FORT WAYNE, Ind. (ADAMS) – Throughout the month of February, the Allen County Public Library invites the community to celebrate Black History Month with a variety of programs, presentations, and experiences that celebrate Black heritage and success.
The Library’s 2024-28 strategic plan “Windows to Lifelong Learning and Discovery” includes a strategic goal of “Creating a Culture of Belonging” and focuses on service models, staff support, and celebrating and reflecting the diversity of Allen County in the Library’s collection, services, and spaces.
ACPL representatives released the following:
The Library’s 2024-28 strategic plan “Windows to Lifelong Learning and Discovery” includes a strategic goal of “Creating a Culture of Belonging” and focuses on service models, staff support, and celebrating and reflecting the diversity of Allen County in the Library’s collection, services, and spaces.
“Our community is stronger when everyone has a place where they belong. We believe the Library is one of those places,” said ACPL Executive Director Susan P. Baier. “Black History Month is an opportunity to celebrate the innumerable contributions of Black leaders across the country and in our own neighborhoods, however, this celebration extends beyond February. We are dedicated to being a place where everyone is welcome – all year long.”
The Library’s Black History Month activities include:
Black History Month Scavenger Hunt – Learn about Black changemakers, community leaders, and icons from Allen County and Indiana by exploring the Library’s Genealogy Center resources. Located in the Great Hall at the Main Library. This is a self-directed activity and is available for free during normal Library hours.
Sit-In Commemoration – Remember the Greensboro Four with donuts and a screening of the documentary “February One: The Story of The Greensboro Four” which tells the story of four young men who walked into a Greensboro, NC Woolworth’s Department Store in1969, sat at the lunch counter and ordered coffee and doughnuts. They were denied service because they were Black but refused to leave. A protest movement grew from their brave actions and contributed to the end of segregation.
- 2/1 Little Turtle (10 am), Pontiac (2 pm), Shawnee (4 pm), Hessen Cassel (5:30 pm)
- 2/3 Waynedale (10 am)
Free Breakfast – This program was developed by the Black Panther Party in 1969 to cook and serve food to inner-city youth. The program was such a success that the Panthers set up kitchens across the nation, feeding 10,000 children every day before school. All breakfasts are served at 10 am unless otherwise noted.
- 2/3 Hessen Cassel (10:30 am), Pontiac
- 2/10 Dupont, Pontiac
- 2/14 Georgetown
- 2/17 Pontiac, Shawnee
- 2/24 Pontiac
Black History Month Book Clubs
- 2/1 Books & Beans at the 909 Common Grounds Coffeehouse, New Haven (1 pm)
Discussing “Chain-Gang All-Stars” by Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah
- 2/1 Authors & Ales at 2Toms Brewing Company (6:30 pm)
Discussing “Born a Crime” by Trevor Noah
- 2/15 Bookends at Main Library (10 a.m.)
Discussing “the Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks” by Rebecca Skloot
- 2/26 Books & Beans at Crescendo Coffee at the Clyde (6 p.m.)
Discussing “You Got Anything Stronger?” by Gabrielle Union, discussion led by ACPL Executive Director Susan P. Baier
- 2/28 Books & Beans at GK Café & Provisions (noon)
Discussing “Memphis” by Tara M. Stringfellow
Butterfly Creations with Charlotte Smith
Black art and folktales often feature butterflies as symbols of transformation and balance. Join artist Charlotte Smith to make your own butterfly art.
- 2/1 Main (6 pm)
- 2/5 Main (4 pm)
- 2/8 Waynedale (6:30 pm)
- 2/12 Tecumseh (6:30 pm)
- 2/13 Little Turtle (4 pm)
- 2/19 Hessen Cassel (4 pm)
- 2/22 Shawnee (4 pm)
- 2/27 Pontiac (4:30 pm)
- 2/29 Aboite (4 pm)
Black History Month Exhibit at the Rolland Center for Lincoln Research
The exhibit features fine art lithographs and photographs of Sojourner Truth and Frederick Douglass dating back to the mid-to-late 1800s. Truth’s “Ain’t I A Woman” and Douglass’ memoirs are considered among the most influential writings leading up the abolition of slavery. Open through February 29 at the Main Library during Rolland Center hours.
All events are free and open to the public. For more information about Black History Month activities at the library, patrons can visit acpl.info/events, call (260) 421-1200 or visit a local ACPL branch.
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