Black History Month 2023

We're gearing up for a full month of Black History programs, displays, and reading in February. Explore contemporary local street art with Hamilton Glass, learn about Emancipation Towns in our region, research your family’s history with the African American Genealogical Society of Central Virginia, taste soul food from a celebrated local chef, discuss Black authors and filmmakers, enjoy theatrical performances with your little ones, and so much more. No matter your interests, we are offering a way for you to engage with Black History and culture this month at the Library.

PROGRAMS

ADULT

Mural Workshops with Hamilton Glass
- Feb. 4, 10AM – 2PM at Tuckahoe Library,
- Feb. 11, 10AM – 2PM at Varina Library
- Feb. 25, 10AM – 2PM at Libbie Mill Library
- Spend a few hours with local artist/designer/creator Hamilton Glass tapping into your inner artist and working collaboratively with a group to create a piece of public art. Learn to be part of the process of creating a large-scale work of art that will enliven and enrich its environment. This program is organized by the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts and is supported in part by the Paul Mellon Endowment and the Jean Stafford Camp Memorial Fund. Additional sponsorship provided by the Henrico County Friends of Library.

Mending Walls: Film Screening and Artist Talk
- Feb. 9, 7 – 8:30PM at Libbie Mill Library
- In the documentary Mending Walls (2021, NR, 57 min.), artist Hamilton Glass challenges 30 artists from different cultural backgrounds to collaborate on 16 murals about race, status, and experiences in Richmond, Virginia. View the film and hear the artist speak about the project and how these murals became symbols of hope. This program is supported in part by the Paul Mellon Endowment and the Jean Stafford Camp Memorial Fund. Additional sponsorship provided by the Friends of Henrico County Public Library.

History BINGO: Henrico Black History Edition
- Feb. 7, 7 – 8PM at Tuckahoe Library
- Feb. 28, 1 – 2PM at Fairfield Library
- African Americans in Henrico have contributed to our community in many ways for hundreds of years. Join us to learn more about Black history by playing BINGO. Stay for the fun and prizes, leave with knowledge of how Black Henricoans contributed to our past, shaped our present, and impact our future. Program held in partnership with Henrico County Recreation and Parks, History Division.

Black History Month Scavenger Hunt
- Feb. 13 through Fri. Feb. 17, 9AM – 6PM at Twin Hickory Library
- Stop by Twin Hickory Library's Information Desk on the second floor from Monday, Feb. 13th through Friday, Feb. 17th to participate in an exciting and educational scavenger hunt to celebrate Black History Month. Complete the scavenger hunt for a chance to win a prize. This activity is for adults, but children under 18 may participate along with an adult. Prizes donated by the Friends of Twin Hickory Library.

African American Genealogy in Central Virginia
- Feb. 15, 6:30 – 8PM via Webex, sponsored by the Friends of Libbie Mill Library
- Experienced genealogists from the African American Historical and Genealogical Society of Greater Richmond will share the most effective resources and methods for researching African American families in central Virginia. Visit their website at comor reach out to aahgsrichmond@gmail.comfor more information on their work.

Richmond’s Emancipation Towns
- Feb. 16, 7 – 8PM at Tuckahoe Library
- In the aftermath of the Civil War and Emancipation, newly freed men and women established homes and communities of their own. Some migrated west, but most stayed closer to places and people they knew. Names such as Westwood, Zion Town, Washington Park, and Jackson Ward will be familiar as Richmond neighborhoods begun by people starting with nothing but determination to begin new autonomous lives in an uncertain America. Presented by Ana Edwards, Historian and Education Manager of the American Civil War Museum, and followed by a question and answer session.

Cook & Book: Soul Food with Chef Charles
- Feb. 27, 7 – 8:30PM at Varina Library
- Finish Black History Month with a flourish as we welcome back Chef Charles of Blackfolkfood. He brings his classical training to the preparation of the cuisine of Black Southerners.

TEEN

What’s the Stitch: African-Inspired Fabric Bulletin Boards
- Feb. 25, 2:30 – 4PM at Fairfield Library
- Stop by each month as we practice our crafting skills and learn new ones. From crochet to macramé, all crafts and all skill levels are welcome. Bring a project from home to work on, or try something new with our rotating monthly craft. This month, we will learn about the colors and patterns used in traditional African fabrics and make fabric-covered bulletin boards and tacks. Supplies and books will be provided.

Teen Book Night
- Feb. 27, 7 – 8PM at Varina Library
- Discuss popular teen books with us. A limited number of books will be available to pick up at the teen desk starting mid-January. February's title: March: Book 3 by John Lewis, Andrew Aydin, and Nate Powell.

KIDS + ALL AGES

Bright Star Theatre: George Washington Carver and Friends
- Feb. 9, 4 – 5PM at Fairfield Library
- Professional acting troupe Bright Star Theatre presents George Washington Carver & Friends. Black History heroes laid the groundwork for some of the most amazing discoveries of the modern era, especially when it comes to Science, Technology, Engineering and Math. Hosted by the incredible scientist George Washington Carver, a man who invented a thousand uses for the lowly peanut, this show introduces kids to wide-range of incredible scientists, entrepreneurs, and groundbreakers from Black History.

Bright Star Theatre: Black History Heroes, Soldiers, and Spies
- Feb. 9, 7 – 8PM at Tuckahoe Library
- Professional acting troupe Bright Star Theatre presents Black History Heroes, Soldiers & Spies. History is filled with Black American heroes and in this production audiences learn the stories of some of the most amazing figures like Colonel Charles Young of the Buffalo Soldiers, the Tuskegee Airmen as they take flight to help achieve victory in World War II, and Mary Elizabeth Bowser, whose work as a spy helped the Union during the Civil War. An exciting and interactive production that is sure to intrigue young and old alike!

Black History Trivia
- Feb. 18, 2 – 2:45PM at North Park Library
- Test your knowledge and learn more about Black History. All are welcome. If you are lucky, you may win a prize courtesy of the Friends of the Library.

Inspired Art: Wiley Self-Portraits
- Feb. 22, 3 – 4PM at Fairfield Library
- Children are welcome to learn about the notable African-American portrait painter, Kehinde Wiley, and his famous works of art. Then, we will create our own Wiley-inspired self-portraits. Books on arts and crafts will be available for check-out. Ages 6 and up.

Preschool Craft: African-Inspired Animal Masks
- Feb. 23, 3:30 - 4:30PM at Twin Hickory Library
- Ages 3-5 years with an adult helper. Hear a story and create an African-inspired animal mask.

Black History Month Celebration: A Day of Empowerment and Positivity
- Feb. 25, 12 – 4PM at Varina Library
- Join us for an afternoon of cultural empowerment and positivity. Be inspired to celebrate the past, present, and future of the Black community with affirmation stations, crafts, information sessions, and a screening of King Richard (2021, PG-13, 144 min.), a biopic about the father of tennis superstars Serena & Venus Williams.

MOVIES AND FILM SCREENINGS

Black Film Festival at Libbie Mill Library
- Feb. 1, 2 – 5PM: Crooklyn (1994, PG-13, 114 min.)
- Feb. 2, 6:30 – 8:50PM: Widows (2018, R, 129 min.)
- Feb. 8, 2 – 5PM: Creed (2015, PG-13, 113 min.)
- Feb. 15, 2 – 5PM: The Hate U Give (2019, PG-13, 129 min.)
- Feb. 16, 6:30 – 8:50PM: Shaft (1971, R, 98 min.)