St. Louis Public Library

The St. Louis Public Library is proud to celebrate Black History Month 2012 with a full slate of programs throughout the system. This year's national theme is "Black Women in American History and Culture."

 

All Black History Month activities at the St. Louis Public Library are FREE and open to the public, but seating is limited and on a first-come, first-served basis. Please call the appropriate Branch to reserve space.

For more information, see the commemorative Black History Month booklet available at St. Louis Public Library locations throughout the city or visit the Library's website at slpl.org.

 

February 1

Schlafly | 225 N. Euclid Ave., 314-367-4120 | 10-11 a.m.

Family Night: Miss Tillie's Corner

Children participate in owning, working in, and shopping in Miss Tillie's pretend store. A fun way to learn history as well as utilize math, reading, and writing skills. Participation surprises. Grades 2-5

 

February 2

Schlafly| 225 N. Euclid Ave., 314-367-4120 | 4-5 p.m.

Jump Around!

"Let's Move!" is First Lady Michelle Obama's fitness initiative. Try jump rope, hula hoop, and Dance Dance Revolution. Grades 6-12

 

February 2

Julia Davis | 4415 Natural Bridge Ave., 314-383-3021 | 6-7:30 p.m.

Book Talk/Panel Discussion

Dr. Priscilla Dowden-White leads a discussion on the role of black women in American history and culture.

 

February 4

Schlafly| 225 N. Euclid Ave., 314-367-4120 | 3-5 p.m.

Book Discussion & Signing

Jamala Rogers discusses and signs her book, The Best of the Way I See It. Adults

 

February 6

All Branches| All Day

African-American Read-In Chain

Celebrate African-American authors.

 

February 6

Barr| 1701 S. Jefferson Ave., 314-771-7040 | 10-11 a.m.

Where Would We Be Without Thee?

Storyteller Loretta Washington portrays Phyllis Wheatley, Sojourner Truth, and Harriet Tubman in this original program that celebrates the contributions of African-American women. Grades 3-6

 

February 6

Machacek| 6424 Scanlan Ave., 314-781-2948 | 10-11:30 a.m.

Our Eyes Are Watching Zora

View the documentary Zora Neale Hurston: Jump at the Sun. Hurston was a path-breaking novelist and anthropologist who established the African-American vernacular as one of the most vital, inventive voices in American literature. Adults

 

February 6

Cabanne| 1106 Union Blvd., 314-367-0717 | 4-5 p.m.

Jump Around!

"Let's Move!" is First Lady Michelle Obama's fitness initiative. Try jump rope, hula hoop, and Dance Dance Revolution. Grades 6-12

 

February 6

Schlafly | 225 N. Euclid Ave., 314-367-4120 | 6-8 p.m.

Film: Wild Women Don't Have the Blues

Depicts how the blues were born out of the economic and social transformation of African-American life. All ages

 

February 7

Carpenter| 3309 S. Grand Blvd., 314-772-6586 | 6-7:30 p.m.

Book Discussion & Signing

Jamala Rogers discusses and signs her book, The Best of the Way I See It. Adults

 

February 7

Julia Davis | 4415 Natural Bridge Ave., 314-383-3021 | 6-8 p.m.

Film: Standing on My Sister's Shoulders

This documentary tells the story of the three Mississippi women who in 1965 walked into the U.S. House of Representatives seeking their civil rights. Adults

 

February 8

Cabanne| 1106 Union Blvd., 314-367-0717 | 1:30-2:30 p.m.

Film: At the River I Stand

Documentary of two 1968 events in the Civil Rights Movements—the Sanitation Workers Strike in Memphis, Tennessee, and the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Adults

 

February 8

Kingshighway|2260 S. Vandeventer Ave., 314-771-5450| 3:30-5:30 p.m.

Seeking the Past

Learn more about African-American women of achievement by completing a fun scavenger hunt through the Branch. Grades K-5/Families

 

February 8

Baden| 8448 Church Rd., 314-388-2400 | 4-5 p.m.

Writing Away the Blues

Write and enjoy poetry while listening to Billie Holiday, Lena Horne, and other female African-American performers. Grades 6-12

 

February 8

WalnutPark | 5760 West Florissant Ave., 314-383-1210 | 4-5 p.m.

