Black History Month

February 1-28

Honor, reflect, and celebrate Black voices with us this February at JCL.

Across the district, we will honor African American history and celebrate the contributions of Black Americans to literature, art, music, culinary arts, and so much more.

Registration is required unless otherwise noted.

JCL-Arnold

Art Masters Class: Harriet Powers

Wednesday, February 12 at 4:30 PM

Ages 6-14


Learn about the artist Harriet Powers before creating a project based on her artwork "Pictorial Quilt."

Sojourner Truth and Me

Saturday, Feb. 22 at 2 PM

4th grade+


History comes to life in a “talk show” with time-traveling guest Sojourner Truth, who will answer audience questions and give her famous speech, “Ain’t I a Woman.” 

Book Discussion: A Lesson Before Dying

Thursday, February 27 at 6 PM

Adults


Discuss "A Lesson Before Dying," which “follows the story of the friendship formed between a disheartened schoolteacher and a Black man falsely accused of murder in Jim Crow era Louisiana.” A limited number of copies are available for check out at the Information Desk.

JCL-Cedar Hill

Powerful Posters

All month long

All ages


Learn about the important contributions of African American inventors.

JCL-Northwest

Moses Dickson and the African American Fight for Equality in Guilded Age Missouri

with Dr. Jeffrey Smith

Wednesday, February 5 at 5 PM

Teens and Adults


Dr. Jeff Smith joins us for a Black History Month program about Moses Dickson and the African American Fight for Equality in Gilded Age Missouri. Moses Dickson (1824-1901) was among the most prominent African Americans in the Gilded Age, leading organizations and publications to gain equal political and social status in Missouri. This talk uses Dickson as a window to view race relations between Dickson’s arrival in St. Louis in 1845 and his death in 1901. 

Alma Thomas-Inspired

Abstract Landscape

Monday, Feb. 24 at 5:30 PM

Adults


Create your own oil pastel art inspired by the work of midcentury abstract painter Alma Thomas. 

All supplies will be provided.  

Spotlight on: Heroes

Series

Teens and adults welcome. Please note movie rating.


Saturday, February 8 at 12 PM: Selma (PG-13)

Friday, February 14 at 2 PM: Just Mercy (PG-13)

Friday, February 21 at 2 PM: Harriet (PG-13)

Friday, February 28 at 2 PM: Till (PG-13)

JCL-Windsor

Story Time:

African American Musicians

Tuesday, February 4 and Tuesday, February 25 at 10 AM

Ages 2-5

Portraits with Power: Paint Like Basquiat

Friday, February 21 at 3 PM

Adults


Discover the bold and expressive style of Jean-Michel Basquiat, one of the most influential Black artists of the 20th century. Learn about his life and how that influenced his unique art techniques. Afterwards, we will create a self-portrait in his distinctive style.

All supplies will be provided.