Luther King Branch, 310 W. Locust St.

Alderwoman Milele A. Coggs invites parents and children to attend a read in in honor of Black History Month.

Climate Action Book Club
Monday, February 27, 6-7 p.m. - Virtual Program. Register here.

Join the discussion of The Black Agenda edited by Anna Gifty Opoku-Agyeman. The Black Agenda is a bold and urgent move towards social justice through a profound collection of essays featuring Black scholars and experts across economics, education, health, climate, and technology. It speaks to the question “What’s next for America?” on the subjects of policy-making, mental health, artificial intelligence, climate movement, the future of work, the LGBTQ community, the criminal legal system, and more.

Pop Genre Horror Book Club
Monday, February 27, 6-7 p.m. - Bay View Branch, 2566 S. Kinnickinnic Ave.

Join the discussion of The Ballad of Black Tom by Victor LaValle. Charles Thomas Tester hustles to put food on the table, keep the roof over his father’s head, from Harlem to Flushing Meadows to Red Hook. He knows what magic a suit can cast, the invisibility a guitar case can provide, and the curse written on his skin that attracts the eye of wealthy white folks and their cops. But when he delivers an
occult tome to a reclusive sorceress in the heart of Queens, Tom opens a door to a deeper realm of magic, and earns the attention of things best left sleeping.

Wisconsin's African American History
Tuesday, February 28, 6-7:30 p.m. - Center Street Branch, 2727 W. Fond du Lac Ave.

Join us for a broad overview of the history of African Americans in Wisconsin up to today, presented by Clayborn Benson, the Executive Director of the Wisconsin Black Historical Society.


FOR CHILDREN & FAMILIES

Black History Jeopardy
Tuesday, February 7, 5-6:30 p.m. - Villard Square Branch, 5190 N. 35th St.

Test your Black History knowledge of notable figures. Come to the library for a fun evening playing this classic game with a Black History twist. Work with teammates or on your own to answer questions as quickly as possible and race for the win! Prizes will be awarded. 

Hora de cuentos: Mes de la Historia Negra
Viernes, 10 y 17 de febrero, 9:30-10 a.m.

Regístrense aquí para recibir el enlace para conectarse al programa. Celebremos los logros de los americanos negros y tomemos tiempo para reconocer su papel importante en la historia de los Estados Unidos. Únanse al programa para leer, cantar y participar en otras actividades diseñadas para los niños pequeños y sus cuidadores.

Crafting Saturday
Saturday, February 18, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. - Zablocki Branch, 3501 W. Oklahoma Ave.

Make a craft for African American History month.

Black History Month Makers: Ashley Bryan-Inspired Puppets!
Saturday, February 18, 10-10:45 a.m. - Central Library Children’s Room, 814 W. Wisconsin Ave.

Celebrate beloved children’s author and illustrator Ashley Bryan by making your own puppet out of found materials - just like Mr. Bryan used to do!

Explore Linguistics: Code Switching
Tuesday, February 21, 5-7 p.m. - Villard Square Branch, 5190 N. 35th St.

Watch a screening of the Kanopy documentary “Code Switching.” Fun linguistics activities will be available to explore while the film is showing. Discussion of film to follow.

Black History Month Read In with Ald. Milele A. Coggs 
Monday, February 27, - 5:30-6:30 p.m. - Martin Luther King Branch, 310 W. Locust St.

Alderwoman Milele A. Coggs invites parents and children to attend a read in in honor of Black History Month.

Black History Month Bookmarks
Month of February – Atkinson Branch, 1960 W. Atkinson Ave.

Teens are invited to stop by Atkinson Branch during the month of February to make origami bookmarks with African textile-inspired papers. Check out the Black History Month book display and pick up a great read, too.  


MORE LIBRARY RESOURCES

  • Attend a wide variety of story times for children and families at your Milwaukee Public Library. Visit mpl.org/StoryTime for times and locations.
  • Use your Milwaukee Public Library card to access Kanopy and download free films celebrating Black History at mpl.org/kanopy.
  • Check out the African American Genealogy Pathfinder for help on how to trace African American roots at mpl.org/AAGP.
  • Browse the new Irene Bishop Goggans Digital Collection. The Irene Bishop Goggans collection contains materials pertaining to the African American community in Milwaukee and across the country. Materials collected by Irene Goggans (1926-2017) are mostly from the 1950s to the early 2010s

 

Programs

December 13, 2023
12:30 PM
Discovery Lunches @ Zablocki Library at Zablocki

Inspiration starts here! Discovery Lunches are one-hour programs that let…

December 16, 2023
11:00 AM
Central Library Architectural Tour at Central

Visit Milwaukee Public Library's beautiful Central Library, a popular destination for more…

1:30 PM
Art Book Club at Central

This informal art book appreciation club meets once a month in…

December 18, 2023
5:00 PM
Jólabókaflóð Cozy Craft & Reading Party at East

Create an aurora borealis inspired art piece while learning more…

December 20, 2023
12:30 PM
Discovery Lunches @ Villard Square Library at Villard Square

Inspiration starts here! Discovery Lunches are one-hour programs that let you…

January 24, 2024
12:30 PM
Discovery Lunches @ Villard Square Library at Villard Square

Inspiration starts here! Discovery Lunches are one-hour programs that let…

January 27, 2024
10:30 AM
Beginner ESL Hour at Mitchell Street

This monthly Beginner ESL Hour is for adult English language learners.…

11:00 AM
Rich in Roots at Washington Park

How well do you know where you came from? Who…

February 24, 2024
10:30 AM
Beginner ESL Hour at Mitchell Street

This monthly Beginner ESL Hour is for adult English language learners.…

February 28, 2024
12:30 PM
Discovery Lunches @ Zablocki Library at Zablocki

Inspiration starts here! Discovery Lunches are one-hour programs that let…

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