Jump Around!

"Let's Move!" is First Lady Michelle Obama's fitness initiative. Try jump rope, hula hoop, and Dance Dance Revolution. Grades 6-12

 

February 9

Barr| 1701 S. Jefferson Ave., 314-771-7040 |4-5 p.m.

Jump Around!

"Let's Move!" is First Lady Michelle Obama's fitness initiative. Try jump rope, hula hoop, and Dance Dance Revolution. Grades 6-12

 

February 9

Baden | 8448 Church Rd., 314-388-2400 | 4:30-5:30 p.m.

Bringing Color to the Canvas

St. Louis City Open Studio and Gallery (SCOSAG) presents a hands-on painting workshop featuring the concepts and techniques of celebrated Harlem Renaissance painter, Lois Mailu Jones. [NOTE: Wear an old shirt.] Grades 6-12

 

February 13

Cabanne | 1106 Union Blvd., 314-367-0717 | 3:30-5:30 p.m.

Seeking the Past

Learn more about African-American women of achievement by completing a fun scavenger hunt through the Branch. Grades K-5/Families

 

February 13

Divoll | 4234 N. Grand Blvd., 314-534-0313 | 4-5 p.m.

Jump Around!

"Let's Move!" is First Lady Michelle Obama's fitness initiative. Try jump rope, hula hoop, and Dance Dance Revolution. Grades 6-12

 

February 13

Schlafly | 225 N. Euclid Ave., 314-367-4120 | 6-8 p.m.

Films: Quiltmakers of Gee's BendandFor My People: The Life and Writing of Margaret Walker

Quiltmakers of Gee's Bend records and relates the lives of the women of Gee's Bend, Alabama, who for more than 150 years have made quilts reflecting their history and daily lives. For My People gives long-overdue recognition to one of American literature's seminal figures. All ages

 

February 14

Divoll | 4234 N. Grand Blvd., 314-534-0313 | 10-11 a.m.

Gimme Wings

A one-woman show that centers on Celeste, a young aviation student who longs to fly but hates learning about the history of aviation. Grades 4-12

 

February 14

Kingshighway | 2260 S. Vandeventer Ave., 314-771-5450| 4-5 p.m.

Jump Around!

"Let's Move!" is First Lady Michelle Obama's fitness initiative. Try jump rope, hula hoop, and Dance Dance Revolution. Grades 6-12

 

February 14

Julia Davis | 4415 Natural Bridge Ave., 314-383-3021 | 6-8 p.m.

Film: Ida B. Wells: A Passion for Justice

Chronicles the life of early African-American journalist and activist Ida B. Wells, who protested lynching, the treatment of black soldiers, and other forms of racism and injustice at the turn of the twentieth century. Adults

 

February 15

Julia Davis | 4415 Natural Bridge Ave., 314-383-3021 | 4-5 p.m.

Jump Around!

"Let's Move!" is First Lady Michelle Obama's fitness initiative. Try jump rope, hula hoop, and Dance Dance Revolution. Grades 6-12

 

February 15

Carpenter| 3309 S. Grand Blvd., 314-772-6586 | 4-5 p.m.

Annie Malone: Pioneer of Black Cosmetology

Storyteller and actress Carole Shelton portrays Annie in an original dramatic monologue. Teens

 

February 15

Schlafly | 225 N. Euclid Ave., 314-367-4120 | 6-7 p.m.

Rhema International Drama & Dance Presents: In the Midst of It All I Made It

Drama-and-dance presentation about a young woman facing and conquering life's challenges. Q&A follows. Families

 

February 16

Carpenter| 3309 S. Grand Blvd., 314-772-6586 | 4-5 p.m.

Jump Around!

"Let's Move!" is First Lady Michelle Obama's fitness initiative. Try jump rope, hula hoop, and Dance Dance Revolution. Grades 6-12

 

February 18

Buder| 4401 Hampton Ave., 314-352-2900 | 2-3 p.m.

