Explore Black History Month programming at SCLSNJ’s ten branches:
Do You Have a Dream? (all ages)
January 2-20
SCLSNJ’s Warren Twp. Library branch, located at 42 Mountain Boulevard in Warren Twp.
Share your dream in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday.
Black History Month Sports Bulletin (all ages)
February 1-28
SCLSNJ’S Mary Jacobs Memorial Library branch, located at 64 Washington Street in Rocky Hill
Learn about famous African-American athletes.
The Art of E.B. Lewis Display (all ages)
February 1-28
SCLSNJ’s Watchung Library branch, located at 12 Stirling Road in Watchung
Explore art and books from illustrator, E.B. Lewis.
Black History Month: A Learning Scavenger Hunt (all ages)
SCLSNJ’s Peapack & Gladstone Library branch, located at the Municipal Complex on School Street in Peapack
February 1-28, 9:30 a.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Test your knowledge of African-American history by participating in a scavenger hunt.
The Sounds of Motown: Featuring Rhonda Denet and the Silver Fox Trio
February 3, noon – 1 p.m.
SCLSNJ’s Manville Library branch, located at 100 South 10th Avenue in Manville
With its distinctive, upbeat, and infectious rhythms, Motown brought together pop and soul, and became the beat of America.
Harlem Hellfighters: They Made Music, Art, and War (adults)
February 6, 7-8 p.m.
SCLSNJ’S Mary Jacobs Memorial Library branch, located at 64 Washington Street, Rocky Hill
Get to know the 369th Regiment U.S. Infantry, also known as the Harlem Hellfighters.
African Mask Making (grades K-5)
Learn about West African culture and make your own African clay mask with Ivy Omere. This event will be hosted at four branches.
- February 7, 4:15-5:30 p.m. at SCLSNJ’s Warren Twp. Library branch, located at 42 Mountain Boulevard in Warren Twp.
- February 8, 3:30-4:45 p.m. at SCLSNJ’s North Plainfield Memorial Library branch, located at 6 Rockview Avenue in North Plainfield
- February 15, 4:30-5:45 p.m. at SCLSNJ’s Bridgewater Library branch, located at 1 Vogt Drive in Bridgewater
- February 20, 7-8:15 p.m. at SCLSNJ’s Hillsborough Library branch, located at 379 South Branch Road in Hillsborough
African Storytelling: Games and Crafts (grades K-6)
February 7, 5-6 p.m.
SCLSNJ’S Mary Jacobs Memorial Library branch, located at 64 Washington Street in Rocky Hill
Explore the history of African culture through folklore, games, and crafts.
West African Dance Featuring Live Drumming (adults)
February 7, 7-8 p.m.
SCLSNJ’s Hillsborough Library branch, located at 379 South Branch Road in Hillsborough
Learn the history of African dance through movement and music.
Hip Hop History: How it all Began (grades 7-12)
February 10, 2-3:30 p.m.
SCLSNJ’S Hillsborough Library branch, located at 379 south Branch Road in Hillsborough
Learn about hip-hop during the ‘70s, then write and produce your song.
In the Key of Stevie: Featuring Rhonda Denét and the Silver Fox Trio (adults)
February 10, 2-3 p.m.
SCLSNJ’s Bound Brook Memorial Library branch, located at 402 East High Street in Bound Brook
Songs from the ‘60s through the ‘80s — celebrating the music of Stevie Wonder.
The African American Story of the Sourlands (adults)
February 13, 7-8:30 p.m.
SCLSNJ’s Hillsborough Library branch, located at 379 South Branch Road in Hillsborough
Discover the extensive African-American history of the Sourlands area.
What a Wonderful World: The Magic of Louis Armstrong’s Later Years (adults)
February 15, 7-8 p.m.
SCLSNJ’s Warren Twp. Library branch, located at 42 Mountain Boulevard in Warren Twp.
Armed with precious rare footage, Ricky Riccardi from the Louis Armstrong House Museum in Queens, New York, will bring Armstrong to life.
Actor Marvin Jefferson as York (adults)
February 17, 1-2:30 p.m.
SCLSNJ’s Somerville Library branch, located at 35 West End Avenue in Somerville
Actor and historian Marvin Jefferson will portray African-American explorer York.
The Roots of Resistance: The Artistic Voice of W.E.B. Du Bois (adults)
February 20, 7-8 p.m.
SCLSNJ’s North Plainfield Memorial Library branch, located at 6 Rockview Avenue in North Plainfield
A conversation about W.E.B. Du Bois, led by Dr. Randall Westbrook, professor from the School of Education at Fairleigh Dickinson University. Westbrook’s work on Du Bois has appeared in numerous academic journals and college textbooks.
Vegan Cooking: Lil’ Tofu Po’ Boys (adults)
February 22, 6:30-8:30 p.m.
SCLSNJ’s North Plainfield Memorial Library branch, located at 6 Rockview Avenue in North Plainfield
Learn to create a vegan version of this classic New Orleans recipe.
Universal African Dance and Drum Ensemble (all ages)
February 24, 2-3:30 p.m.
The Auditorium of the Vo-Tech, located at 14 Vogt Drive, next to SCLSNJ’s Bridgewater branch
Celebrate the beauty of African culture with a spirited performance.
African-American Film “Tringo” (grades 1-6)
February 28, 5:30-6:30 p.m.
SCLSNJ’S Mary Jacobs Memorial Library branch, located at 64 Washington Street in Rocky Hill
Celebrate African-Americans in film with a movie and trivia night.
African-Americans and the Academy Awards
February 28, 7-8:30 p.m.
SCLSNJ’S Mary Jacobs Memorial Library branch, located at 64 Washington Street in Rocky Hill
A fascinating review of the history of African-Americans and the Academy Awards.
Registration for programs is required. For more information or to register, visit SCLSNJ.org or contact your local Library branch.