Celebrate Black History Month with Gwinnett County Public Library All Month Long
Did you know February is Black History Month? We’d love you to celebrate with Gwinnett County Public Library all month long!
Black History Month (BHM) is the time to celebrate the many achievements of African Americans throughout U.S. history. It might seem random to celebrate BHM in February, but this month was chosen for being the month that both Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass were born in. Black History Month is not only celebrated in the United States but also in Canada, the United Kingdom, and Ireland. While this month-long observance initially began as a week-long celebration, since 1976 it has become recognized as an annual celebration.
To celebrate BHM, during the month of February, we will be highlighting local African-American authors, digital resources to learn more on Black history, and programs designed to highlight and honor the contributions of Black Americans to history.
BLACK HISTORY MONTH PROGRAMS:
Week 1: January 30 – February 5
All week-long. Prolific Black Poets
Children are invited to come learn about African-American poets and to write a poem of their own.
This activity will be located in the children’s area – families are encouraged to participate any time between January 30 – February 5.
This activity will be held at the Peachtree Corners Branch.
Monday, January 31 at 2 p.m. Rightfully So!: Exploring the Encyclopedia of Human Rights
Interested in human rights and social justice issues? Each month we examine a topic found in the Encyclopedia of Human Rights and try to understand it better.
This is a virtual program.
Tuesday, February 1 at 10 a.m. The Black Power Movement: Reconsidered
A short look at one of the most misinterpreted, misunderstood, and least discussed parts of the Civil Rights Era.
This is a virtual program.
Tuesday, February 1 at 12 p.m. Kindred: Celebrating African American Culture
A Black History Month celebration of the significant authors and books in the genre of African American fiction.
This is a virtual program.
Tuesday, February 1 at 3 p.m. Open Your World Book Club: For Adults/Teens w/Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities
Readers and aspiring readers are invited to join us online for reading, listening and discussion of adapted versions of classic short stories and novels. During this session, we will be discussing A Hero for All Times by Frederick Douglass.
This is a virtual program.
Thursday, February 3 at 4 p.m. STEAM Squad: Black Pioneers
Join us for some Black History-related science activities during this month’s STEAM Squad. This month’s theme revolves around Black History and contributions to science.
This program will be held at the Centerville Branch.
Thursday, February 3 at 7 p.m. The Moral and Religious Thoughts of Frederick Douglas
Join GCPL as Professor Scott C. Williamson in conversation with Ron Gauthier to discuss this important American classic.
This is a virtual program.
Saturday, February 5 at 12 p.m. Happy Birthday Langston Hughes!
The Five Forks branch invites young readers to join us as we celebrate the birthday of one of America’s most prolific poets.
This program will be held at the Five Forks Branch.
Saturday, February 5 at 1 p.m. The Imperfect Storm: Racism & a Pandemic Collide in America: How It Impacted Public Education and How to Fix It
Join GCPL with James A. Taylor, Ph.D., and Wandy W. Taylor, Ed.D. as they discuss their book.
This program will be held at the Lilburn Branch.
Week 2: February 6 – February 12
All week-long. Discover the Underground Railroad Codes in Quilt Blocks
Children are invited to learn about the Underground Railroad and make their own coded quilt blocks.
This activity will be located in the children’s area – families are encouraged to participate any time between February 6 – February 12.
This activity will be held at the Peachtree Corners Branch.
Monday, February 7 All Day Black History Month Virtual Escape Room
Test your knowledge and learn about Black History Month as you solve clues to escape the virtual room.
This is a virtual program.
Monday, February 7 at 6 p.m. Healthy Meals on a Budget: Black History Month Edition
Join us as we dive deeper into healthy eating and delicious recipes like okra and sweet potato gumbo.
This program will be held at the Lawrenceville Branch.
Monday, February 7 at 6 p.m. Fashion Forward: History, Significance, & Influence of African American Style
Join us for this special Black History Month program to learn more about the history and importance of fashion in the Black community; as well as the African American influence on popular culture and fashion.
This program will be held at the Five Forks Branch.
