Celebrating Black History Month

Celebrate Black History/African-American Heritage Month with a month of programming to inform, celebrate, honor and highlight the Black community's history and achievements.

Programs for Children and Families

 

African Drums with Mama Ka

Thursday, February 1 at 3:30 p.m., Kleberg-Rylie Branch

Monday, February 5 at 3:30 p.m.  Arcadia Park Branch

Tuesday, February 6 at 3:30 p.m.  Arcadia Park Branch

Wednesday, February 7 at 3:30 p.m.  Arcadia Park Branch

Thursday, February 8 at 3:30 p.m.  Arcadia Park Branch

Friday, February 9 at 3:30 p.m.  Arcadia Park Branch

Make African drums out of recycled household materials with local artist Sandra Gipson from the Community Artist Program.

African Drums with Mama Ka is supported in part by the City of Dallas Office of Arts and Culture.

 

Rob Holbert Jazz and Blues Music Performance

Thursday, February 1 at 5:45 p.m.,  North Oak Cliff Branch

Rob Holbert of the Community Artist Program will perform a mixture of jazz and blues music and explain the historical significance that this type of music has had on the world.

Rob Holbert is brought to you in part by the City of Dallas Office of Arts and Culture.

 

African Textiles with Rene Michea'l Jones

Thursday, February 1 at 6 p.m., Dallas West Branch

Saturday, February 3 at noon, Lakewood Branch

Thursday, February 8 at 5 p.m., Prairie Creek Branch

Saturday, February 10 at 1 p.m., White Rock Hills Branch

Local artist Renee Michea'l Jones will lead you on an expedition through the traditional culture and history of African textiles as a medium for storytelling. Thinking about your personal story, you'll incorporate your tale into African textile forms such as Dahomey Applique, Nigerian Adire, West African Adinkra and Senegalese Inking.

This program is sponsored by The City of Dallas Office of Arts and Culture.

 

The Herbie Johnson Jazz Quartet

Saturday, February 3 at noon, Mountain Creek Branch

Step into the vibrant world of jazz as the Herbie Johnson Jazz Quartet takes center stage, offering a soulful and spirited performance tailored for families in celebration of Black History Month. The ensemble, led by Herbie Johnson, pays homage to the African-American influence on the development of jazz, showcasing the genre's evolution and its impact on American culture.

 

Empowerment in Screen Print

Saturday, February 3 at noon, Highland Hills Branch

Saturday, February 17 at noon, Paul Laurence Dunbar Lancaster-Kiest Branch

Saturday, February 24 at noon, Polk-Wisdom Branch

Tuesday, February 27 at 6 p.m., Mountain Creek Branch  

Teens! Get your very own tote bags and learn how to screen print powerful quotes from famous Black individuals. With embroidery hoops, fabric paint, and mesh fabric, you'll craft a meaningful masterpiece to carry with pride.

 

Mae Jemison Space Necklaces

Tuesday, February 6 at 5 p.m., Highland Hills Branch

Thursday, February 8 at 5 p.m., Paul Laurence Dunbar Lancaster-Kiest Branch

Saturday, February 10 at noon, Polk-Wisdom Branch

Friday, February 23 at 3:45 p.m., Mountain Creek Branch

Learn about the groundbreaking achievements of Dr. Mae Jemison and her remarkable journey to becoming an astronaut, breaking barriers and inspiring future generations. Sculpt planets, stars, and celestial wonders out of air-dry clay to make a creative tribute to the first African American woman in space.

 

Traffic Signal Light Catcher

Wednesday, February 7 at 4 p.m., Dallas West Branch

Thursday, February 15 at 3:30 p.m., Arcadia Park Branch

Thursday, February 22 at 4 p.m., Hampton-Illinois Branch

Learn about the remarkable contributions of Garret Morgan, the inventor of the traffic signal. Then unleash your creativity as you design and assemble your Stoplight Light Catcher, bringing vibrant colors and a symbolic piece of history into your home.

This program is funded thanks to The Friends of the Dallas Public Library.

 

Black History Poetry

Saturday, February 10 at noon, Paul Laurence Dunbar Lancaster-Kiest Branch

Celebrate Black History Month with a poetry performance by Kriste'e Gunter Washington aka BAWMIG.

 

Jazz Becuzz

Saturday, February 10 at 2 p.m., Highland Hills Branch

Enjoy a performance by Jazz Becuzz with a dynamic fusion of genres that pays homage to the rich heritage and vibrant legacy of Black music.

