Afro-Fusion Performance with Amanda Armenteros Saturday, February 17th, at 3:30-4:30 pm For: Children & Families Location: Auditorium The Library will be celebrating Black History Month with a performance by Amanda Armenteros. Amanda Armenteros’ focus is in African derived movements fusing traditional and modern day African dance. Afrobeats combines a fusion of modern and traditional African rhythms. This event will be held in the auditorium on Saturday, February 17th at 3:30-4:30 p.m. For more information on this event you can click this link. About Amanda: Amanda Armenteros is a versatile dancer and teacher who loves to study African dance. Amanda’s classes
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Archives for black history month
West African Dance Class with Amanda Armenteros
Black History Month: West African Dance Class with Amanda Armenteros Saturday February 18th, at 3:00–4:00 pm For: Children & Families Location: Auditorium Join Amanda and Diane for a full immersive traditional West African Dance class. We will learn the history of where the dance and rhythms originated and the stories behind the movement. Come ready to learn, move and explore traditional African music! This event will be held in the auditorium on Saturday, February 18th at 3:00 p.m. Before the class, we will read Firebird, by Misty Copeland and illustrated by Christopher Myers. Afterwards, we will provide Grab & Go
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Celebrate Black History Month
From novels to genealogy workshops, dance performances to films, and storytimes to memoirs, we've got scores of ways to help you celebrate Black History Month. For a list of recommended reads for children, see Raquel's dazzling list of nonfiction picks here. Events Black History Month StoryWalk February is Black History Month. Come view the Library’s StoryWalk featuring Molly, By Golly!: The Legend of Molly Williams, America’s First Female Firefighter by Dianne Ochiltree, illustrated by Kathleen Kemly. In addition to the StoryWalk, there will be some photos related to the history of firefighting in White Plains on display. The StoryWalk will
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Black History StoryWalk
Black History StoryWalk Molly, By Golly!: The Legend of Molly Williams, America’s First Female Firefighter Written by Dianne Ochiltree & Illustrated by Kathleen Kemly Begins Monday, January 23, 2023 and runs through Tuesday, February 28, 2023 For Families & Children Location: The Gallery Stroll through the Gallery on the second floor of the Library, and follow the story of Molly Williams, the slave who became America’s first female firefighter! The Black History StoryWalk is based on the book, Molly, By Golly!: The Legend of Molly Williams, America’s First Female Firefighter by Dianne Ochiltree and Kathleen Kemly. In the book, New
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Children’s Titles to Celebrate Black History Part 2
Veronica Chambers writes in her New York Times article, How Negro History Week Became Black History Month and Why It Matters Now, ”Why does Black History Month in particular, and the study of Black history overall, still matter so much? ‘There’s no question that history is and continues to be a battleground. The origin stories that we tell matter a great deal for where we set the bar and how we set the bar going forward,’ noted Professor Jones, of Johns Hopkins. ‘So when you talk about people like Carter G. Woodson, these are men who knew that if you
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African American Children’s Authors
Enjoy these wonderful tales of triumph, challenges, hope and above all, love. Stacey’s extraordinary words, by Stacey Abrams Library Catalog / Libby How to read a book, by Kwame Alexander Library Catalog I am every good thing, by Derrick D. Barnes Library Catalog / eBook / Audiobook The king of Kindergarten, by Derrick Barnes Library Catalog / Libby Zuri Ray tries ballet, by Tami Charles Library Catalog When we say Black Lives Matter, by Maxine Beneba Clarke Library Catalog / Libby We shall overcome, by Bryan Collier Library Catalog / Libby Parker looks up: an extraordinary moment, by Parker Curry
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Black History Month STEAM Program
For Black History Month, we’re hosting a STEAM program that will include a LEGO Grab & Go kit. First, we’ll read about African American leaders in space exploration. Then we’ll learn about the constellations that helped with navigation on the underground railroad, and use LEGO pieces to create the Big Dipper. Join us on Tuesday, February 22nd at 4:00 p.m. Supplies are limited, so register through our online calendar here. Suggested Reads: Ada Twist, Scientist by Andrea Beaty Library Catalog Ada had a lot of questions about the world around her. She asked her parents so many questions and they
