African American History Month
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The Cobb County Public Library System has a diverse staff and is committed to serving the needs of the multicultural public of Cobb County. For more information on the diversity of Cobb County, please see the Demographic Profile.
African American History Month, also called Black History Month, is a month-long commemoration of African American history and achievement that takes place each February in the United States. It was begun in 1976. Read more in the online Encyclopedia Britannica.
View a press release about this year's celebration here»
Upcoming Events
Click on the event title to be taken to the calendar, where you can find information about the event, including intended audience, registration information, and other important details.
Questions about any event can be directed to the branch where it will be held. You can find branch contact information by clicking on the branch name.
For questions about any of this information, you may contact Julia Huprich, Public Relations Contact, at (770) 528-7953 or huprichj@cobbcat.org; or Patty Latch, Program Coordinator, at (770) 528-2342 or latchp@cobbcat.org.
- January 31: African American Genealogy Presentation
Central Library, 6:30 pm
Kick off Black History Month by learning how to find your roots and ancestors at this informative presentation. Carolyn Crawford, head of the Cobb County Public Library System's Georgia Room, will highlight specific tools for researching genealogy, including online databases and local resources. She will also provide a tour of the Georgia Room and the library's Cobb African American Connection webpage (available at http://www.cobbcat.org/GaRm-AAC.html). This program is free and open to the public; registration is not required. For more information, please call (770) 528-2333.
Downloadable flier - February 2: Author Visit: Shelia Moses
Vinings Library, 3:30 pm
As part of our observance of Black History month, Ms. Moses will discuss her background, growing up in a small town in North Carolina, and how she researched and wrote several of her historical fiction novels for young readers. She will also take questions from the audience, and do a book-signing, sponsored by the Friends of the Library. For more information, please call (770) 801-5330.
Downloadable flier - February 3: African American History Month Story Time
South Cobb Regional Library, 3:30 pm. Join us for stories, songs, and fun. For more information, please call (678) 398-5834. - February 4: African American History Month Family Craft Program
West Cobb Regional Library, 11 am. Drop in for a fun craft; this week's theme is African masks. For more information, please call (770) 528-4699. - February 4: African American History Month Film Festival
West Cobb Regional Library, 3:30 pm. Each Saturday in February at 3:30 pm we'll screen a different family-oriented movie. Bring your snack! This week's movie: Daddy Day Care (PG, 92 minutes). For more information, please call (770) 528-4699. - February 6: African American Heritage Film Series
Central Library, 5:30 pm
We'll watch "The Help" (PG-13, 146 minutes). An aspiring author during the civil rights movement of the 1960s decides to write a book detailing the African-American maid's point of view on the white families for which they work, and the hardships they go through on a daily basis. Film based on the book. - February 11: African American History Month Gala
Central Library, 2 pm
Join us at the Central Library for our second-annual African American History Month Gala! The Cobb County Public Library System invites you to an afternoon of entertainment, culture and history in celebration of African American History Month. Scheduled performers and presenters include the A.L. Burruss Unity Drummers, the Zion Liturgical Dancers, the South Cobb High School Steppers, Mrs. Deane Bonner of the Cobb NAACP, and saxophonist Mr. Ravan Durr. For more information, please call (770) 528-7953.
Downloadable flier - February 11: African American History Month Film Festival
West Cobb Regional Library, 3:30 pm. Each Saturday in February at 3:30 pm we'll screen a different family-oriented movie. Bring your snack! This week's movie: Akeelah and the Bee (PG, 112 minutes). For more information, please call (770) 528-4699. - February 13: African American Heritage Film Series
Central Library, 5:30 pm. We'll watch "For Love of Liberty: The Story of America's Black Patriots, Part 1: The Revolution through WWII" (NR, 110 minutes). Gain an unprecedented look at the experiences and accomplishments of African Americans in the military, and learn why such a group of heroic men and women would fight for the freedom of others that they themselves weren't able to enjoy. Hosted by Halle Berry with an introduction by General Colin Powell, and featuring the voices of Morgan Freeman, Bill Cosby, Danny Glover, and more. - February 13: African American Book Club: Alisha Thomas Morgan's "No Apologies"
Stratton Library, 5:45 pm
Join us for a discussion of "No Apologies: Powerful Lessons in Life, Love, and Politics," with author and State House Representative Alisha Thomas Morgan. For more information, please call (770) 528-2522.
Downloadable flier
- February 18: African American History Month Film Festival
West Cobb Regional Library, 3:30 pm. Each Saturday in February at 3:30 pm we'll screen a different family-oriented movie. Bring your snack! This week's movie: Michael Jackson's This is It (PG, 111 minutes). For more information, please call (770) 528-4699. - February 20: African American History Month Family Craft Program
West Cobb Regional Library, 11 am. Drop in for a fun craft; this week's theme is Underground Railroad quilts. For more information, please call (770) 528-4699. - February 20: African American Heritage Film Series
Central Library, 5:30 pm. We'll watch "For Love of Liberty: The Story of America's Black Patriots, Part 2: The Korean War to the Present" (NR, 110 minutes). Gain an unprecedented look at the experiences and accomplishments of African Americans in the military, and learn why such a group of heroic men and women would fight for the freedom of others that they themselves weren't able to enjoy. Hosted by Halle Berry with an introduction by General Colin Powell, and featuring the voices of Morgan Freeman, Bill Cosby, Danny Glover, and more. - February 22: African American History Month Story Time
East Cobb Library, 4:15 pm - February 25: African American History Month Film Festival
West Cobb Regional Library, 3:30 pm. Each Saturday in February at 3:30 pm we'll screen a different family-oriented movie. Bring your snack! This week's movie: The Princess and the Frog (G, 98 minutes). For more information, please call (770) 528-4699. - February 27: African American Heritage Film Series
Central Library, 5:30 pm. We'll watch "Black Indians: An American Story" (NR, 60 minutes). Narrator James Earl Jones brings to life the forgotten story of the cultural and racial fusion of Native and African Americans. This program explores what brought the two groups together, what drove them apart, and the challenges that face them today. Family memories and historic highlights reveal the indelible mark of this unique American ancestry, and its continuing influence across the nation. - February 29: African American History Month Bingo
West Cobb Regional Library, 3:30 pm. School age children are invited to play games and win small prizes. For more information please call (770) 528-4699. - February 29: African American History Month Film
East Cobb Library, 4:15 pm
Resources
- Websites and Databases
- Cobb African American Connection
- Digital Library of Georgia*
- HeritageQuest. This database is part of GALILEO and requires the GALILEO password. Find more information about how to get the password by clicking here.
- Special Report: Black History Month*
- Booklists
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