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Celebrate Black History Month with Mandel Public Library

During the month of February, the Mandel Public Library will showcase a variety of events — both in person and virtually — to honor Black History Month. These events are for both the young and the old — and are free to attend. For more information on the following events and to register, visit wpbcitylibrary.org or call 561-868-7703 (unless otherwise noted). 

Black History Month: “Traveling While Black” – A Virtual Reality Experience 
Wednesdays, 4:30 PM – 6:30 PM / Saturdays, 12:30 PM – 4:30 PM
Digital Studios, 2nd Floor
FREE – no registration required

Witness what it was like to travel through the mid-20th century United States as an African American in this Emmy-nominated virtual reality documentary experience, “Traveling While Black.” Request to view this 20-minute experience at the 2nd floor information desk. You must be at least 15 years old. 

Sunshine & Stories Celebrates Black History Month
Monday, February 1 from 10:30 AM – 11:30 AM
Library Courtyard
FREE – registration is required (one per family)

For families with children up to 5 years old. Join Children’s Librarian Ms. Jeanne for a special edition storytime celebrating Black History Month. Ms. Jeanne will share “Charlie Parker Played Be Bop” by Chris Racshka and “What a Wonderful World” by Bryan Ashley and David Weiss with music by Louis Armstrong. Children will receive a take-home arts and crafts kit. For your comfort, please bring a blanket for seating during storytime. 

Black History Month Author Talk with Ersula Knox-Odom: “Doris Ross Reddick: One Person Can Make a Difference”
Tuesday, February 2 from 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM
Live on Zoom
FREE

Join writer and motivational speaker Ersula K. Odom as she discusses her book “Doris Ross Reddick: One Person Can Make a Difference.” Learn about Doris Ross Reddick, the first Black woman to serve on and chair the Hillsborough County School Board and how, with her soft voice and firm hand, she made a difference. No registration required. Visit the library online calendar for the Zoom link.

Black History Month: African Drumming
Saturday, February 6
1:00 PM – 1:30 PM, for children in grades K-2
1:30 PM – 2:00 PM, for children in grades 3-5
Auditorium, 3rd Floor
FREE

Afrique Ngozi Dance and Drum Inc. will present a lively African Drumming class for elementary-age children. Explore basic drumming techniques while learning about the history of the instruments. Registration is required and limited to 16 children per session. 

Black History Month: SaSa African Dance Theater Performance
Saturday, February 6 
2:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Live on Zoom
FREE 

Join Shelia Moorehead and the SaSa African Dance theater as they perform a traditional African Dance for you to enjoy. The SaSa African Dance Theater is a performance collective dedicated to the performance, education, and expression of music and dance from the African Diaspora. No registration required. Visit the library online calendar for the Zoom link.

Sweetheart’s Book Club Celebrates Black History Month
Thursday, February 11 from 6:30 PM – 7:30 PM
Live on Zoom
FREE 

Sweetheart’s Book Club focuses on romance books with people of color or LGBTQ+ main characters. Join us this month for a discussion showcasing African American romance authors. No registration required. Visit the library online calendar for the Zoom link. 

Tech Lab Celebrates Black History Month
Thursday, February 18
4:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Auditorium, 3rd Floor
FREE

For kids in grades K-5. Nurture problem-solving skills, logic, and creativity with Hour of Code. All skill levels are welcome. Registration is required and limited to 5 children in-person. For more information or to register, visit wpbcitylibrary.org or call 561-868-7703.

KidSpace Book Club Celebrates Black History Month – “Two Friends: Susan B. Anthony and Frederick Douglass” by Dean Robbins
Saturday, February 20 from 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Auditorium, 3rd Floor
FREE

Kids in grades K-5 are invited to listen to a read-aloud of the book “Two Friends: Susan B. Anthony and Frederick Douglass” by Dean Robbins and engage in a discussion. Registrants will receive a Grab & Go Kit to decorate their own paper teacup. Registration is required and limited to 16 children in-person. 

Black History Month Bingo
Thursday, February 25
4:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Auditorium, 3rd Floor
FREE

Kids in grades K-5 are invited to play a game of Bingo while learning about African American leaders. Bingo winners will receive a book written by an African American author. Registration is required and is limited to 15 children.

Black History Month: “White Fragility” Book Discussion
Tuesday, February 16 from 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM
Live on Zoom
FREE

Africa Fine, Associate Professor and Department Co-Chair of English and Literature at Palm Beach State College, returns to discuss the book “White Fragility” by Robin DiAngelo. Join us for an intriguing and timely discussion. No registration required. Visit the library online calendar for the Zoom link. For more information, visit wpbcitylibrary.org or call 561-868-7701.

Tech Lab Celebrates Black History Month
Thursday, February 18
4:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Live on Zoom

For kids in grades K-5. Nurture problem-solving skills, logic, and creativity with Hour of Code. All skill levels are welcome. To participate on Zoom, registration and an active email address are required. Registrants will receive a Zoom link by email one hour before the start of the event. For more information or to register, visit wpbcitylibrary.org or call 561-868-7703.

KidSpace Book Club Celebrates Black History Month – “Two Friends: Susan B. Anthony and Frederick Douglass” by Dean Robbins
Saturday, February 20 from 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Live on Zoom
FREE

Kids in grades K-5 are invited to listen to a read-aloud of the book “Two Friends: Susan B. Anthony and Frederick Douglass” by Dean Robbins and engage in a discussion. Registrants will receive a Grab & Go Kit to decorate their own paper teacup. Those attending virtually will need to pick up their kit at the library prior to the program. To participate on Zoom, registration and an active email address are required. Registrants will receive a Zoom link by email one hour before the start of the event. For more information or to register, visit wpbcitylibrary.org or call 561-868-7703.

Black History Month Bingo
Thursday, February 25
4:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Auditorium, 3rd Floor
FREE

Kids in grades K-5 are invited to play a game of Bingo while learning about African American leaders. Bingo winners will receive a book written by an African American author. Registration is required and is limited to 15 children. For more information or to register, visit wpbcitylibrary.org or call 561-868-7703.

25Black History Month: Thursday Classic Movie – “The Color Purple”
Thursday, February 25 from 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Auditorium, 3rd Floor
FREE 

Join us for a new movie program every second and fourth Thursday of the month featuring classic movies. On February 25, enjoy 1985’s “The Color Purple” starring Danny Glover, Whoopie Goldberg, and Oprah Winfrey. Registration is required and limited to 17 people. For more information or to register, visit wpbcitylibrary.org or call 561-868-7701.

Teen Book Club Celebrates Black History Month – “Pride” by Ibi Zoboi
Saturday, February 27 from 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM
TeenSource, 2nd Floor
FREE

Teens and tweens grades 6-12 are invited to discuss Ibi Zoboi’s “Pride.” Celebrate Black History Month with this sweet and smart remix of “Pride & Prejudice.” “Pride” is available as an ebook and e-audiobook through the hoopla digital app. Physical copies are also available for check out from KidSpace on the 3rd floor. Registration is required and limited to 6 participants. For more information or to register, visit wpbcitylibrary.org or call 561-868-7703.

 

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