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Children’s Nonfiction Titles to Celebrate Black History Part 1
The banning of children’s books on Black history (And children’s books on the LGBTQIA+ experience) has greatly risen recently throughout the United States. Students and teachers are fighting back. One student and teacher victory (for now) led to the rescinding of a book ban instituted by the Central York Pennsylvania School District board. Alyssa Shotwell wrote in her article in the Mary Sue, “Last year, heated school debates resulted in the York, Pennsylvania schools banning (and, in some cases, holding ongoing ‘reviews’ of) a four-page list of materials. In the list sent to teachers across the Central York District, books
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Satchel Paige Magic Show
Satchel Paige and Negro League Baseball Historical Magic Show Saturday, February 13 – Saturday, February 20 Children, families, ages 3-12 Join Tommy Terrific all week long for a pre-recorded historical magic show about Satchel Paige and Negro League baseball. The show will be filled with baseball-themed magic tricks, and it will explore the life and accomplishments of baseball pitcher Satchel Paige. From his all-star touring shows, to his amazing records with the Negro Leagues, to his Hall of Fame induction as baseball's oldest rookie and oldest player, Satchel Paige is a true American original. Fun and informative for families and
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STEAM Picture Books: Art
In this new monthly STEAM series, I will highlight some wonderful picture books that fall under a STEAM category: Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics. For the month of February we will be reviewing art books that celebrate African Americans. In celebrating Black History Month we will review graphic novels, picture books on art, poetry, hip-hop, dance, music, and learn about one of the most important moments in history: the Harlem Renaissance. These books can be found in our print collection at The Trove and on OverDrive. At the end of the post, you'll also find some fun and educational
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Black History Month Events
This February we're celebrating Black History Month with a variety of events for all ages. Below is a chronological list of events and various resources and reading lists. To see a full list of our February events, please check our online calendar. Through February 28th Film Screening: Black Ballerina Black Ballerina is a story of passion, opportunity, heartbreak and triumph of the human spirit. Set in the overwhelmingly white world of classical dance, it tells the stories of several black women from different generations who fell in love with ballet. Sixty years ago, while pursuing their dreams of careers in
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African American Trailblazers
During Black History Month, let’s celebrate some of the African Americans who left their marks on America. Ms. Tata has curated a list of biographies that highlight the achievements of some of these stars. These books feature people who worked in diverse fields while breaking barriers, inventing, discovering, and creating — leaving a better world for us as a result. Enjoy their experiences below. She Was the First!: the Trailblazing Life of Shirley Chisholm, by Katheryn Russell-Brown Library Catalog Flying Free: How Bessie Coleman’s Dreams Took Flight, by Karyn Parsons Library Catalog Misty Copeland: Ballet Star, by Sarah Howden Library
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Jackie Robinson: More Than a Ballplayer
Thursday, February 11th at 6:30 p.m. Some historians make the mistake of placing a historical figure in a box and not presenting a fuller picture of the individual. Robinson also wrote a nationally syndicated column, founded a bank, appeared frequently on FACE THE NATION, served as a sports team's general manager and league commissioner, was an influencer of Presidents, Governors, and Senators as an informal Civil Rights activist. It's time to hear more about #42 beyond his Brooklyn Dodger exploits. In this presentation John Vorperian, President of the White Plains Historical Society, will discuss Jackie Robinson's accomplishments in addition to
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Black History Month StoryWalk: Mamie on the Mound
The Trove’s 2021 Black History StoryWalk Mamie on the Mound: A Woman in Baseball’s Negro Leagues By Leah Henderson Illustrated by George Doutsiopoulos Starting January 28th, 2021 Get ready to step back in time as you take a walk along Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and the Library Plaza. Follow the panels and read Mamie on the Mound by Leah Henderson and illustrated by George Doutsiopoulos. The StoryWalk is up and ready to view on the Library's windows through 2/23. Mamie on the Mound tells the real-life story of Mamie “Peanut” Johnson who did not let her “two strikes”
