Black History Month Programs at FLPL

by Jennifer Keeton
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FLORENCE-Black History Month programs at Florence-Lauderdale Public Library; we have a really strong series this year. Check out the events and programs and help FLPL celebrate Black History Month.

Mr. Handy’s Blues Screening with Dr. Carlos Handy
Saturday, February 3, 1:00-3:00 pm

Dr. Carlos Handy (grandson of Musician, Songwriter and Composer, Mr. W. C. Handy) presents the documentary Mr. Handy’s Blues.

This timely documentary covers on film Mr. William Christopher Handy’s journey from minister’s son to music legend. Against the odds, Handy not only strived but succeeded in an era where the African American voice was rarely heard or acknowledged. The film includes rare footage and photographs. Program will conclude with a Q&A session, book signing and discussion. For more information, call 256-764-6564, ext. 115.

I Am Not Your Negro Documentary Screening
Saturday, February 10, 1:00-3:00 pm

I Am Not Your Negro is based on a nonfiction project started in the late 1970s by writer James Baldwin. After having written a 30 page outline for the book, he explained why he simply couldn’t bring himself to complete it. Originally titled Remember This House, the book was meant to be a retrospective of the lives and deaths of Medgar Evers, Malcolm X, and Martin Luther King based upon Baldwin’s own personal relationships and experiences with all three.

The film shows the importance of how the three men and the nation they were fighting to improve inspired one man to get off the sidelines and return to the United States after living and writing in Paris, France for many years. The documentary includes the truly moving recollections of how ashamed Baldwin felt by images in the newspaper of black students being verbally abused as they integrated white schools. For more information, call 256-764-6564, ext. 115.

A Song for You, Father
Sunday, February 11, 2:00-4:00 pm

Join us for a joyous afternoon of gospel performances at the library! Scheduled featured performers include:

Minister Ray Cooper & the Miracles of Joy
Trinity Missionary Baptist Children’s Choir
Ms. Apriell Burgess (vocalist), with Mr. Grant Gunn (keyboardist)
Ms. Mary Robinson (vocalist)
Ms. Kaylei Bullitt (vocalist)
Ms. Catera Brae Allen (vocalist) with Mr. Grant Gunn
Mrs. Annie Cole
Rev. Rickie Cole

For more information, call 256-764-6564, ext. 115.

Lyrical Expressions Plus
Sunday, February 18, 2:00-4:00 pm

This Jazz and Blues program will include spoken word, music, and dance. Scheduled special guests include:

Mr. Shelly “Sax Man” Williams
Mrs. Mary Mason (Vocalist) and Friends

For more information, call 256-764-6564, ext. 115.

Florence African American Heritage Project Presentation
Saturday, February 24, 10:00 am-12:00 pm

Join us as we present the results of the three History Harvests that Project Say Something hosted along with the Florence-Lauderdale Public Library and the UNA Public History Program. Project Say Something partnered with the FLPL and UNA to collect documents, photographs, artifacts, and stories from African Americans in the Shoals area. We will present some of what we’ve collected, and unveil the database on the library’s website where all of the information will be displayed. The presentation will be followed by a question and answer session.

For more information, call 256-764-6564, ext. 115.

Youth Program: Who We Were Then and Who We Are Now
Saturday, February 24, 12:00-2:00 pm

This family and youth event will include History Skits, Spoken Word, Storytelling, Rap, Hair Care and Skin Care, Music, and AfroFusion Dance and Drums (featuring music and dance moves from various parts of Mother Africa).

Scheduled special guests include:
Ms. Shonna Beckwith (Dance and Percussion)
Dancers: Collin Ragland, Nashema Hayth, Kearra Shaw, Amari Ricks, Catera Brae Allen, Jasmine Ledford and Natalie Ledford
Jasmine Ledford (Spoken Word/Poetry/History Skit)
Catera Brae Allen (Rap/Spoken Word)
Jasmine Anderson (Spoken Word/Poetry)
Jerri M. Ragland (Spoken Word, Vocals and Dance) and Collin Ragland (Spoken Word and Dance)- includes AfroFusion Dance Music
Grant Gunn (Vocalist and Keyboardist) and Manley Russell (Bass Guitar)
Kerrigan Casey (Painter/Visual Artist)
Kennedie Casey (Demonstration on Healthy Hair and Healthy Skin Care for African-American males and females)

For more information, call 256-764-6564, ext. 115.

How Far? Not Far Enough: The Civil Rights Movement in the Shoals
Sunday, February 25, 2:00 pm-4:00 pm

FLPL’s 2018 African-American history series concludes with a panel discussion remembering and reflecting on the Civil Rights Movement in the Shoals. Scheduled panelists include:

Rev. Charlie Burgess
Dr. William Mansel Long, Jr.
Mrs. Anita S. Cobb
Elder Leonard Skipworth
Ms. Tori Bailey
Mrs. Odessa Bailey.

There will also be a special audio interview segment with Mr. John T. Hampton. For more information, call 256-764-6564, ext. 115.

 

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