DPPL Celebrates Black History Month

Happening at the library

DPPL Celebrates Black History Month

Picture of Heather Imhoff — by **Heather**
02.25.20

February is Black History Month and throughout the month we have celebrated at the library with events and displays to honor the contributions of African Americans, past and present.

A little history.....

Black History Month is an annual observance in February, celebrating the past and present achievements of African Americans.

In 1915, Dr. Carter G. Woodson—historian, teacher, and author—founded the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH).

In February 1926, Woodson proposed the establishment of Negro History Week to honor the history of African Americans, and their contributions to American life.

Dr. Woodson, known as the Father of Black History, chose the second week of February because it commemorates the birthdays of 2 men who greatly affected the African American community: Abraham Lincoln (February 12) and Frederick Douglass (February 14).

Negro History Week became Black History Week in the early 1970s.

Author, speaker, and educator, Michelle Duster explains the racial divisions of the suffrage movement and how the struggle for African American women to be included extends to today when it comes to documentation and commemorations of the movement. — Michelle Duster, great-granddaughter of civil rights pioneer Ida B. Wells, speaking to a full-house at DPPL on February 22, 2020.

In 1976, the week-long observance was expanded to a month in honor of the nation’s bicentennial. Black History Month continues to be sponsored by ASALH, its founding organization, who also designates its annual theme.

The 2020 theme is African Americans and the Vote.

Even though the suffrage movement was focused on women gaining the right to vote, the battle was mostly fought separately along racial lines. White women shunned and marginalized African American women, which propelled them to form their own groups.

On February 22nd Des Plaines Public Library welcomed the great-granddaughter of civil rights pioneer Ida B. Wells, Michelle Duster to the library.

African American Suffragist Program at DPPL

In a presentation entitled African American Suffragists and the Struggle for Representation she explained the racial divisions of the suffrage movement and how the struggle for African American women to be included extends to today when it comes to documentation and commemorations of the movement.

And because one month is not near enough time to recognize and honor the rich and diverse history and important contributions and achievements of African Americans.

Here are some of our book, film and music recommendations to keep the celebration going year round.

Feature DVD

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DPPL Celebrates Black History Month

Black History Month is an annual observance in February, celebrating the past and present achievements of African Americans.

In February 1926, Woodson proposed the establishment of Negro History Week to honor the history of African Americans, and their contributions to American life.

Negro History Week became Black History Week in the early 1970s.

The 2020 theme is African Americans and the Vote.

On February 22nd Des Plaines Public Library welcomed the great-granddaughter of civil rights pioneer Ida B. Wells, Michelle Duster to the library.

Here are some of our book, film and music recommendations to keep the celebration going year round.

Maya Angelou: And Still I Rise

What Happened, Miss Simone?

Blood Done Sign My Name

Coming To America

Such a Fun Age by Kiley Reid

Stateways Garden: Stories by Jasmon Drain

The Hate You Give by Angie Thomas

Red at the Bone by Jacqueline Woodson

All American Boys by Jason Reynolds

Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison

Black Enough by Ibi Zoboi

A Blade So Black by L.L. McKinney

Opposite of Always by Justin A. Reynolds

Slay by Brittney Morris

Stony the road: Reconstruction, white supremacy, and the rise of Jim Crow by Henry Louis Gate Jr.

Devil in the Grove : Thurgood Marshall, the Groveland Boys, and the Dawn of a new America by Gilbert King

The Sun Does Shine by Anthony Ray Hinton

Between the world and me by Ta-Nehisi Coates

The Master Plan by Chris Wilson

Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You by Jason Reynolds (publishing on March 10)

The Electric Lady by Janelle Monae

March. Book one

Dear Martin by Nic Stone

100 Best African American Poems Ed. Nikki Giovanni

Visit us at 1501 Ellinwood St.

Monday - Friday	9am – 9pm
Saturday	9am – 5pm
Sunday	1pm – 5pm

Black History Month is an annual observance in February, celebrating the past and present achievements of African Americans.

In February 1926, Woodson proposed the establishment of Negro History Week to honor the history of African Americans, and their contributions to American life.

Negro History Week became Black History Week in the early 1970s.

The 2020 theme is African Americans and the Vote.

On February 22nd Des Plaines Public Library welcomed the great-granddaughter of civil rights pioneer Ida B. Wells, Michelle Duster to the library.

Here are some of our book, film and music recommendations to keep the celebration going year round.

Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You by Jason Reynolds (publishing on March 10)

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Visit us at 1501 Ellinwood St.