The library will join individuals and organizations across the country in February to pay tribute to the endurance, strength, and achievements of African Americans during Black History Month. All events are free and open to the public!
Don’t miss this month’s FREE book giveaway! Books by a noted author and poet will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis starting on Saturday, February 8, at all library locations. Beginning Saturday, February 8, free copies of Spoken Word: A Cultural History by Dr. Joshua Bennett will be available while supplies last. One of our featured speakers at our inaugural Back to Back Books festival in the fall, Bennett is a talented writer who serves as both a professor of Literature and the Distinguished Chair of the Humanities at MIT. He penned The Sobbing School in 2016, which was a National Poetry Series selection as well as a finalist for an NAACP Image Award. He also wrote Being Property Once Myself, Owed, and The Study of Human Life. About the book being given away, Kirkus magazine states that “the author traces the 50-year history of a vibrant literary form whose most prominent figures have been Black and brown poets, including Amiri Baraka, Sonia Sanchez, and Nikki Giovanni.” The reviewer states further that it “illuminates the profound influence spoken word has had everywhere melodious words are heard, from Broadway to academia, from the podiums of political protest to cafés, schools, and rooms full of strangers all across the world.”
Visit the Capitol Saturday, February 1, at 6pm for WCPL’s presentation of “Remembering Alice Dunnigan.” As the first Black woman journalist to be credentialed to the White House and Capitol press corps in 1947, Alice Allison Dunnigan’s name was frequently in both headlines and bylines during her lifetime. But due to the racism and sexism she faced, her accomplishments have not gotten their deserved place in history. During this presentation by author and journalist Bailey Vandiver, learn how residents of Dunnigan’s hometown, Russellville, Kentucky, and others have worked to resurrect and share her story through sculpture, writing, quilting and community events. Register for a free ticket online through the library’s calendar of events (warrenpl.org/events).
Enjoy “An Evening with Phyllis Biffle Elmore” Thursday, February 6, 6pm at the Bob Kirby Branch Library. Phyllis Biffle Elmore is a retired veteran of the US Air Force and Army, whose civilian career has included working as a counselor for incarcerated youth, survivors of domestic violence, and people suffering from alcohol and substance abuse. She has traveled extensively, telling the history of her grandmother’s quilts and their historical significance, also detailed in her memoir, Quilt of Souls. Her narrative paints portraits of extraordinary black women born before and after the Civil War – enslaved people, laundresses, storytellers, healers, and quilters – whose stories have gone untold until now. Free tickets are available online through the calendar of events.
The library’s movie lineup at the Capitol this month will feature a number of films highlighting the contribution and stories of black actors and artists. Those listed on the dates below are described in greater detail in the Capitol’s article on the facing page:
•Monday, February 6; 2pm & 6:30pm – A 1961 film starring Sidney Poitier.
•Thursday, February 13; 6:30pm – A romantic basketball story released in 2000.
•Saturday, February 15; 6:30pm – The 2022 Black Panther movie, co-sponsored by the BG Freedom Walkers.
•Thursday, February 20; 6:30pm – A Jordan Peele psychological horror film from 2019.
•Saturday, February 22 – A Spike Lee double feature with film #1 at 5pm; film #2 at 7:15pm
•Tuesday, February 25; 6:30pm – A 1975 “American Graffiti” variation featuring black teens.
Tickets are not required; concessions will be available for purchase.
The library aims to provide educational, equitable programming to all as well as enrich the lives of community members through free resources, services, and events throughout the year. All activities are listed on our online calendar (warrenpl.org/events). To stay updated, browse or subscribe to our online calendar, sign up for our email newsletter (https://tinyurl.com/WCPLNews), and follow us on social media (Instagram, Facebook, X).
-by Ashley Fowlkes, Digital Content Manager
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