This event is supported in part by the City of Dallas Office of Cultural Affairs.

 

MOVEMENT Saturday: Black History Edition

Saturday, February 10 at 2 p.m., J. Erik Jonsson Central Library

Get moving and learn various dance moves from Hip Hop, Swing, Soul and Funk!

 

Crafternoon: Melody Makers

Saturday, February 17 at 10:30 a.m., Audelia Road Branch

Wednesday, February 21 at 3:30 p.m., Vickery Park Branch

Craft a Melody Maker! Create an African thumb piano using everyday materials like hairpins and popsicle sticks. Then explore the rhythmic traditions of African cultures while creating your own melodic masterpiece!

 

Jazz at the Library!

Saturday, February 17 at 2:30 p.m., Pleasant Grove Branch

Come to the library for an exciting jazz performance with special guest Len Barnett Percussion Things!

¡Ven a la biblioteca para una emocionante actuación de jazz con el invitado especial "Len Barnett Percussion Things"!

Provided by the City of Dallas Office of Arts and Culture.

 

Black Superhero Day!

Sunday, February 18 at 2 p.m., J. Erik Jonsson Central Library

Learn all about Black superheroes from Black Panther to Storm at this super event with superhero-themed activities for the whole family! Try your "hand" at science in making your own robotic replica of a superhero hand. Build towers into the sky while learning about greater than and less than values and learn about wind resistance in our pack a parachute activity.

 

Crafterschool Black History Month Mary Blair

Tuesday, February 20 at 3:30 p.m., Park Forest Branch

Explore colors and shapes and create your own castle as we celebrate Black History Month and Mary Blair. All supplies will be provided.

 

Black History Month Watercolor Painting

Tuesday, February 20 at 4 p.m., Mountain Creek Branch

Young artists will bring to life watercolor portraits of iconic Black individuals who have made significant contributions to our world.

 

Black History Month craft: Dream Catchers

Tuesday, February 20 at 4:30 p.m., Pleasant Grove Branch

Learn about Dr. King's "I Have a Dream" speech by making your own dream catcher!

Aprende sobre el mensaje "Tengo un sueño" del Dr. King y haciendo tu propio atrapasueños.

 

After-school STEAM: Mae Among the Stars / Mae Jemison Rocket Craft

Tuesday, February 20 at 4:30 p.m., White Rock Hills Branch

Thursday, February 22 at 4:30 p.m., Pleasant Grove Branch

Learn about the first black woman in space Mae Jemison while making your own straw rockets!

Aprende sobre la primera mujer afroamericana en el espacio, Mae Jemison, mientras fabricamos nuestros propios cohetes de paja.

Funded by the friends of the Dallas Public Library

 

Black History Month Celebration: Harriet Tubman North Star Craft for Kids

Thursday, February 22 at 6:30 p.m., Oak Lawn Branch

Create your own "North Star" art as you hear the story of Harriet Tubman, the brave Underground Railroad conductor who guided many to freedom. 

 

BHM Community Mural

Saturday, February 24 at 1 p.m., Highland Hills Branch

Can a quilt tell a story? Experience how families took pieces of fabric to create beautiful blankets with patterns that represent the past and present. Help us create a paper quilt mural that will be displayed in the library.

 

Black History Month Jazz Performance

Saturday, February 24 at 1:45 p.m., Kleberg-Rylie Branch

Enjoy an afternoon concert from Lenn Barnett and his band Modern Cajon Jazz Ensemble. 

This program is provided by the Dallas Office of Arts and Culture's Community Artist Program.

 

 

Programs for Adults

 

Collage Workshop with Local Artist Jessica Bell

Saturday, February 3 at 1 p.m., Preston Royal Branch

Collages aren't just for elementary school class projects! Jessica Bell will lead this collage workshop focusing on the works of African American artists Romare Bearden and Deborah Roberts.

This program is made possible by the Dallas Office of Arts and Culture.

 

Senior Dance Workshop

Wednesday, February 7 at 11 a.m., Mountain Creek Branch

Join us for a special dance workshop led by Michael Childs and connect with the rich cultural heritage of African American dance. 

 

Into the Archives with the Deep Ellum Foundation

Saturday, February 10 at 1 p.m. J. Erik Jonsson Central Library 

Deep Ellum, known for being a premier entertainment destination in Dallas, celebrated its 150-year anniversary as a neighborhood last year. Deep Ellum was established in 1873 as both a residential and commercial neighborhood and was one of Dallas’ first commercial districts for African-Americans and European immigrants.

