The Los Angeles County Library is celebrating Black History Month by hosting a variety of themed special events and activities at several library locations, and a special curated event series at the Library’s African American Resource Center, part of A C Bilbrew Library, 150 E. El Segundo Blvd., Los Angeles.
This month, in celebration of the contributions that generations of African Americans have made throughout our nation’s history, LA County Library locations will offer free programs, including author events, film screenings, storytelling, spoken word performances, performing arts and art activities to the public.
The holiday is particularly relevant to A C Bilbrew Library; it houses the Library’s African American Resource Center, which was established in 1978 to serve the informational and educational needs of African Americans and the larger population by supporting research and study on social, historical and cultural aspects unique to the African American experience.
“Black History Month is an integral part of our nation’s tradition. It’s a month to remember the important contributions and achievements of African Americans. This remembrance is not only deeply meaningful for the African American community, but imperative for the greater understanding of national and world history,” said Rose Mitchell, African American Resource Center Librarian. “Focusing on Black History Month provides our library customers an opportunity to learn about cultures of the African Diaspora, as well as the important contributions by African Americans to art, literature, music, politics, pop culture, sports, the military and so many other aspects of American and world culture,” said Mitchell.
“Library is the place for people to learn. I am very proud of our four cultural resource centers – African American, Chicano, Asian and American Indian. These cultural resource centers not only provide LA County residents with precious archives, but they also serve as an important medium for our customers to learn about other cultures,” said LA County Library Director Skye Patrick.
Black History Month events sponsored by the African American Resource Center include:
Today through Feb. 3, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
African American Miniature Museum Exhibit by Karen Collins at A C Bilbrew Library
Feb. 10, 2 to 4 p.m.
African Dance Workshop by Ayo Sharpe-Mouzon at A C Bilbrew Library
Feb. 7, noon to 1 p.m.
African Djembe Drum Workshop with master Drummer Rozell Woods at A C Bilbrew Library
Feb. 17 2 to 4 p.m.
Performance: Moment to Moment with the Mills Brothers
Sharon L. Graine Production Company at Compton Library, 240 W. Compton Blvd., Compton.
Feb. 24, 1 to 3 p.m.
African Americans in Times of War: Celebrating Our Veterans at A C Bilbrew Library
A list of Black History Month library events is available at colapublib.org/bhm.
