Celebrate arts and culture this Black History Month with EPL

Mark your calendars for activities honoring the contributions of Black American happening throughout February

EVANSTON, IL. – Black History Month is a time to step back and more specifically acknowledge and celebrate the centuries of contributions Black Americans have made to culture, the arts, politics and social justice movements. 

The Evanston Public Library is celebrating throughout the month of February with a special collection of programming that celebrates the contributions of Black Americans with lectures and events, health and wellness programs, creative outlets for joy and expression, and book group selections lifting Black voices. Mark your calendars for programs coming this February:

Special Programs For Adults

• Jan. 27: A Decade to Remember, Behind the Scenes. Go behind the scenes of the exhibit at the Main Library with Shorefront Legacy Center Founder Dino Robinson to learn about the legacy of the Norshore Twelve and its annual cotillion. In person. Saturday, Jan. 27, 3-4:30 p.m. Main Library. Register. 
• Feb. 2: Sip & Paint Black History Month Kickoff. We’ll bring the paint and supplies. You buy the beer. Ages 21+. In person. Friday, Feb. 2, 6-8 p.m. Temperance Beer Co. Register. 
• Feb. 6 & 13: Black Abstract Art and Black Imaginations. Learn from Professor Emerita D. Soyini Madison of Northwestern's Department of Performance Studies in this two-session mini-course. Tuesdays, Feb. 6, and Feb. 13. 6-7:30 p.m., online and in-person at the Main Library. Register.
• Feb. 7: The AUX with Tiffini Holmes: A Lunch & Learn Event. Discover The AUX, an exciting new commercial hub in Evanston creating space and opportunities for Black entrepreneurs. Wednesday, Feb. 7, 12-3 p.m. Main Library. Register. 
• Feb. 14: Open Mic & Karaoke Night. Showcase your talents with open mic performances followed by karaoke. Ages. 21+. Wednesday, Feb. 14, 6:30-8 p.m. Double Clutch Brewing.  Register. 
• Feb. 16: Organ Donation and African Americans: Myths and Misconceptions. In partnership with the Illinois Secretary of State. Friday, Feb. 16, 5:30 - 6:30 p.m. Robert Crown Branch. Register. 
• Feb. 21: Finding Jean Baptiste Pointe DuSable: Chicago’s Black Father. Join Associate Professor of History and African American Studies Courtney Pierre Joseph for a talk about the life and times of Jean Baptiste Pointe DuSable. Wednesday, February 21, 6:30-7:30 p.m. Main Library. Register. 
• Feb. 24: Matinee Movie @ Main Celebrating Black History: Summer of Soul. (...Or, When the Revolution Could Not Be Televised). Watch and discuss Questlove’s documentary celebrating the legendary 1969 Harlem Cultural Festival. Saturday, Feb. 24. 3-5:15 p.m. Main Library. More info. 
• Feb. 27: Mental Health in Black Communities: A Panel Discussion. Experts will discuss the intersection of shared experience, inequities, and mental health access. Tuesday, Feb. 27: 6:30-7:30 p.m. Robert Crown Branch. Register. 

Programs for Kids, Teens and Families

Feb. 11: Matinee Movie @ Main Celebrating Black History: The Little Mermaid. (2023). Join us at 1 p.m. for a craft in the Children’s Art Garden, followed by the screening at 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 11, 1-4:30 p.m. Main Library. More info.

Feb. 20: Teen Snack & Paint. Embrace your inner royal as we make crowns and learn about crowns from different nations in Africa. Tuesday, Feb. 20, 4-6 p.m. Robert Crown Branch. Register. 

Feb 23: Black Family Game Night. Join us for an evening of great food, fun, trivia and games in celebration of Black History Month! Friday, Feb. 23, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Robert Crown Branch. Register.

Book Clubs

Several of our book clubs and author events this month will also be highlighting works by Black authors. Join us for:

• Graphic Novel Book Club for Kids. Frizzy, by Claribel A. Ortega and Rose Bousamra. Stop by the children’s desk to pick up a copy to read beforehand. Grades 3-5. Sat. Feb. 3, 11am-12pm. Main Library. Register. 
• A Conversation with Jerry Craft: From Mama’s Boyz to New Kid and Beyond. Join author-illustrator of #1 New York Times bestselling graphic novels New Kid, and its companion books Class Act and School Trip. Tuesday, Feb. 6, 7-8 p.m. Virtual. Sign up.
• Science Fiction & Fantasy Book Group. A Master of Djinn, by P. Djèlí Clark. Nebula, Locus, and Alex Award-winner P. Djèlí Clark returns to his popular alternate Cairo universe for his fantasy novel debut, A Master of Djinn. Wednesday, Feb. 7, 7-8:30 p.m. Virtual. Sign up!
• Wider Net Book Group: I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou.  Angelou’s classic about the longing of lonely children, the brute insult of bigotry, and the wonder of words that can make the world right. Monday, Feb. 19, 6-7:30 p.m. Main Library. Sign up. 
• Better Off Read Book Club: The Three of Us, by Ore Agbaje-Williams. A triptych of domestic life that explores cultural truths, what it means to defy them, and the fine line between compromise and betrayal when it comes to ourselves and the people we're meant to love. Monday, Feb. 26, 6:30-7:45 p.m. Main Library. Sign up. 

• Virtual True Crime Book Group: White Hot Hate, by Dick Lehr. The riveting true story of an averted case of domestic terrorism against the Somali community in one of the most remote towns in the US. Tuesday, Feb. 27, 7-8:30 p.m. Virtual. Register. 

• Don’t Sweat the Technique with Author Melissa S. Foster. Join Northwestern professor and author Melissa S. Foster for a discussion of her book that equips aspiring performers with the tools and knowledge needed to become better rappers. Thursday, Feb. 29, 6:30-7:30 p.m. Robert Crown Branch. Register.

EPL EXTRA

'Black Panther' costume designer Ruth E. Carter talks tradition and imagination March 20

The Evanston Public Library does not limit its work uplifting Black creators to just the month of February. Join EPL, Illinois Libraries Present, and two-time Academy Award winner Ruth E. Carter for her talk Interweaving Tradition & Imagination Through Costume Design. Carter is the first Black person to win the Academy Awards Costume Design category for her work on Black Panther and visits us virtually on March 20. Wednesday, March 20, 2024 from 7:00pm - 8:00pm.

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