Black History Month
Black History Month is celebrated in February and recognizes the contributions, triumphs, and achievements of Black Americans in history, culture, and society.
Designated Black History Month in 1986 by the U.S. Congress, the month-long celebration is an opportunity to “gain a deeper understanding and knowledge of the many contributions of Black Americans to our country and the world.”
Throughout the month and all year long, learn something new about the achievements of Black Americans and the events that shaped history through our library resources.
Events
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Audience: all
Location:
Leon County Main Library
Description:
Celebrate Black History Month with the joy of stories and music! Enjoy children’s books by African American authors read aloud by local community members, and groove to a special performance by the Rickards High School Swinging Raider Jazz Band. It’s a fun, interactive way to build literacy and share in the excitement of reading together.
More info
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Audience: all
Location:
Virtual
Description:
Feminist philosopher Dr. Lindsey Stewart’s book, The Conjuring of America: Mojos, Mermaids, Medicine, and 400 Years of Black Women’s Magic, tells the stories of Negro Mammies of slavery; the Voodoo Queens and Blues Women of Reconstruction; and the Granny Midwives and textile weavers of the Jim Crow era. These women, in secrecy and subterfuge, courageously and devotedly continued their practices and worship for centuries and passed down their traditions.
Conjure informs our lives in ways remarkable and ordinary—from traditional medicines that informed the creation of Vicks VapoRub and the rise of Aunt Jemima’s Pancake Mix, to the original magic of Disney’s The Little Mermaid (2023), and the true origins of the all-American classic blue jean.
From the moment enslaved Africans first arrived on these shores, conjure was heavily regulated and even outlawed. Now, Stewart uncovers new contours of American history, sourcing letters from the enslaved, dispatches from the lore of Oshun and other African mystics. The Conjuring of America is a love letter to the real magic Black women used, their herbs, food, textiles, song, and dance, used to sow rebellion, freedom, and hope.
Register for this virtual Author Talk at LeonCountyLibrary.org/AuthorTalks.
View upcoming Author Talk programs and recordings of past talks at LeonCountyLibrary.org/AuthorTalks.
The Author Talk series is sponsored by the Friends of the Leon County Public Library.
More info
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Audience: all
Location:
Eastside Branch Library
Description:
Discover the hidden history of New Hope Cemetery in Leon County. Researcher and community advocate Gloria Jefferson-Anderson shares her journey uncovering this long-forgotten African American burial ground, alongside descendants of those buried there. Learn about the lives of the families connected to New Hope Cemetery and the broader history of Black cemetery preservation. This free presentation highlights the growing movement to honor and protect these important sites.
More info
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No more events.
Exhibit
Learn more through Library resources
Learn about the struggles, achievements, and contributions African American people have made throughout history. Try one of these titles or explore our collection by topic.
Titles
Topics
Take a deep dive into stories that give a different perspective, belly laugh, heartwarming hug, or gut-wrenching sorrow.
Titles
Topics
Enjoy beautifully illustrated titles that help children grow and love.
Titles
Topics
Don’t have time to sit down and read? Listen to an audiobook for free using your library card! Try one while driving, cooking, or relaxing.
Visit our Digital Library to learn more about digital audiobook resources, including Libby and Hoopla.
Read electronic books anytime using your library card. Access Libby, Hoopla, and more through our Digital Library.
Check out graphic novels for visually engaging storytelling.
Watch documentaries, motion pictures, and more through Kanopy and Hoopla.
Titles
Collections