Join us for these RPL Black History Month Events!
African American Career Day
Saturday, February 4, 2023
10 AM – 2 PM
Hart Interim Library
Read Play Learn Room
African American presenters will speak about their dreams, careers, and past educational journey! There will be a small craft and grab bag for children and parents!
Kids’ Storytime & Craft
Friday, February 10, 2023
Friday, February 24, 2023
9 AM – 11 AM
Hart Interim Library
Read Play Learn Room
Listen to stories and make an African-American History-related craft.
Craft Day
Tuesday, February 21, 2023
10 AM – 1 PM
Hart Interim Library
Maker Lab
Come down to the Maker Lab and make an African American History-related craft.
FAB Dance & Fitness Academy
Presents a Walk Through the History of the Art of Dance
Sunday, February 19, 2023
Doors open at 3:30 PM, Show starts at 4 PM
RPL Nordlof Center
JR Sullivan Theater
118 N. Main Street
Tickets: $25 – Purchase at door or online via RPL Events calendar.
Cheat You Fair
Saturday, February 4, 2023
7 PM – 10:30 PM (Doors open at 6:30)
RPL Nordlof Center
JR Sullivan Theater
118 N. Main Street
Join us for a free concert and film showing of “Cheat You Fair: The Story of Chicago’s Maxwell Street, followed by live music from John Primer and the Real Deal Band!
Sponsored by RPL’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Team, and Crossroads Blues Society
Free Movies at the RPL Nordlof Center / JR Sullivan Theater
The Princess and The Frog
Sunday, February 5, 2023
3:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Black Panther Wakanda Forever
Saturday, February 11, 2023
5:00 PM – 8:00 PM
42 – The True Story of an American Legend
Sunday, February 12, 2023
1:30 PM
Hidden Figures
Sunday, February 12, 2023
4:00 PM
Space Jam
Sunday, February 25, 2023
12:00 PM
Space Jam Legacy
Sunday, February 25, 2023
2:00 PM
Explore Local Black History
During the early 1950’s Rockford’s three daily papers, the Rockford Morning Star and the Rockford Register-Republic and The Rockford Labor News did not publish many stories beyond “crime news” about or of interest to the Rockford African-American community. Mr. Joseph Scott Saunders, Jr. single-handedly created and produced The Crusader, in an effort to bring balance to Rockford’s news offerings and reporting of the African-American experience within our community.
Rockford Public Library is proud to offer this valuable community resource to the public. The Crusader records history that was not reported on elsewhere and tells the story of many African-Americans in Rockford, like Mr. Saunders who served our community with their time, talents and labor.
Deep Dive into Black History in America
BLACK LIFE IN AMERICA
Black Life in America: Provided through NewsBank, Black Life in America archives the experience and impact of African Americans as recorded by the news media. Covering the early 18th century to the early 21st, it covers an array of topics including slavery and flights to freedom, voting rights and voter suppression and disenfranchisement, among many others.