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#BlackJoy Picture Books
Black History Month is celebrated in February, but Black history encompasses every day from the beginnings of this nation, to today and onto the future. The struggles of the past, as well as the present, should not be ignored or forgotten, however it is equally important to remember and celebrate the joys and triumphs. Children’s author Kelly Starling Lyons eloquently writes in her blog, “Children’s books showcasing Black joy remind us of the beauty of family, friendship and community. They are touchstones that surround us with the blessing of who we are. In a world that tries to set us
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African American Tradition
The African American tradition of storytelling helps bring together collective experiences and wisdom through well-known characters and stories as in the ones selected here. Enjoy these stories of hope, humor, kindness, cleverness, and more. Jump! The Adventures of Brer Rabbit, by Joel Chandler Harris “The folktales collected by Harris from former slaves at the end-of-the-century constitute a valuable contribution to African American folklore. The illustrations, full-page portraits of the character and their antics, are in pen-and-ink and watercolors. They match the text in humor and vigor.”—School Library Journal The Headless Haunt and Other African-American Ghost Stories, by James Haskins “A
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Dive Into Diversity: Black History for Teens
White Plains is a wonderfully diverse community! Parents, children and teens have expressed an interest in titles that reflect the diversity in the community, and Ashley, Kathlyn, and Raquel's “Dive Into Diversity” column will spotlight noteworthy children's and teen titles that are inclusive, diverse and multicultural to fulfill that interest. Kathlyn‘s portion is aimed at readers in grades 7-12. Black Enough: Stories of Being Young & Black in America, edited by Ibi Zoboi Grades 9 and up “No collection could represent the entire spectrum of blackness, however, the presence of trans, Afro-Latinx, and physically disabled characters is missed: a clarion
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Dive Into Diversity: Black History Month for Grades 4-6
White Plains is a wonderfully diverse community! Parents, children and teens have expressed an interest in titles that reflect the diversity in the community, and Ashley, Kathlyn, and Raquel's “Dive Into Diversity” column will spotlight noteworthy children's and teen titles that are inclusive, diverse and multicultural to fulfill that interest. Ashley's portion is aimed at readers in grades 4-6. Author and educator Zetta Elliott put together this incredible list of middle grade and young adult books published in 2019 by black authors. Below are a bunch of them that I’m especially looking forward to reading! New Kid by Jerry Craft
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Board Book Bonanza: Celebrating Black History Month
“Board Book Bonanza” will highlight the wealth of excellent board books being published for babies and young preschoolers for parents and caregivers to share with their little-ones. It's never too early to have fun and learn about science, art, history and so much more! The following is a list of positive and loving board books for babies available in the Trove to celebrate Black History Month: Be Boy Buzz by Bell Hooks & Christopher Raschka “Brown-skinned boys with long, curving arms and curly hair lope and leap across sienna-colored pages; bright squiggles of scribbled design add a geometric counterpoint to
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Dive into Diversity: Celebrating Black History Month with Picture Books
White Plains is a wonderfully diverse community! Parents, children and teens have expressed an interest in titles that reflect the diversity in the community, and Ashley, Kathlyn, and Raquel's “Dive Into Diversity” column will spotlight noteworthy children's and teen titles that are inclusive, diverse and multicultural to fulfill that interest. Raquel's portion is aimed at readers up to Grade 3. A great resource for parents and educators looking for the newest, excellent titles for children by African-American writers and illustrators is The Brown Bookshelf’s 28 Days Later: A Black History Month Celebration of Children’s Literature at 28 Days Later. Highlighted
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