Tuesday, February 8 at 3 p.m. Open Your World Book Club: For Adults/Teens w/Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities
Readers and aspiring readers are invited to join us online for reading, listening and discussion of adapted versions of classic short stories and novels. During this session, we will be discussing A Hero for All Times by Frederick Douglass.
This program is virtual.
Tuesday, February 8 at 4 p.m. African Diaspora Series, Part 1: History
In celebration of Black History Month, check out our discussion on the history of the African Diaspora and its powerful impact on modern-day culture.
This program is virtual.
Tuesday, February 8 at 6 p.m. Pajama Storytime: Black History Month
Join us for a special evening storytime to celebrate African American culture and heritage in honor of Black History Month.
This program will be held at the Duluth Branch.
Thursday, February 10 at 10:30 a.m. Preschool Storytime
Special stories and activities that focus on Black History Month for the whole family! Storytime this week is focused on learning about the life and music of Louis Armstrong.
This program will be held at the Peachtree Corners Branch.
Thursday, February 10 at 12 p.m. See Yourself in the Story: Clean Getaway
Are you looking for your next great book to read? Check out this title, and see yourself in the story.
This program is virtual.
Thursday, February 10 at 1 p.m. Dacula Book Club for Adults
Join us live for our monthly book club either virtual or in branch. This month’s book is The Vanishing Half by Britt Bennett.
This program will be held at the Dacula Branch.
Thursday, February 10 at 7 p.m. One Man’s Journey to Understand the Meaning of Freedom
Join GCPL and author Alex Robson in conversation with Emmy winner Kolinda Scialabba as they discuss Robson’s book, The Freedom Cards: 15 Years Fighting to Understand Freedom.
This program will be held at the Suwanee Branch.
Friday, February 11 at 3 p.m. Page Turners: Diverse Book Club
Participants are invited to check out a special online series designed to illustrate the importance of treating others with respect and dignity through diverse books. This week: You Should See Me in a Crown by Leah Johnson.
This program is virtual.
Saturday, February 12 at 1 p.m. Self Portrait Collages: Inspired by Deborah Robert
Celebrate Black History Month by creating a self-portrait in the style of artist Deborah Roberts.
This program will be held at the Peachtree Corners Branch.
Saturday, February 12 at 2 p.m. African American Genealogy
Discover tips and tricks to successfully find your African American ancestors using GCPl genealogy library resources and databases.
This program will be held at the Duluth Branch.
Week 3: February 13 – February 19
All week-long. Black Inventor Stations
Children are invited to learn about African-American inventors and their inventions.
This activity will be located in the children’s area – families are encouraged to participate any time between February 13 – February 19.
This activity will be held at the Peachtree Corners Branch.
Monday, February 14 at 12 p.m. LGBTQIA+: Heroes, Icons, Legends, and Events: Josephine Baker
For Black History Month we will be discussing one of the most famous black female entertainers in history, Josephine Baker.
This program is virtual.
Tuesday, February 15 at 3 p.m. Open Your World Book Club: For Adults/Teens w/Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities
Readers and aspiring readers are invited to join us online for reading, listening and discussion of adapted versions of classic short stories and novels. During this session, we will be discussing A Hero for All Times by Frederick Douglass.
This program is virtual.
Wednesday, February 16 at 10 a.m. Six Selected African American Digital Resources
Explore the rich cultural legacy of African American history via six selected GCPL digital resources.
This program is virtual.
Wednesday, February 16 at 5 p.m. Black History STEM!
Stop by Dacula for a special storytime and stem activity featuring Gwinnett Author Patrice McLaurin.
This program will be held at the Dacula Branch.
Thursday, February 17 at 9 a.m. Non-Fiction Reviews with Jon: The World’s Fastest Man
Join us for this episode of Non-Fiction Reviews with Jon as we give a summary of the book The World’s Fastest Man by Michael Kranish.
This program is virtual.
Thursday, February 17 at 11 a.m. Adult Cozy Mystery Book Club
Join us for a discussion on a preselected Mystery book. The book for this month’s discussion is A Deadly Inside Scoop by Abby Collette.
