Celebrated throughout February, Black History Month honours the history, culture, and contributions of black Canadians to our society. The library is proud to offer unique events, displays, and resources.

New books for Black History Month include Black Boys Like Me by Matthew R. Morris. Filled with personal essays, this book explores the intersection of race, Black masculinity, hip-hop culture, and education. Asking what it means to be a young Black man with an immigrant father and a white mother living on Indigenous land, the author grapples with identity and belonging.

Dr. Howard D. McCurdy’s contribution to Canadian society is examined in Black Activist, Black Scientist, Black Icon. He was Canada’s first Black tenured professor; a founder of the Canadian Civil Liberties Association; a founder of the National Black Coalition of Canada; the person who named the New Democratic Party; and the second Black person elected to Parliament.

Young readers will enjoy Canadian author Wanda Taylor’s novel The Grover School Pledge. This novel explores racism and prejudice as young Arlaina Jefferson struggles to deal with thoughtless comments from fellow students and teachers. Bolstered by her father’s experience in the Million Man March, Arlaina teams up with friends and a host of other Grover School students to right a systemic wrong. Proving you are grown doesn’t always mean staying out of trouble.

The library is thrilled to present three unique events celebrating Black History Month. Author and musician Antonio Michael Downing visits the main branch on Feb. 8 at 6:30 p.m. for an evening of singing, reading, and conversation. His novel Saga Boy was shortlisted for the 2021 Speaker’s Book Award and longlisted for the 2021 Toronto Book Award.

Explore the history of gospel music in Canada with a live and interactive event with Karen Burke on Feb. 15 at 6:30 p.m. A native of Brantford, Karen’s roots in gospel music were nurtured in Brantford’s S. R. Drake Memorial Church – named after her great-grandfather.

You can get creative this Black History Month at an art and wine event with visual artist Nicole Alexander on Feb. 29 at 6 p.m. Join Nicole for an art lesson, sip some wine, and enjoy some soothing music. Attendees will receive a free canvas and paint at this event.

Registration is required for all three Black History Month events. Visit the Event Calendar on the library’s website to register or call and register with library staff.

At Your Library is a weekly column provided by the staff of the Brantford Public Library. Readers requiring more information can visit www.brantfordlibrary.ca

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