# Celebrating Black Artists and History Makers
Every February, Black History & Futures Month gives us all the opportunity to learn about and uplift Black excellence through history and in the present day. Whether it's honoring the historical achievements of Black leaders, artists, athletes, and astronauts or it's celebrating the movers and shakers and taste makers of today: Jacksonville Public Library has an AMAZING collection of books written by and for African American people as well as a great lineup of public programs to help you and your family learn from those stories.
# Events and Programs You May Like...
An Afternoon with Romance Novelist Brenda Jackson
The Friends of Bradham and Brooks Library invites you to join them for an engaging conversation with this New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of 149 acclaimed romance novels and novellas in her hometown of Jacksonville, FL. An audience Q&A and book signing follow the interview.
Note: Please bring your own copies of the author's books to be signed. Books will not be sold at the event. This event is free (no registration required).
Saturday, February 8, from 2-4 p.m. | Bradham & Brooks Branch
Crash Course: Black American History (A Kanopy Series)
Learn about Black American History, from the arrival of the first enslaved Black people who arrived at Jamestown all the way to the Black Lives Matter movement, over the course of 51 short films. Catch them on the big screen at Westbrook Branch Library on select Mondays and Saturday afternoons starting February 8 at 3:30 p.m. Note: Kanopy is a streaming video service. To access Kanopy for FREE at home or on your personal devices, you just need a Jacksonville Public Library card. Learn more about Kanopy and other free digital library apps on our Not So Secret Menu.
125 Years of "Lift Every Voice and Sing"
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. 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).
Special Children's Programs
Throughout February (Black History Month), all 21 Jacksonville Public Library locations will offer a special event program for children (ages 5-12) centered around "Lift Every Voice and Sing" and Jacksonville's native sons and world citizens, the Johnson brothers. Kids will read an uplifting story, discover the history of the song, explore the role it played in the Civil Rights Movement, and create their own affirmations to carry them into the future!
Featured Book: I Believe I Can, by Grace Byers. Note: Attendance is limited and is first-come, first-served. Please arrive early (check in starts 30 minutes prior to the start of the program).
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, a full-time writer of crime thrillers, horror and nonfiction, including A View From My Seat: My Season With the Jumbo Shrimp.
Tuesday, Feb. 25, at 7 p.m. | Highlands Library
# Book Recommendations
Throughout the month, the Library will highlight books in our collection by and about people in the African American community. We love to share selections that demonstrate the range of our collection all year and we encourage you to explore these books with us!
Explore the African American History Collection
The African American History Collection at the Main Library brings to life the historical, social, civic, religious, economic and cultural life of African Americans living in Northeast Florida through books, pamphlets, photographs, newspapers, documents, microforms, multimedia and more. Explore more than 1,000 subject and biography files with unique photographs, person papers and primary source materials during your visit. Discover actual slave manifests from nearby ports and read local African American newspapers. Or learn about African American art, cooking, music and local landmarks.
The Historical Newspapers: Black Newspapers online database provides easily-searchable access to a historical newspaper collection covering 1893 – 2010 that includes first-hand accounts and unparalleled coverage of the politics, society and events of the time. Access to this database is made possible through the generosity of the Mellon Foundation.
