# Free Adult Programs in February
"Lift Every Voice and Sing" was written by James Weldon Johnson and later set to music by his brother, J. Rosamond Johnson. At the time, James was the principal of Edwin M. Stanton School here in Jacksonville, FL. What began as a poem in commemoration of Abraham Lincoln's birthday, turned into a hymn themed around the struggles of African Americans following the Reconstruction Era and the passage of Jim Crow laws in the South. In 1917, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) began to promote the song as the "Black National Anthem."
The Friends of Brentwood Library, Inc. and its founder and matriarch, Sharon Coon, invite you to celebrate the 125th anniversary of "Lift Every Voice and Sing" at free, public events February 12-16, 2025, at the Conference Center at Main Library and in other venues throughout Jacksonville.
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Celebrating 125 Years of "Lift Every Voice and Sing"
February 12-16, you will have the opportunity to experience "The Poor People's Campaign" Smithsonian Institution Exhibition; enjoy engaging speakers from Florida Humanities and their "Florida Talks" program and public dialogues about race relations and community building; catch a film screening with Jacksonville's own Norman Studios; meet local author and civil rights activist Rodney L. Hurst, Sr.; and more!
The whole family is invited to Festival Celebrations on Saturday, February 15, from 12-4 p.m. at James Weldon Johnson Park (135 W. Monroe St.) and the Lift Every Voice and Sing Park (120 Lee St.). Or, stop by the Ritz Theatre and LaVilla Museum (829 N. Davis St.) on Saturday, February 16, from 2-3:30 p.m. for fun family activities, prizes, food and art vendors, and more. You can also take a free tour of the museum, including the "Lift Ev'ry Voice and Sing" exhibition (part of the permanent collection).
# History & Genealogy
A Special Life Lab Workshop
North Florida Genealogical Society will present an overview of genealogy research including research best practices, resources and more that you can apply to your personal genealogy projects. Instructors will also cover how to use: Census Records, the Freedman's Bureau and DNA.
African American Genealogy Workshop - Saturday, Feb. 1, at 3 p.m. | Highlands
Great Decisions Discussion Program Series
The mission of the Foreign Policy Association today, as it has been for over 100 years, is to serve as a catalyst for developing awareness, understanding, and informed opinion on U.S. foreign policy and global issues. That's why they created Great Decisions, America's largest discussion program on world affairs. Every year, eight topics are chosen by a panel of experts and discussed in libraries, schools and community centers across the United States.
Each program begins with a 30-minute film on a discussion topic and is followed by a group discussion, facilitated by a local subject matter expert.
Remaining Topics:
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AI and American National Security
- with Dr. Jasmine E. McNealy
- Monday, February 3, live on Zoom
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American Foreign Policy in the Middle East
- with Patrick Connell
- Thursday, February 6, at Southeast
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India: Between China, the West, and the Global South
- with Dr. Ritika Prasad
- Tuesday, February 18, live on Zoom
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International Cooperation on Climate Change
- with Dr. Kauffman
- Thursday, February 20, at Southeast
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The Future of NATO and European Security
- with Richard Reiter
- Wednesday, February 26, at Pablo Creek
Screening Room: There Was Always Sun Shining Someplace
A classic film of its subject, There Was Always Sun Shining Someplace chronicles the rich history of the Negro Baseball Leagues that flourished before Jackie Robinson integrated the major leagues in 1947. The exploits of these talented athletes and the times when baseball was a segregated sport are vividly brought to life. The screening will be followed by a group conversation led by Armand Rosamilia.
Tuesday, Feb. 25, at 7 p.m. | Highlands Library
Armand Rosamilia is a full-time writer of crime thrillers, horror and nonfiction, including A View From My Seat: My Season With the Jumbo Shrimp. He lives in Jacksonville and loves baseball (maybe more than anything except for his wife and kids).
# Authors, Books & Writing
Authors Roundtable: Words that Last (Writing for Legacy)
Participants will learn about crafting stories and ideas that resonate across generations, leaving a lasting cultural or social impact. Participants will learn how to use their writing to pass down wisdom, values, and experiences that future readers can learn from and cherish. Presented by Authors Roundtable of Northeast Florida - a 501c3 that supports authors reaching their highest potential. All genres are welcome.
Saturday, February 1, at 10:15 a.m. | Main Library (Conference Level)
Book Clubs in February
February is Library Lover's Month - a time to celebrate libraries and the people who use them. So stop in and check out a book (or twelve). You might also consider joining one (or more) of our Library Book Clubs. It's a great way to meet people and get more book recommendations. If you're busy or just looking for more accessible options, we've got plenty of digital apps and resources like Libby, hoopla Digital and Kanopy that you can use from home (explore our Not So Secret Menu to learn more).
Lit Chat Interview with Jennifer Coburn
Jennifer Coburn is a celebrated historical fiction author. Her latest book, The Girls of the Glimmer Factory, is an illuminating tale of resistance and the dangers of propaganda. Her other novel, Cradles of the Reich, is a historical novel about three very different women living at a Nazi Lebensborn at the start of World War ll. She has also published a mother-daughter travel memoir, We'll Always Have Paris, as well as six contemporary women's novels. She has also contributed to five literary anthologies, including A Paris All Your Own.
Wednesday, February 12, at 7 p.m. | Southeast Library
Register for the FREE author talk!
Did you know that all of our Lit Chat authors' books count toward your Jax Stacks Reading Challenge completion? Find out what authors we're hosting and join in on the fun!
# Other Adult Programs
Life Lab: Improve Your Day-to-Day Life
Grow your own garden or small business and take control of your health, career, and personal finances! Life Lit is now Life LAB - a series of free workshops offered by trained professionals and volunteers, aimed at improving your life. They cover a wide range of topics from gardening to financial literacy to small business needs. No need to bring anything but yourself to participate!
Upcoming Workshops:
- African American Genealogy Workshop - Saturday, Feb. 1, at 3 p.m. | Highlands
- Entrepreneurship: Elements of a Pitch - Monday, Feb. 3, at 6:30 p.m. | Bradham & Brooks Branch
- You CAN Garden In the Winter - Monday, Feb. 3, at 6:30 p.m. | Willow Branch
- Intro to Beekeeping - Thursday, Feb. 4, at 6 p.m. | Maxville Branch
- Basics of Container Gardening - Saturday, Feb. 8, at 11 a.m. | Main Library
- Propagation from Seeds - Tuesday, Feb. 11, at 6 p.m. | Murray Hill Branch
- Water Conservation and Your Garden - Saturday, Feb. 15, at 3 p.m. | Maxville Branch
- Propagation II - Seeds - Tuesday, Feb. 18, at 6:30 p.m. | University Park Branch
- Entrepreneurship - Saturday, Feb. 22, at 2 p.m. | Highlands
Search our events calendar for more workshops offered by our community partners at the Library.
