This February the New Haven Free Public Library is honoring the entrepreneurial success of Black Americans and recognizing their achievements and inventions throughout our nation’s history, as well as celebrating the ongoing history that is being created every day. Join us for book discussions, film screenings, community gatherings, and much more. We hope to see you there!
Black History Month Events at NHFPL
Young Minds and Teens
Keepers of the Flame: A Community Black History Celebration
Saturday, February 3, 1-3:30 pm | STETSON
Join us as we Pass the Torch and enjoy a real southern meal served hot! Sisters with a New Attitude Women’s Support group gathers the community to participate in African culture and diaspora through sounds of the African drum, children dance performance, poetry readings, and raffle. Learn the hidden meanings behind slave songs through Slave Narratives retold by Sister Deborah Elmore.
Take Your Child to the Library Day: Black Inventors Who Made the Stuff Around Us
Saturday, February 3, 2-3 pm | IVES
In this presentation, scientist Ainissa Ramirez will share inventions that we use everyday that were created by Black inventors —from the light bulb to the mailbox to ice cream.
STEAM Explorers
Wednesday, February 7, 3-4 pm | FAIR HAVEN
Hey kids, did you know that Black inventor Garrett Morgan introduced the life-saving traffic signal? Join us for a STEAM craft challenge to learn more about this invention.
Ruby Bridges Storytime and Craft
Wednesday, February 7, 4-5 pm | MITCHELL
We’ll read books and make a craft celebrating Ruby Bridges. Presented in partnership with Yale Libraries.
Wonderful Books and Where to Find Them
Saturday, February 10, 11-11:30 am | IVES
This month we focus on Black History Month by reading Saving the Day: Garrett Morgan’s Life Changing Invention of the Traffic Signal by Karyn Parsons and participating in a related craft. Families and children are welcome to attend! In partnership with Yale Affinity Groups.
Music Haven Concert: Celebrating Black History
Saturday, February 10, 11 am-12 pm | STETSON
Come out and enjoy a concert performance by the students of Music Haven.
Kidz Kook
Saturday, February 10, 1-4 pm | WILSON
Let’s make story time deliciously fun! Hear a read-aloud book and make nutritious food art celebrating Black History Month with Tennille Murphy from Kidz Kook.
Black Inventors LEGO Challenge
Tuesdays, February 13 and 20, 3-4 pm | FAIR HAVEN
Get inspired by the variety of new discoveries and products created by Black inventors while you construct your own designs.
Harmony of Resilience: Celebrating Black History Through Music
Saturday, February 24, 3:30-5 pm | STETSON
Performances by The Greater New Haven Jack and Jill of America Inc. Youth, The Chill Band, Mae Gibson Brown, Music Haven, dancers, and more. Presented by Jack and Jill of America Incorporated, Stetson Branch Library, and the Monk Youth Jazz and STEAM Collective. Hosted by Greater New Haven Jack and Jill of America Inc. Youth.
Got Games? A BIGG Screening and Board Games Night
Monday, February 26, 3-4 pm | FAIR HAVEN
Kids and teens, come learn about four Black developers who changed the toy and gaming industry with The Entrepreneur Game and Phase 10. You’ll have a chance to try your hand at these games and catch a video feature about the inventors and how they got started.
Film Screening: Barbershop
Thursday, February 29, 3-5:30 pm | IVES
Join NHFPL Teens and Yale DEIA for a screening of Barbershop and a conversation about Black Entrepreneurship!
Adults
Free Friday Films
This month will feature Black actors who starred in a Yale Repertory Theater production while attending the Yale School of Drama and then went on to star in feature films in Hollywood!
Queen of Katwe
Friday, February 2, 2-4 pm | IVES
A story about a Ugandan girl who sees her world change after being introduced to the game of chess.
What’s Love Got to Do With it?
Friday, February 9, 2-4 pm | IVES
Anna discovers her love of singing in her church choir. She moves to St. Louis to pursue a career and meets Ike Turner, who offers to help her succeed.
Bullet Train
Friday, February 16, 2-4 pm | IVES
Brad Pitt stars as Ladybug, an unlucky Assassin. His latest mission puts him on a collision course with lethal adversaries from around the globe.
Love & Basketball
Friday, February 23, 2-4 pm | IVES
This film is about two childhood friends who both aspire to be professional basketball players and begin to fall for each other.
Keepers of the Flame: A Community Black History Celebration
Saturday, February 3, 1-3:30 pm | STETSON
Join us as we Pass the Torch and enjoy a real southern meal served hot! Sisters with a New Attitude Women’s Support group gathers the community to participate in African culture and diaspora through sounds of the African drum, children dance performance, poetry readings, and raffle. Learn the hidden meanings behind slave songs through Slave Narratives retold by Sister Deborah Elmore.
Black and Blue in Bridgeport: Author Talk
Wednesday, February 7, 6-7:45 pm | STETSON
Author and former Police Officer, Dave Daniels, discusses his book Black and Blue in Bridgeport.
Music Haven Concert: Celebrating Black History
Saturday, February 10, 11 am-12 pm | STETSON
Come out and enjoy a concert performance by the students of Music Haven.
Black History Month Spotlight on Entrepreneurship
Monday, February 12, 6-7:30 pm | MITCHELL
Kwadwo Adae founded his art gallery back in 2005.
Film Screening: The Black Press: Soldiers Without Swords
Thursday, February 15, 6-8 pm | IVES
Join us for a screening of the documentary film The Black Press: Soldiers Without Swords, a film that celebrates the history of America’s Black newspapers.
Headshots & Networking
Tuesday, February 20, 4-7 pm | WILSON
In need of a headshot or want to connect with other business owners and professionals in our city? Join the Black B2B Network, our Leads Group aims to generate business for participants by sharing leads and building trusted relationships through networking. This event is hosted by community leader and entrepreneur, Doreen Abubakar of the Black B2B Network. Headshots are free to all, please register to guarantee a slot.
Negro League Baseball Owners and Players
Thursday, February 22, 6-7 pm | FAIR HAVEN
Calvin Ramsey, author of Ruth and the Green Book discusses the history of Black baseball team owners and players and Black Latinos who operated their own leagues when the sport was segregated.
Harmony of Resilience: Celebrating Black History Through Music
Saturday, February 24, 3:30-5 pm | STETSON
Performances by The Greater New Haven Jack and Jill of America Inc. Youth, The Chill Band, Mae Gibson Brown, Music Haven, dancers, and more. Presented by Jack and Jill of America Incorporated, Stetson Branch Library, and the Monk Youth Jazz and STEAM Collective. Hosted by Greater New Haven Jack and Jill of America Inc. Youth.
Author Talk: Lucy Anne Hurston
Wednesday, February 28, 6-8 pm | STETSON
Join us as Lucy Anne Hurston shares the life story of her aunt, Zora Neale Hurston, and her personal experiences as a University Professor as told in a new book Being Black In The Ivory by her colleague, Sharde M. Davis. Refreshments served!
History of Black-Owned Businesses in New Haven
Thursday, February 29, 6-7 pm | FAIR HAVEN
Join us when the New Haven Museum presents the history of Black entrepreneurship in New Haven and learn about important figures like William Lanson.
Download a printable version of the event fliers and our micro branches!
