There is a common thread that follows the African American family from the age of slavery to modern times. This history provides powerful insight into the diversity, identity and representation of the Black family. Join us as we honor the legacy of African American families in the context of their storied past and present. Explore and create your family narrative as you learn to research ancestry, document cultural traditions and memorialize shared histories. All SLPL Black History Month programs are virtual and registration is required.
BLACK FAMILY BUSINESSES IN ST. LOUIS COLLECTION
St. Louis Public Library needs your help to build an amazing new online collection which will feature and highlight the inspiring history of black-owned business in St. Louis. Do you have memorabilia such as photographs, advertisements, letterhead, publications or office records from past black-owned businesses in the area? By donating these items to SLPL, you will help preserve the rich history and to share the stories of these businesses with future generations. Once created, this online collection will be accessible to the public through the Library's website.
FAMOUS FAMILIES: BLACK HISTORY MONTH QUIZ
Learn about famous African American families and test your knowledge. Click here to get started!
Feb. 1-28 / All ages
“GREEN BOOK” JOURNEY
Learn about the history of the “Green Book,” a guide that helped African Americans travel safely during the mid-20th Century. Using a real “Green Book,” attendees will pick destinations and recreate the journey a family might have taken today.
Feb. 4 / Virtual / 4-5 p.m. / School ages
FAMILY QUILT SQUARE
Learn about family quilts, then design and decorate a quilt square for your family using simple paper craft supplies. Don’t have construction paper at home? Register for the program and pickup a Take & Make Kit at Buder, Carondelet, Machacek or Marketplace Libraries.
Feb. 9 / Virtual / 3-4 p.m. / Families
WHAT IS BLACK HISTORY MONTH “JEOPARDY!”?
Join us for multiple rounds of Black History Month “Jeopardy!”. Whether participating by yourself or as a family, compete with others and test your knowledge to win a copy of Kwame Alexander and Kadir Nelson’s award-winning book, “The Undefeated!”
Feb. 10 / Virtual / 3-4 p.m. / School ages
STORYTIME
Listen to stories that celebrate Black families and highlight the diversity of Black communities.
Feb. 11 / Virtual / 10:30-11 a.m. / Pre-K
HANDMADE FAMILY RECIPE BOOK
Make a handmade family recipe book! All you need is your family recipes and some imagination. Once you have registered, a Take & Make Kit can be picked up at Carpenter Library. Using scrapbook paper and other materials, we’ll show you how to put together a unique book filled with family recipes and memories.
Note: Library Staff are happy to help you with printing recipes or other materials through mobile printing.
Feb. 16 / Virtual / 7-8 p.m. / Adults
MAKE A FAMILY SCRAPBOOK
Families make a scrapbook keepsake out of paper bags. Once you have registered, pickup a Take & Make Kit from Carpenter, Kingshighway or Barr Libraries. Kits include a blank paper bag scrapbook, markers and stickers. Join us for a short Storytime and stick around for a show and tell of your completed scrapbook!
Feb. 18 / Virtual / 5:30-6:30 p.m. / Families
THE BLACK FAMILY & LINEAGE: TRACING YOUR HISTORY
The role of the Black family has been the study of many disciplines. One fast emerging discipline is the study of Black Genealogy. Learn how to conduct your own genealogy research. Guests will be provided a list of resources after the program.
Feb. 24 / Virtual / 5-6 p.m. / Adults
FOR THE CULTURE BOOK CLUB
Let’s read for the culture! Read Brandy Colbert’s “The Revolution of Birdie Randolph.” Pickup up a copy of the book at Central Library beginning January 25.
Feb. 25 / Virtual / 3-4 p.m. / Teens
The SLPL Genealogy Department collects books, periodicals, maps and microfilm concentrating on Missouri and nearby states, as well as foreign countries. Our materials cover historic and current newspapers, military records, slave schedules, city directories, birth and death records, wills, cemetery records, family histories and passenger lists. The
Genealogy Department also fulfills obituary requests from any of the various St. Louis-area newspapers. For more information, call 314-241-2288.
ANCESTRY.COM
Unlock your family’s story with sources like censuses, vital records, immigration records, family histories, military records, court and legal documents, directories, photos and maps.
The St. Louis Public Library's Black History Month programming is made possible by the St. Louis Public Library Foundation.
