Black, White and REaD: An Anniversary Affair

Cleveland Public Library Foundation Presents Black White and REaD Anniversary Affair

Put down your book, slip on your dancing shoes and head to Cleveland Public Library to party with a few literary greats for a good cause. On Saturday, November 16, the Cleveland Public Library Foundation will host “Black, White and REaD” 150th Anniversary Affair benefiting the Cleveland Public Library. The fundraiser celebrating the Library’s sesquicentennial will kick off at 6:30 p.m. at the Main Library and Louis Stokes Wing.

The Anniversary Affair will showcase the Library’s renowned collections as partygoers mingle with nationally recognized authors with ties to Ohio. Authors in attendance include Paula McLain who wrote New York Times bestseller The Paris Wife, D.M. Pulley, best-selling author of The Dead Key, American poet Philip Metres, Dan Chaon who wrote national bestseller Ill Will, and bestselling author Loung Ung whose memoir, First They Killed My Father, inspired a Netflix Original movie directed by Angelia Jolie.

Attendees will feast on literary-themed food and cocktails while they stroll through different parts of the Main Library’s unique finds and interactive technology. Our Special Collections highlight the Library’s greatest treasures such as the world’s largest collection about the game of chess and miniature books. Celebrants will get to turn ideas into reality in TechCentral, view our illustrious city through photos, documents, and interactive media in our Cleveland Digital Public Library, and peruse historic Brett Hall, where the current exhibit “The World of Puppets: From Stage to Screen” is now on display. The Anniversary Affair is a place to meet new friends and dance to the sounds of the Mike Petrone Band and other Cleveland favorites. Complimentary valet parking will be provided.

The Cleveland Public Library Foundation raises vital funds for the Library’s education and community programs. “The Foundation is integral to the operation of the Cleveland Public Library. Help us strengthen our role as a center for learning, a cultural institution, and a neighborhood access point for critical social services by attending this once-in-a-lifetime event,” says Felton Thomas, Jr., Executive Director and CEO of Cleveland Public Library.

Tickets are on sale now for “Black, White and REaD” celebrating 150 years of stories. General admission is $150. VIP tickets and sponsorship opportunities are also available. The VIP experience includes a special cocktail reception in the Cleveland Digital Public Library and a special invitation to a preview night of our upcoming Cleveland 20/20 exhibit.

For tickets and more information about the anniversary affair, visit https://cplfdn.org/cpl-anniversary-affair/. To learn more about the sponsorship opportunities please contact the Foundation office at (216) 623-2821 or email foundation@cpl.org.

PRESENTING SPONSOR of Black, White and REaD:

Medical Mutual; Other sponsors include AT&T, Bensch, Friedlander, Coplan & Aronoff LLP, Margaret W. Wong & Associates, PNC, Siemens, Sisters of Charity Foundation of Cleveland, Third Federal, Deb Hermann Creative, Cleveland Metropolitan Housing Authority, John Rowland, Key Bank, Cleveland Neighborhood Progress, Cuyahoga Community College, Cuyahoga Community College Foundation, Turner Construction, GE Lighting, Tracey McGurk/Samantha Joseph, Regency Construction, WCPN, Legal Aid Society of Cleveland, Cleveland Metropolitan School District, Regency Technologies, Greater Cleveland Foodbank, Western Reserve Historical Society, Bob Pincus, United Black Fund, Felton Thomas, Jr., Ciuni & Panichi

About Cleveland Public Library Foundation

The Cleveland Public Library Foundation exists to raise philanthropic support for Cleveland Public Library. The Foundation allows the Library to do more for the people of this community given the work outside the scope of traditional library services is not funded by the state and local tax dollars received by the Library. Please consider a gift to support one of Cleveland’s most valued community assets.