2 minute read
Juneteenth
Inspiring Understanding by creating occasions for the exchange of ideas, cultural experiences, and discovery… ”
Excerpt from the Library’s Mission, Vision and Values Statement
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The Arlington Heights Memorial Library invites you to be a part of our vision to Inspire Understanding during Juneteenth and Pride Month.
The library has created programs, book discussions, film screenings, musical performances, booklists and more for the exchange of ideas and opportunities to experience and discover more about our human similarities and differences. The library’s commitment to diversity and inclusion aims to cultivate an inclusive atmosphere, celebrate our diversity and create an environment for the open exchange of differing ideas and points of view. We invite you to join us at the library and around town for the following programs.
UNETEENTHJ
June 19, 1865 is the day when the last enslaved people in the United States were told they were free in Galveston, Texas – two and a half years after the Emancipation Proclamation was signed. June 19 is now known as Juneteenth, a holiday that commemorates the end of slavery and celebrates African-American freedom, culture and achievements.
Pre-Civil War Quilts: Secret Codes to Freedom on the Underground Railroad
Tuesday, June 14, 7–8:30 p.m. Hendrickson Room
Join Connie Martin as she tells the history of her family who were slaves captured in West Africa and survived the Middle Passage. Martin will share the origin of the Underground Railroad and discuss famous abolitionists, slave routes passing through counties in Illinois, quilt codes and stitching used in hand-crafted quilt replicas sewn by Martin’s mother.
Juneteenth Book Discussion The Sweetness of Water by Nathan Harris
Wednesday, June 15, 7–8 p.m. Cardinal Room
This debut novel weaves together equal parts beauty and stark terror of truth and reality in the depiction of a war-torn Georgian town during the violent aftermath of the Civil War into the Reconstruction era. Topics of this discussion will include race, the aftermath of slavery and what it means to be free.
Ayodele Drum & Dance
Thursday, June 16, 7:30–8:30 p.m. Metropolis Performing Arts Centre 111 W. Campbell Street
Ayodele Drum and Dance present a West African performance of live drumming, song and dance. Free to attend and open to music lovers of all ages.
Black Joy Family Time
Saturday, June 18, 10 a.m. / Lindsey Room
Listen to award-winning stories that feature Black children’s everyday lives which are playful, bold, curious and more! A selection of books will be on display for check out. For children ages 0-6.
Wednesday, June 22 7–8 p.m. / Zoom Join us for an evening with chef Kwame Onwuachi, whose first cookbook, My America: Recipes from a Young Black Chef,celebrates the cuisine of the African diaspora, “the world’s wisest food.” He’ll share the importance of the connections between cuisine, place and culture. Kwame Onwuachi is a James Beard Awardwinning chef who was born on Long Island and raised in New York City, Nigeria and Louisiana. A former Top Chef contestant, he has been named Food & Wine’s Best New Chef 2019 and a 30 Under 30 honoree by both Zagat and Forbes. Onwuachi’s 2019 memoir, Notes from a Young Black Chef received critical acclaim.
This event is made possible by Illinois Libraries Present, a statewide collaboration among public libraries offering high-quality events.
