As mentioned in earlier emails, we are having an abbreviated Black History month at the library (February 12-28) that will consist of the following:

• Display Materials: The library will have relevant materials on display on the main floor during this time. The attached lists of recommended books, movies and music was provided to the library to display. We are hopeful they will purchase some to add to their permanent collection.
• Movie Screenings: We are going to co-sponsor The “Princess and the Frog” and “Race: The Jesse Owens Story” with the library. The library will create promotional posters for the movies, draft press releases, and promote them on their website, too. They ask us to do the same. We cannot mention the names of the movies for licensing reasons. However, we can link to the library’s website where the actual names of the movies will be listed.
• Idea Wall Exhibit: Thanks to Leona, we will have a visual exhibit on the Idea Wall across from the Reference Desk. It will celebrate our contributions in the sciences, military, arts, and more. If you have large posters that you want included in the exhibit, I will need it by this Friday.

 

FUTURE EVENTS

 

Following are some events still in the early stages of discussion and planning, but worth mentioning.

 

• Baseball Season (April/May): Possible screening of “42,”  the movie about Jackie Robinson. If the Idea Wall is available, we could do a Negro League exhibit. Depending on interest, we may or may not do this.
• Library After Dark: The Cary Foundation is launching a new series of after-hours events at the library. Four are planned for this year. I met with the leaders of the Foundation Monday to discuss ABCL partnering with them on an event in the fall-possibly a poetry slam featuring Regie Gibson, if he’s interested and available, and/or a jazzfest. The details still need to be worked out. First, we need to lock down a date. We are looking at September 8th or 15th, both Saturdays.

 

NEXT MEETING

February 8th and 22nd meetings are cancelled. Any updates to be provided at 2/15 board meeting.

 

Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions or comments about any of the up-coming events.

 

Thanks,

Martha

The program, Trailblazers In Our Midst, is centered around local African Americans that have contributed to the local area: past, present and future.

This episode is currently in post-production.

January 14, 2018

Yesterday’s MLK at the Library event was a success. Nearly 55 people attended some portion of the program. Many shared their appreciation at the end of each segment.

The spoken-word artists were well-received. Terry E. Carter received rave reviews for his poetry reading and sold a few books. Cynthia Phillips-Kaipu was a hit with her animated reading of the MLK children’s books and book raffle. People also enjoyed the slideshow presentation of Dr. King accompanied by music and a selection of his speeches. Then, there’s the display of Corita Kent artwork on loan from Mary Haskell, which we all appreciated. The evening closed with a lively discussion, moderated by Kaye Long, after viewing the movie, Selma.

Without the efforts, support, and encouragement of the following people, MLK at the Library would not have been possible: Kaye Long, Charlie and Leona Martin, Monica Ndounou, and Sean Osborne. I also want to recognize Koren Stembridge and the Cary Library staff for all their help. And, I thank my daughter, Olivia Byrd, who created the slideshow for the audio/visual presentation of the program and live-streamed images and video of the event to the ABCL Facebook page.

Finally, to all of you who were able to attend the MLK at the Library event in person, thank you for coming. And, to those who were there in spirit, thank you for keeping us in your thoughts and sending us your positive energy.

– Martha Byrd

Monday January 15, 2018

Community members share their thoughts on the Monday morning program.

Featuring:

Dan Losen, Director, Center for Civil Rights Remedies, The Civil Rights Project at UCLA and Keynote Speaker, MLK Day Community Conversation on Race

Dr. Monica White Ndounou, Associate Professor of Theater and the 2017-2018 Sony Music Fellow at Dartmouth College and Association of Black Citizens of Lexington (ABCL) Member

Mona Roy, School Committee Liaison and Diamond Middle School Liaison for Lexington Special Education Parent Advisory Council (LexSEPAC)

Sean Osborne, Chair, Lexington Human Rights Committee (LHRC)

Saturday, January 13, 2018

ABCL Library Subcommittee MLK Program, Cary Library, 10 am to 5 pm

• 10 a.m. to noon:

Storytelling and Spoken Word featuring Cynthia Phillips Kaipu and Terry E. Carter

• Noon to 2 p.m. :

Poster Exhibit from the collection of Mary Haskell, Esq. with an audio presentation of Dr. King’s speeches and the music of the Civil Rights movement

• 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. :

Selma (2014) Film Screening and Discussion,

Moderator: Kaye Long

For more information see attached flyer and visit https://www.libraryinsight.com/eventdetails.asp?jx=gxp&lmx=%CFbd%27%AB%AAu&v=3