Stephanie Keller Hudiburg, Executive Director, and Cathryn Colcer, Archivist, of the Deep Ellum Foundation will discuss efforts to collect and preserve that history, including newly created Deep Ellum Community Center and its role in telling the "deep" history of Deep Ellum.

This program is made possible thanks to the Friends of the Dallas Public Library.

 

Generations: A Celebration of Black History Month with the South Dallas Concert Choir

Thursday, February 15 at 6:30 p.m., Lochwood Branch

Enjoy the South Dallas Concert Choir's annual celebration of Black History Month filled with poetry, spoken word, dance, much singing and laughter!

Supported in part by the City of Dallas Office of Arts and Culture.

 

Celebrating Black History Month: The Learning Tree

Saturday, February 17 at 11 a.m., Dallas West Branch

See Gordon Parks' film adaptation of his novel about a Black teenager living in 1920s Kansas. After witnessing a murder, he must decide if he should come forward to clear the man being framed for the crime.

 

Black Excellence Unleashed!

Saturday, February 17 at noon, J. Erik Jonsson Central Library

Don't miss our community fair, Black Excellence Unleashed, a tribute to the remarkable heroes of real life and fiction.

• Enjoy a musical performance by the Heritage String Quartette: a group founded in DFW composed of 4 young musicians specializing in viola, violin, and cello.
• Browse goods from a collection of Black-owned businesses.
• Refresh and re-focus with Sherri Doucette from Litehouse Wellness who will lead a healing yoga and meditation session. Yoga mats are limited. To ensure everyone can comfortably participate, we encourage you to bring your own yoga mat.
• Try your hand at trivia to win prizes.
• Celebrate Black representation in film, animation, and culture!

Black Excellence Unleashed is supported in part by the City of Dallas Office of Cultural Affairs.

 

Meals & Memories: a Community Tasting for Black History Month

Saturday, February 17 at 4 p.m., J. Erik Jonsson Central Library

Years of history and tradition are contained in the food we eat every day. Celebrate Black History Month with food, community, and conversation. Enjoy a selection of small plates created by Chef Tish Crear of Recipe Oak Cliff. After the tasting, bring your family photos and recipes and get a chance to use Dallas Public Library's mobile Vivid-Pix Memory Station -  a place to scan, restore and record your family memories. Participants will get a free USB of their digitized memories. Registration is required.

Meals and Memories is generously sponsored by the Friends of the Dallas Public Library and the General Levi Casey Chapter, NSDAR.

 

Brushing Through History: Black History Month Adult Painting

Thursday, February 22 at 5:30 p.m., Mountain Creek Branch

Journey through time and culture during this engaging painting class. Registration is required.

 

Black Power, Black People, and Black Eyed Peas: How to Eat for Health, Wealth, and Wellbeing

Thursday, February 22 at 6 p.m., J. Erik Jonsson Central Library (5th Floor)

Find your food story and hear from inspiring author and speaker Michelle Petties about her journey with food. Michelle will share her process for unpacking, uncovering, and processing limiting beliefs around food, eating and hunger.

 

Black History Month: Painting Class

Saturday, February 24 at 1 p.m., Skyline Branch

Bring your creativity to this painting class led by an artist from the Community Artist Program of the Dallas Office of Arts and Culture. Registration is required.

 

Trivia at the Library: Black History Month Edition

Saturday, February 24 at 2:30 p.m., Preston Royal Branch

Show off your knowledge of Black history and Black excellence! Compete on teams of 1-5 people and try for the grand prize! 

 

Earth Day Every Day: An African American Lens on Environmentalism

Thursday, February 29 at 11 a.m., . J Erik Jonsson Central Library (5th Floor)

Learn about Environmental Justice from Sociology professor and community advocate Dr. India Stewart as she speaks about how Black communities have been impacted by environmental situations.

Presented in collaboration with Dallas Environmental Quality and Sustainability (DEQS; Green Dallas).

 

Basqiat Inspired Self-Portraits

Thursday, February 29 at 5 p.m., Oak Lawn Branch

Delve into the life and artistic journey of iconic African American artist Jean-Michel Basquiat, known for his unique style and powerful visual storytelling. This guided session will allow you to channel your inner Basquiat to create a personalized self-portrait that echoes his bold, dynamic aesthetic. Registration is required.

 

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All Dallas Public Library locations will be closed Friday, February 16 for staff training

and Monday, February 19 in observance of Presidents Day.

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