Black History Month Programs @Princeton Public Library
Programs that focus on Black culture, history and experience will take place throughout February at Princeton Public Library in celebration of Black History Month. In addition to book lists for all ages and a resource guide available on the library’s website, programs include:
Sunday, Feb. 2, 11:30 a.m.
Jazz Brunch with the Marel Hidalgo Quartet
Jazz guitarist Marel Hidalgo and his band present "Sounds of the African Diaspora" featuring jazz, blues, calypso, reggae jazz, mento, Brazilian and Afro-Latin rhythms at this jazz brunch event. Rounding out the quartet are Radam Schwartz on piano, Joe Peterson on bass, and Joe Brown Jr. on drums. Doors open at 11 a.m. for coffee/tea and pastries. Registration requested, not required. Community Room
Monday, Feb. 3, 7 p.m.
“Harriet Tubman: Follow the Freedom Star”
Historical re-enactor and educator Ivey Avery gives a presentation on the life of Harriet Tubman, the political and societal issues that existed during her time and their lasting impact today. Community Room
Tuesday, Feb. 4, 18, 25, 10 a.m.
Friday, Feb. 14, 10 a.m.
Community Leader Storytime
These weekly storytimes celebrating Black History Month feature a motivational reading by a local African-American community leader followed by an arts and craft activity. Presented in partnership with Princeton Nursery School and the Witherspoon-Jackson Historical and Cultural Society. Community Room
Saturday, Feb. 8, 3 p.m.
"A Black History Month Celebration: Songs of Hope, Unity, and Courage"
Trenton Children's Chorus and Trenton Music Makers Chamber Orchestra, the performance groups of Capital Harmony Works, present a wide repertoire of music. Community Room
Douglass Day 2025
Friday, Feb. 14
Noon to 3 p.m. - Community members are invited to participate in a “transcribe-a-thon” (a crowdsourcing transcription project) of documents from "The African American Perspectives Collection" from the Library of Congress. Community Room at the library and also at the Stoutsburg Sourland African American Museum’s Reasoner-True House, 183 Hollow Road, Skillman. Registration required.
From 2-4 p.m., a pop-up Special Selections Showcase featuring objects by and about Frederick Douglass, and other works featuring African American perspectives, will be on display in the lobby of the Firestone Library at Princeton University.
Also part of Black History Month at the library is “Art of the Witness Stones Project,” an exhibition of student artwork on view in the Reading Room through Feb. 28. The exhibit features artwork by eighth grade students from Timberlane Middle School in Pennington who worked with the Witness Stones Project and the Stoutsburg Sourland African American Museum to create art to memorialize three enslaved people from Central New Jersey. The Witness Stones Project is an organization committed to honoring the humanity of the enslaved people who built our communities.
Black History Month Programs @Princeton Public Library
Princeton Public Library, Sands Library Building
65 Witherspoon Street, Princeton, NJ 08542
609.924.9529 www.princetonlibrary.org
Programs that focus on Black culture, history and experience will take place throughout February at Princeton Public Library in celebration of Black History Month. In addition to book lists for all ages and a resource guide available on the library’s website, programs include:
Feb. 1-15
“Three Eras of African American Inventor Experience”
On loan from the Black Inventors Hall of Fame in Newark, this exhibit showcases the 400-year history of African American inventions from smallpox remedies to cell phone technology and more. Main Lobby
The award-winning author and Princeton University professor is joined in conversation with writer, scholar and activist Lorgia Garci?a Pen?a to discuss Benjamin's new book, "Imagination: A Manifesto," and its connection to her previous book, "Viral Justice." Community Room and livestreamed on YouTube.
Sunday, Feb. 11, 2 p.m.
Inventors Day Presentation: “Black Inventors Got Game”
James Howard of the Black Inventors Hall of Fame examines influential Black inventors and their contributions to the toy and game industry during this interactive, multimedia presentation. The presentation complements the ongoing exhibit in the main lobby. Community Room
Wednesday, Feb. 14, noon-3 p.m.
Douglass Day Transcribe-a-thon
Participants transcribe handwritten general correspondence of Frederick Douglass from the Library of Congress to help create a searchable database. Technology Center
Friday, Feb. 16, 4 p.m.
Film: “Lady Sings the Blues”
The 1972 biographical drama about legendary jazz singer Billie Holiday is screened in advance of author Paul’s Alexander’s Feb. 20 discussion of his book about the final year of her life. Rated R. 2 hours, 24 minutes. Community Room
Tuesday, Feb. 20, 7 p.m.
Author Paul Alexander
The author discusses his newly released book “Bitter Crop: The Heartache and Triumph of Billie Holiday’s Last Year.” Community Room
Wednesday, Feb. 21, 6:30 p.m.
Film with Panel: “Revolution ‘67”
An illuminating account of the black urban rebellions of the 1960s, this PBS documentary focuses on the six-day Newark, N.J., disturbances which began as spontaneous revolts against poverty and police brutality and ended as fateful milestones in America's struggles over race and economic justice. 1 hour, 22 minutes. Panel discussion with filmmaker to follow. Community Room
Saturday, Feb. 24, 2 p.m.
“Journey through African American Music”
This interactive musical experience for all ages highlights the impact of African American rhythms on American music and history. Community Room
In addition, a bulletin board and book display on Black inventors will be on view on the library’s third floor.