The Charleston County Public Library is celebrating Black History Month throughout the month of February with programs, music and cooking, speaker events and more! Black History Month is an annual celebration that recognizes the achievements of African Americans and their role in history.
Below you’ll find a look at some of the programs we have scheduled throughout the month. In addition to programs, several branches have books displays you can visit. Want to know more? Call your local branch for more information about this month's programs and visit the CCPL calendar of events for a full list of events.
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Branch Events These are just a few highlighted events/programs throughout our branch system! Visit your local CCPL library branch's calendar for more events/programs celebrating Black History Month!
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Enjoy a special and engaging family event presented by Eric Amoquandoh, who will share West African folktales, stories, and drumming at the Baxter-Patrick James Island Library on Saturday, Feb. 10 at 11 a.m. All ages are welcome. While you're at the branch, check out the display, High Water Everywhere: The Story of the Delta Blues to learn about the history of blues. |
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Join us at the Keith Summey North Charleston Library for a Book Talk with Author and Reporter Adam Parker on Tuesday, Feb. 6 at 6 p.m. He’ll discuss his latest book Outside Agitator: The Civil Rights Struggle of Cleveland Sellers. No registration required. This branch is also hosting the following children’s programs: Create art and learn about Alma Thomas, a major Black American artist of the 20th century who is best known for her exuberant, colorful, abstract paintings on Wednesday, Feb. 7 at 3:30 p.m. This program is for ages 6-11. Hear the story of Bintu, sample breadfruit and learn to prepare West African Black-Eyed Pea Fritters on Saturday, Feb. 17 at 2 p.m. This program is for ages 6 and up. Join us for a special movie afternoon in celebration of Black History Month on Wednesday, Feb. 21 at 3:30 p.m. We'll be screening Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, a movie about Miles Morales who catapults across the Multiverse and redefines what it means to be a hero. Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse is rated PG. All ages. Enjoy an audio-visual journey exploring the history of Black American music and highlighting Amaker’s children’s book “Black Music Is.” Featuring music, video, storytelling, poetry, and interactive elements. This program is on Thursday, Feb. 29 at 3:30 p.m. All Ages. Visit the Keith Summey North Charleston Library Children’s Department all month long to learn about black musicians who have been innovators in their fields and have changed music as we know it. |
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The Hurd/ St. Andrews Library is hosting a few passive programs happening throughout the month in the children’s department. Celebrate Black History Month with a rotating selection of crafts inspired by Alma Thomas, Louis Armstrong and other notable figures in the children’s department. Learn about notable Black Americans as you search for their picture hidden in the children's area. This branch is also hosting Yoga for Kids Black History Month addition on Saturday, Feb. 3 at 11 a.m. |
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Main Library is hosting a “Storybook Art: Black History Celebration” program for kids on Thursday, February 8 at 3:15 p.m. Craft your own pieces of art in the style of celebrated picture book illustrators in honor of Black History Month. This program is geared toward kids ages 5-11. |
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Join author Margaret Seidler as she shares the painful story of discovering her family's past as slave traders in downtown Charleston. Renowned artist John W. Jones brings this troubling past to life through his paintings. This program is taking place at the Wando Mt. Pleasant Library on Saturday, February 10 from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The Town of Mount Pleasant Historical Commission is hosting a series of cultural programs to celebrate Black History and the Gullah Heritage of Mount Pleasant at the Wando Mt. Pleasant Library. On Feb. 3 at 2 p.m. they will have an Edmund Jenkins and Panel Discussion with Law Enforcement. On Feb. 24 at 2 p.m. there will be a Historic Phillips Community Panel Discussion. |
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St. Paul’s Hollywood Library is hosting Monday Movie with a viewing of A Raisin in the Sun. Based on the play by Lorraine Hansberry, An African American family struggles with poverty, racism, and inner conflict as they strive for a better way of life. You can watch the movie on Monday, Feb. 26 at 5:30 p.m. |
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The John L. Dart Library is hosting a few programs in celebration of Black History Month. There will be a zine making program for kids where students can create their own handmade publication on Tuesday, Feb. 20 at 3 p.m. Middle and high school student can participate in the Your Voice Matters: PowerPoint Creation program. Come and pick a topic or person you care about and learn how to make a PowerPoint presentation. There will be a prize for the winner. This program is on Monday, Feb. 26 at 3 p.m. for grades 6 – 12. Join us in celebration of Black History Month with crafts and a special program that highlights technology literacy and amplifying black voices. This celebration for all ages is on Thursday, Feb. 29 from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. |
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Visit the Otranto Road Library on Thursday, Feb. 22 from 5 p.m .to 7 p.m. to celebrate Black History Month through music, artwork, stories, trivia, and more. Families are welcome. |
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Edisto Island Library presents “Keeping the Peace in Reconstruction Era South Carolina" by Nathan Betcher, Supervisory Historian for the Reconstruction Era National Historical Park in Beaufort on Era South Carolina” This program is on Thursday, February 28 at 4 p.m. |
CCPL’s history podcast, Charleston Time Machine, produce by Dr. Nic Butler, the library's historian, will have two new episodes in commemoration of Black History Month. Check out one of the previews below and stay tuned for more information:
John L. Dart, Champion of Education
The recently renovated John L. Dart Library at 1067 King Street bears the name of a pioneering figure in the history of education in Charleston. Born free during the last years of slavery, Dart benefited from the first flowering of African-American schools after the Civil War and attained advanced degrees. He returned to his home town in 1886 as a Baptist minister and devoted the rest of his life to the creation of free schools providing practical, vocational training to African-American children. In the next episode of Charleston Time Machine, we’ll trace the mercurial progress of Rev. Dart’s educational campaign and the enduring legacy of his work. You can check out the full episode on Friday, Feb. 2 here.