NORFOLK, VA – Norfolk Public Library (NPL) will kick off a month-long recognition of African American history on Saturday, February 3 with a series of events including a special Opening Celebration at 3PM at Slover Library. Nationally acclaimed artist and Buffalo Soldiers Historian, Ken Wright, will serve as the keynote speaker with guest music performers, New Horizons Music Ministries.
NPL is proud to celebrate African American History Month each February and recognizes the importance of paying tribute to the contributions made by African Americans over the long course of our country’s history.
This year’s national theme addresses “African Americans in Times of War” and, with over 30 programs system-wide, NPL will delve into this topic on a national and local level. This year will focus on those who served in America’s conflicts from the pre-Revolutionary era through today’s “War on Terrorism.”
NPL’s opening weekend will also include the 4th Annual African American Trailblazers Honors Program on Sunday, February 4 at 3PM, also at Slover Library. The event honors five prominent local African Americans who have enhanced the lives of people in Hampton Roads through various professions. This year’s honorees are Elbert Watson, Dr. Tommy Bogger, I. Sherman Greene Chorale, Ken Wright and Judge Gwendolyn Jones-Jackson.
“Each year, our observation of African American History Month provides a much needed resource and dialogue of the importance African Americans have made, not only nationally, but here in our own community,” said Sonal Rastogi, Director of Libraries.
More information on African American History Month events at NPL locations is available at
norfolkpubliclibrary.org/. All NPL programs are free and open to the public.
AFRICAN AMERICAN HISTORY MONTH OPENING WEEKEND PROGRAMS
Book Talk: Virginia Waterways and Underground Railroad
Saturday, Jan. 27 @ 10 AM
Slover Library, Room 650
Author Dr. Cassandra Newby-Alexander, Professor of History and the Director of the
Joseph Jenkins Roberts Center for the African Diaspora at Norfolk State University. (Adults)
African American Genealogy
*Registration required
Saturday, Feb. 3 @ 10 AM – 12 PM & 2 PM – 4 PM
Slover Library, Room 640
Learn basic strategies and resources to find your African American rooms.
Presented by the Sargeant Memorial Collection. Space is limited to 20 per class.
*To register, please call 757-431-7429 or email localhistory@norfolk.gov. (Adults)
Bright Star Touring Theatre Company Presents:
Black History Heroes, Soldiers and Spies
Saturday, Feb. 3 @ 11 AM
Lafayette Branch Library
Poetry of Black History
Saturday, Feb. 3 @ 1:30 PM
Van Wyck Branch Library
African American History Month Opening Celebration
Keynote Speaker: Ken Wright
Saturday, Feb. 3 @ 3 PM
Slover Library, Room 650
Enjoy entertainment, refreshments and a musical performance by
veteran group, New Horizons Music Ministries. (Family)
Freedom Songs
Saturday, Feb. 3 @ 3:30 PM
Blyden Branch Library
3rd Annual African American Trailblazers Honors Program
Sunday, Feb. 4 @ 3 PM
Slover Library, Room 650
NPL honors five distinguished African American trailblazers:
Elbert Watson, Dr. Tommy Bogger, I. Sherman Greene Chorale, Ken Wright, Judge Gwendolyn Jones-Jackson. (Family)
About Norfolk Public Library:
The Norfolk Public Library offers access to information, books, programs, and online resources to meet the needs of our diverse community for life-long learning. The library system consists of one main library, ten branch libraries, one anchor branch library, and a Bookmobile. All programs are FREE of charge. Visit
www.norfolkpubliclibrary.org or call us at (757) 664-READ for more information. NPL- Creating a City of Readers.