Bringing Color to the Canvas

St. Louis City Open Studio and Gallery (SCOSAG) presents a hands-on painting workshop featuring the concepts and techniques of celebrated Harlem Renaissance painter, Lois Mailu Jones. [NOTE: Wear an old shirt.] Grades 6-12

 

February 18

Julia Davis | 4415 Natural Bridge Ave., 314-383-3021 | 2-3:30 p.m.

Book Discussion & Signing

Linda Porter-Harrison discusses her book, Think Like a Man… And Here's a Thought… Start Acting Like a Man.Her talk concentrates on a love-and-relationship angle from the African-American women's point of view. Adults

 

February 21

Machacek| 6424 Scanlan Ave., 314-781-2948 | 10-11 a.m.

Gimme Wings

A one-woman show that centers on Celeste, a young aviation student who longs to fly but hates learning about the history of aviation. Grades 4-12

 

February 21

Buder| 4401 Hampton Ave., 314-352-2900 | 4-5 p.m.

Jump Around!

"Let's Move!" is First Lady Michelle Obama's fitness initiative. Try jump rope, hula hoop, and Dance Dance Revolution. Grades 6-12

 

February 21

Julia Davis | 4415 Natural Bridge Ave., 314-383-3021 | 6-8 p.m.

Film: Journey to Little Rock: The Untold Story of Minnijean Brown Trickey

This documentary tells the amazing journey of the heart, mind, and spirit of the Little Rock Nine. Adults

 

February 22

Baden| 8448 Church Rd., 314-388-2400 | 3:30-5:30 p.m.

Seeking the Past

Learn more about African-American women of achievement by completing a fun scavenger hunt through the Branch. Grades K-5/Families

 

February 22

Machacek| 6424 Scanlan Ave., 314-781-2948 | 4-5 p.m.

Jump Around!

"Let's Move!" is First Lady Michelle Obama's fitness initiative. Try jump rope, hula hoop, and Dance Dance Revolution. Grades 6-12

 

February 22

Schlafly | 225 N. Euclid Ave., 314-367-4120 | 7-8 p.m.

Black Women in Music

Storytellers Rosie "Ms. Felix" Willis and Fred "Jellyjaw" Johnson present contributions of African-American women to music. Families

 

February 23

Baden| 8448 Church Rd., 314-388-2400 | 4-5 p.m.

Jump Around!

"Let's Move!" is First Lady Michelle Obama's fitness initiative. Try jump rope, hula hoop, and Dance Dance Revolution. Grades 6-12

 

February 23

WalnutPark | 5760 West Florissant Ave., 314-383-1210 | 5:30-6:30 p.m.

Zora Neale Hurston: Black Anthropologist

Jason Vasser discusses the Harlem Renaissance as it relates to the creative arts and serves as a vehicle for social commentary and dialogue. Adults

 

February 23

Schlafly | 225 N. Euclid Ave., 314-367-4120 | 7-8 p.m.

Family Night: Stories & Craft

Make an African rain stick. Families

 

February 26

ChristChurch Cathedral | 1210 Locust St., 314-206-6779 | 2-4 p.m.

Keynote Address: Angela Davis

The social equality activist and author discusses this year's Black History Month theme, "Black Women in American History and Culture."

 

February 27

Schlafly | 225 N. Euclid Ave., 314-367-4120 | 6-8 p.m.

Film: Zora Neale Hurston: Jump at the Sun

Hurston was a path-breaking novelist and anthropologist who established the African-American vernacular as one of the most vital, inventive voices in American literature. All ages

 

February 28

Julia Davis | 4415 Natural Bridge Ave., 314-383-3021 | 6-8 p.m.

Film: Rivers of Change: The Legacy of Five Unheralded Women in Montgomeryand Their Struggle for Justice and Dignity: A Documentary

Examines the impact of five unheralded women on the Montgomery Bus Boycott. Using first-hand narrative the film highlights those who had personal relationships with the women as well as accounts by surviving members and their families. All ages

 

February 29

WalnutPark | 5760 West Florissant Ave., 314-383-1210 | 3:30-5:30 p.m.

Seeking the Past

Learn more about African-American women of achievement by completing a fun scavenger hunt throughout the Branch. Grades K-5/Families

 

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