African American History Month 2018

Black and white photograph of a group of African American men lined up, holding hands.

STILL FROM: I AM NOT YOUR NEGRO

The Legacy of James Baldwin

Free screening of I Am Not Your Negro, a visual representation of Baldwin’s thoughts on race and conflict in the U.S. and an inside look at his perspectives and provocative interviews.
Sat, Feb 24 at 11am • Louis Stokes Wing, 2nd Floor


An Evening of ExcellencePortrait of local television news anchor Ramona Robinson in a yellow blouse with blue light coming through a window behind her.

Celebrate achievements and contributions of outstanding African Americans with live jazz music, a youth performance, light refreshments, and a motivational presentation by keynote speaker Romona Robinson, Cleveland news anchor and author of the inspirational memoir A Dirt Road to Somewhere. Books will be available for sale at the event and a book signing will follow.
Sat, Feb 24 from 6–8pm • Rice Branch

 

Group of African American women wearing traditional African clothing, standing by a tree

Chimu

Chioma Onukwuire, founder of Chimu, a Cleveland-based African clothing business, makes African fashion more accessible to Americans. She will introduce you to African clothing along with the artisans and African clothing makers with whom she partners to share their wares stateside.
Sat, Feb 3 at 1pm • Lorain Branch

 
Reflections of a Resolute Radical book jacket with the author Don Freeman standing in front of stairs in the Main Library

Author Visit: Reflections of a Resolute Radical

A founding member of the Revolutionary Action Movement (forerunner of the Black Panther Party), organizer of Cleveland’s Afro-American Institute, former director of the League Park Community Center, and grassroots activist Don Freeman brings 1960s Cleveland to life through first-hand accounts of activism, advocacy and politics; work with Malcolm X, Stokely Carmichael (Kwame Turé), Dr. King, and other leaders; and a look at the front lines of the struggle for the liberation of all oppressed peoples, especially those of African descent in the U.S.
Fri, Feb 16 at 6:30pm • Louis Stokes Wing, 2nd Floor

Introduction to African American Genealogy

Dr. Deborah Abbott, adjunct faculty at the Institute of Genealogy & Historical Research and Trustee of the Ohio Genealogical Society, leads an interactive workshop on genealogy basics with a focus on African American genealogy and researching our slavery ancestry.
Sat, Feb 17 from 10am–12pm • Woodland Branch