San Rafael, CA – The Black experience in Marin County, nationwide, and beyond, will be celebrated throughout February – Black History Month – by the Marin County Free Library (MCFL) staff.
All month long, special events will be held online to create awareness and appreciation, including through books, films, art, public discussions, and other programming. “Food for the Soul: Celebrate Black History at MCFL” can be found on marinlibrary.org/BHM. The programming was created in conjunction with County of Marin African American Employees Association (COMAEA).
Gulf War U.S. Army veteran Glenn Ross, President of the Marin County United Veterans Council, is one of the featured speakers during the library's Black History Month series.“Black History Month is a reminder that Black history is not separate from our collective American history – nor does it boil down to highlighting a few celebrities, historical events, or sports heroes,” said Stephanie Hartwell-Mandella, MCFL’s Black History program manager. “The Black experience in the United States is rich and complex. It is reflected in every aspect of our society and culture. By sharing stories, our lived experiences, we grow together. We hope our patrons will join us year-round to explore the library’s resources for celebrating Black history and current leadership in the Black American community.”
Here are some of the online events coming up:
- 2:30 p.m. Friday, February 11 – Black History Healthy Moments: Memories, Music, and Magazines (School Day session for kids)
- 2:30 p.m. Saturday, February 12 – Black History Healthy Moments: Memories, Music, and Magazines (Community Day for everyone)
- 3 p.m. Saturday, February 12 – Louis Armstrong House Museum Virtual Experience, a tour of the couple’s home in Corona, Queens, New York
- 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, February 15 – Movie Night, a screening of an Oscar-nominated film
- 7 p.m. Wednesday, February 16 – Blacks in the Military: A Personal Perspective, featuring Marin County United Veterans Council President and Gulf War U.S. Army veteran Glenn Ross
- 7 p.m. Wednesday, February 23 – A reading of The Black Kids, with author Christina Hammonds Reed, intended for teens and older and sponsored by the Friends of the Marin County Free Library
MCFL’s streaming service, Kanopy, has an extensive collection of documentaries and films to entertain and educate. Search for “Black History Month” “Black Lives Matter” or “African American” to bring up a selection.
Searching for great books that address Black history? The MCFL staff recommends these:
For disability accommodations, please phone (415) 473-6358 (voice), CA Relay 711, or e-mail the Library staff at least five business days in advance of the event. The County will do its best to fulfill requests received with less than five business days’ notice. Copies of documents are available in alternative formats, upon request.