For Immediate Release: 2/9/2021 4:23 pm
The City of Worcester is pleased to announce and promote the following virtual programs and events in celebration of Black History Month in February. Many of the events are being done in collaboration with other cultural institutions throughout the City.
“While our way of holding public events has changed because of the COVID-19 virus, these programs and events allow us to recognize and celebrate the achievements and accomplishments of African-Americans. That has never been more important than at this point in time,” City Manager Edward M. Augustus, Jr. said. “The City of Worcester draws much of its strength from the diversity of its people, and Black History Month is a time to truly appreciate the contributions and impact from the African-American community. I encourage all our residents to take part in and enjoy these special events.”
WORCESTER PUBLIC LIBRARY
• The “Great American Read Book Club” with be reading “Beloved” by Toni Morrison, Tuesday, Feb. 23
• Joy and Devon’s Staff Picks: Black History Month Edition
• A Black History Month booklist for kids, teens and adults (to be shared online at www.mywpl.org and Monthly Reading Round Up Newsletter)
• A curated watch list through Kanopy, a movie-streaming service available to anyone with a library card
• Virtual events/digital exhibits hosted by other cultural institutions
• Working with the Worcester Art Museum to share 10-20 images that relate to African-American history to cross-promote on social media channels
• A blog entry on Langston Hughes (Feb. 1 would have been his 120th birthday) done by WPL Public Services and Local History Librarians
• Featured read-along videos in book-a-day format from Hoopla
• Two of the Friday Field Trip programs for kids will feature Bright Star Theater virtual, live productions with Black History content
• Young Adult Lit Book Chat on Facebook Live featuring Black History titles
• Rezarta Recommends Facebook Live will feature Black History titles
• Social media campaign in honor of Black History Month featuring prominent African-Americans
• Curated “Book Bundles” focused on telling the stories of Black Americans
WORCESTER SENIOR CENTER - STAY CONNECTED
• In honor of Black History Month, the Worcester Senior Center, in collaboration with the Worcester Art Museum, presents a video of Photographs of William Bullard titled “Worcester Art Museum Classes: The Photographs of William Bullard.” The video highlights the work of itinerant photographer William Bullard, who at the time of his death in 1918 left behind a trove of more than 5,400 glass negatives. Among those negatives are more than 230 portraits of African Americans and Native Americans, mostly from the Beaver Brook community in Worcester. The video is airing on Government Channel 192 throughout the month of February. Visit Video on Demand for a schedule of air times.
HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION, STATUS OF WOMEN AND ACCESSIBILITY ADVISORY COMMISSION
• Acknowledgment and sharing of community events during February meetings
