Monday, February 2, 2026

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

County Library Celebrates Black History Month with a Variety of Engaging Programs for All Ages

Largo, Maryland – The Prince George’s County Memorial Library System (PGCMLS) is proud to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Black History Month, by hosting more than 70 engaging library programs throughout the month of February that celebrate Black culture, heritage, and history. 

The Library’s Black History Month programming line-up will feature a “100th Birthday Tribute” to Miles Davis and John Coltrane presented by trumpeter and jazz historian Muneer Nasser; an exciting jump rope showcase presented by the Greenbelt SITY Stars; a storytelling performance about the 1839 Amistad Rebellion presented by Truth Seeker Adwoa; the return of the family-favorite “Heroes of Black History Puppet Show,” presented by Ebony Sonshine Puppets; and a series of special children’s storytimes with local authors Ada Ari (“The Spider’s Thin Legs,” “The Turtle’s Cracked Shell”) and Allen R. Wells (“Yvonne Clark and Her Engineering Spark,” “Danté Plays His Blues”). 

Alongside these highlights, branch libraries across the system will be hosting specially themed storytimes, craft programs, book discussions, and film screenings for customers of all ages.

“The 100th anniversary of Black History Month, which began as Negro History Week, is truly a milestone,” says Dr. Mark Winston, CEO of the Prince George’s County Memorial Library System. “We are very pleased to provide such a robust collection of program offerings for our customers throughout Prince George’s County as we highlight so many aspects of the richness of Black history and culture.”

The Library also invites customers to celebrate Black History Month with a visit to the Sojourner Truth Room at the Oxon Hill Branch Library, where PGCMLS hosts a large multimedia collection dedicated to African American history, both in Prince George’s County and beyond. Additionally, customers are encouraged to explore Black History Month collections on Kanopy, Hoopla, and OverDrive, digital resources which are available free on demand with a PGCMLS library card.

Featured PGCMLS Black History Month events are highlighted below. For the full listing of Black Heritage programming at PGCMLS, both in February and throughout the year, please visit our online calendar. 

Community members are also invited to visit PGCMLS’ Black Heritage hub, which is available 24/7 and serves as a cultural resource that includes book recommendations, historical timelines, research databases, upcoming events, and more. The Black Heritage hub can be visited anytime at pgcmls.info/black-heritage. 

Featured PGCMLS Events Celebrating Black History Month

African Storytelling Reimagined!

Presented by Author Ada Ari

Free | Tuesday, Feb. 3 at 6:30 pm | Ages 4-8 | Accokeek Branch Library | Link

Free | Wednesday, Feb. 4 at 6:30 pm | Ages 4-8 | