February is Black History Month
Black History Month is an annual celebration of achievements by Black people and a time to recognize their central role in history.
Learn about and honor Black History Month with books, movies, music, programs, and digital resources from your library!
Visit our events calendar for information about all our programs.
Operating a hand drill at Vultee-Nashville, woman is working on a “Vengeance” dive bomber, Tennessee
Source: Library of Congress
Civil rights march on Washington, D.C.
Library of Congress
Photograph of students in a science lab
Created by: Lewis Wickes Hine
FEATURED EVENTS
Black History Month: Tiny Art Show
Vallejo John F. Kennedy Library and Vallejo Springstowne Library
All Month
Create a work of art that celebrates Black History Month. Ask the front desk for a mini art kit. When completed, return your art to the library and it will be displayed as part of the Black History Month Tiny Art Show.
Open to all ages, while supplies last.
Freedom Quilt
Vallejo Springstowne Library
Saturday, February 1, All Day
Learn about the Freedom Quilt and its significance to American history and the Underground Railroad. Using paper template designs, participants can color and arrange the patterns, which were secret codes to guide people to freedom. Drop in for this activity during the library’s open hours for the month of February.
Black History Month Documentary: “Driving While Black: Race, Space, & Mobility in America”
Suisun City Library
Saturday, February 1, 9:15AM-11:15AM
Join us for a showing of the documentary “Driving While Black: Race, Space, and Mobility in America”. The film is (1hr 58min) and rated TV-PG. Open to all ages, but children must be accompanied by an adult. Popcorn and water will be provided.
Black History Month Documentary: “100 Years From Mississippi”
Suisun City Library
Saturday, February 1, 1:15PM-2:15PM
Join us for the documentary “100 Years From Mississippi”. This film is (1hr) and rated NR. Open to all ages, but children must be accompanied by an adult. Popcorn and water will be provided.
Gospel Musicale: Featuring Jerrell Mason and the Elevation Chorale
Vallejo John F. Kennedy Library
Saturday, February 8, 11AM
Experience Gospel music—one of the earliest expressions of the Black musical tradition! Featuring Jerrell Mason and the Elevation Chorale!
Kids’ Black History Month: Cooking with Chef Garrison
Fairfield Civic Center Library
Tuesday, February 4, 3:30PM-4:30PM
In celebration of Black History Month, kids will explore the culture of soul food and be able to learn how to make a macaroni and cheese cups with Chef Victoria Garrison from Chef Garrison’s Academy. Registration is required. Food contains dairy and gluten.
1st Tuesday Kanopy Film Club! Celebrate Black History!
Fairfield Civic Center Library
Tuesday, February 4, 5:45PM-7:45PM
Stanley Nelson goes straight to the source with archival footage of the diverse group of people who were there: police,FBI informants, supporters/detractors & Black Panthers to tell their stories.
Leap into the World of Black Superheroes!
Fairfield Cordelia Library
Saturday, February 8, 2:30PM-3:30PM
In honor of Black History Month this February, we’re hosting a celebration of Black superheroes with a scavenger hunt, Superhero BINGO, and other activities. Free books and comics while supplies last. Best for ages 5 – 14.
Celebrate Black History Month with Afternoon Book Club!
Fairfield Civic Center Library
Thursday, February 13, 3PM-4PM
FEBRUARY ASSIGNED READING is: Buses Are a Comin’: Memoir of a Freedom Writer. “An exploration of the cost of boarding the bus of change to move America forward-written by a Civil Rights pioneer.”
Celebrate Black History Month with the Film, “Fences”
Fairfield Civic Center Library
Saturday, February 15, 2PM-4:30PM
Denzel Washington’s’ directorial debut-an adaptation of August Wilson’s Pulitzer Prize-winning play,”Fences”. A Black father tries to raise his family in the 1950s-while coming to terms with his life.
Doc & Discuss: “Haymarket: The Bomb, the Anarchists, the Labor Struggle”
Dixon Library
Saturday, February 15, 3PM-4:45PM
Join us for Doc & Discuss! In this Saturday series of events, we will be screening a topical documentary and holding space for a discussion about its topic afterwards. We will be offering light refreshments during the screening to all attendees. As February is Black History Month and this year’s BHM theme is Black Labor, our documentary will focus on the American fight for workers’ rights and the involvement of prominent Black activists who’ve helped achieve the rights many workers enjoy today.
Documentary Viewing: “Pushout: The Criminalization of Black Girls in Schools”
Vacaville Town Square Library
Saturday, February 15, 2PM-4:30PM
Black girls face a wide variety of challenges in education including gender inequality, marginalization, and misrepresentation. Join us as we watch Pushout: the Criminalization of Black Girls in Schools by film maker Monique W. Morris, Ed, D. as she explores these themes through first-person narratives from students with a focus on what action adults and policy makers should take to address these needs and support the success of Black girls in school.
This event is open to all ages, however parental discretion is advised.
Running time: 79 min
To learn more about Pushout and what the documentary covers, visit: https://pushoutfilm.com/
Village Rhythms
Dixon Library
Thursday, February 20, 12PM-1PM
Onye Onyemaechi, MBA is a world-renowned master percussionist, educator, author, and performing musician, who engages children and families in
a participatory experience of African Village life. He actively involves the community in drumming, dancing, songs and village stories. Onye uses captivating music, native dress and instruments presented in a historical/cultural context. All are encouraged to value and integrate their own heritages into their learning and living experiences.m
Black Business Fair
Vallejo John F. Kennedy Library (in the Vallejo Room)
Saturday, February 22, 11AM-2PM
Come out to learn about local Black-owned businesses and organizations in Vallejo and Solano County! Hosted by Jameelah Hanif of Watch Me Grow, Inc., this will be a family-friendly day of fun!
Afternoon Adventures: Cosmos & Black History Month
Suisun City Library
Thursday, February 27, 3:30PM-5:30PM
In celebration of Black History Month explore the contributions of Black Americans to astronomy and astrophysics! Test your knowledge by charting the stars or engineering a paper rocket. For kids, tweens, and teens.
eBOOKS, eAUDIOBOOKS, & MORE!
Immerse yourself in Black History Month with a variety of films, documentaries, and books, all showcasing Black voices, culture, and history. hoopla offers access to a vast collection of books, videos, and music, all free with your library card. Borrow, stream, and download content on iOS, Android, Kindle Fire, and more. Enjoy Hoopla!
MUSIC
Listen to some of the most influential and important songs and singers in popular music history.
Login to Freegal Music with your library card
MOVIES
Join us in honoring Black History Month with a special streaming video Black History Month collection on Kanopy.