This program will be held at the Duluth Branch.
Thursday, February 17 at 4 p.m. STEAM Squad: Black Pioneers
Join us for a discussion on a preselected Mystery book. The book for this month’s discussion is A Deadly Inside Scoop by Abby Collette.
This program will be held at the Duluth Branch.
Thursday, February 17 at 6:30 p.m. Social Justice Club: Black Health & Wellness
Join us for an open discussion of social issues that affect our community. For the month of February, we will be discussing the issue of black health and wellness.
This program is virtual.
Friday, February 18 at 4 p.m. African Diaspora Series, Part 2: Mythology and Literature
In celebration of Black History Month, check out our discussion on mythology and early stories related to African Diaspora and its impact on modern-day literature.
This program is virtual.
Saturday, February 19 at 11 a.m. Trace Your Roots: African American Genealogy
Join GCPL to learn how to start your genealogy research for African American genealogy.
This program will be held at the Buford-Sugar Hill Branch.
Saturday, February 19 at 11:30 a.m. Family Storytime
Join us for a storytime with your family. We will be reading Hair Love and Monkey Brother.
This program will be held at the Collins Hill Branch.
Saturday, February 19 at 1 p.m. BlackSuperHero-Con
Join us for a day of trivia, games, and more as we celebrate the legacy of Black Superhero comics during Black History Month. All ages and costumes are welcome!
This program will be held at the Duluth Branch.
Week 4: February 20 – February 26
All week-long. Black History Scavenger Hunt
Children are invited to learn about prominent African-American individuals through a scavenger hunt.
Each participant will be given a list of clues to follow and a small prize upon turning in a completed list. This activity will be located in the children’s area – families are encouraged to participate any time between February 20 – February 26.
This activity will be held at the Peachtree Corners Branch.
Monday, February 21 at 5 p.m. Black Superheros Showcase
In honor of Black History Month join us for an all-ages event with games and activities celebrating black superheroes.
This program will be held at the Lawrenceville Branch.
Monday, February 21 at 5 p.m. Exploring the Solar System: Black History Month
Join us this month as we celebrate Black History Month and learn about African American contributions to space and its exploration. Ages 9-13.
This program will be held at the Mountain Park Branch.
Monday, February 21 at 6 p.m. History of Mardi Gras and More
Join us for Black History Month to learn about the origins of Mardi Gras, which dates back to as early as 1703, as well as the origins of cotillions, debutante balls, and carnival.
This program will be held at the Snellville Branch.
Wednesday, February 23 at 5 p.m. Black History STEM!
Stop by Dacula for a special storytime and stem activity featuring Gwinnett Author Patrice McLaurin.
This program will be held at the Dacula Branch.
Wednesday, February 23 at 5:30 p.m. Chapter Chat: Kids Book Club: Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky
Join us for a book discussion, trivia game and win prizes! Create your own memory box or bottle tree based on the book to take home.
This program will be held at the Collins Hill Branch.
Friday, February 25 at 5 p.m. Page Turners: Diverse Book Club
Participants are invited to check out a special online series designed to illustrate the importance of treating others with respect and dignity through diverse books. This week: As Brave as You by Jason Reynolds.
Saturday, February 26 at 11 a.m. Black History Month: Katherine Johnson and Apollo 13
Learn about the amazing mathematician Katherine Johnson and how her calculation helped save Apollo 13.
This program will be held at the Five Forks Branch.
Saturday, February 26 at 3 p.m. Family Black History Storytime
In recognition of Black History Month, please join us for a family storytime featuring Sharyn Riggs, Cedric Lloyd and Keith Johnson.
This program will be held at the Snellville Branch.
Sunday, February 27 at 3 p.m. What Lies Beneath: Exploring African American Burial Grounds
Join GCPL for our Sunday in Suwanee series as historian Dr. D L Henderson discusses the history of Atlanta’s segregated Oakland Cemetery
This program will be held at the Suwanee Branch.