Celebrating Black History Month at the Library!

February is Black History Month! Across Canada and in other countries around the world, we celebrate the contributions, cultures and stories of the Black community. This year at the Library, we invite you to explore and reflect on how Black communities have resisted oppression in the past and today through a variety of activities.   

The program includes talks, poetry workshops, historical discussions and more. Unleash your curiosity and come discover interesting facts and stories.  There is something for everyone and for all ages.  

Mark the following dates on your calendar! 

• Thursday, February 9, at 6:30 pm, at the Sunnyside Branch: Meet author Leslie Roach who will talk about her past experiences with racism and how she broke through in the literary world.    

• Monday, February 13, at 6 pm in English, and Wednesday, February 15, at 6 pm in French: Retracing history with Dr. Amadou Ba on Zoom. Dr. Amadou Ba is a historian, political scientist, researcher and writer with a PhD in History, a Master’s in Political Science and a Bachelor’s in Education. He will talk about some of the history and contributions of the Black community in Canada.  

• Wednesday, February 22, at 7 pm, at the National Arts Centre - Peter A. Herrndorf Place: Chat with Catherine Hernandez. – The Ottawa Public Library, in partnership with the National Arts Centre, will showcase award-winning author and screenwriter Catherine Hernandez who will be presenting her speech "What would Ms Hina Do?" The performance explores the themes of community and allyship. 

• Tuesday, February 7, 14, 21 and 28 on Zoom: Arts can Teach - Poetry workshops with Ariel Clarke.  Ariel Clarke will guide you through an exploration of Black poets and their works, with an emphasis on Maya Angelou and Amanda Gorman, to learn about different kinds of poetry and how to interpret them.   

• Saturday, February 25, at at 10:30 am, Cumberland (French session) and 1 pm, Greenboro branch, (English session) - Fondations of B-Boying with BBoyizm Dance Company: Children ages 5 to 11 will learn the fundamentals of B-boying and hip-hop culture, in a safe way, from dedicated professional dancers who have a passion for teaching.

In addition to these events, you can stop by the OPL branches to participate in some of the activities planned specifically for Black History Month or look at the displays filled with books on Black culture and history.   

Follow us on our social media!  

There will be a collaborative activity on the OPL's Instagram platform with local Black leaders. Come see their responses to various questions and take part in the conversations!  

Poetry from various Black authors will also be featured on our social media. Feel free to suggest quotes from Black authors you like in the comment area. A month of activities for you to be inspired, enriched, and connected to your community. Take advantage of this time to discover new literary treasures by browsing the book list below. Have a good read!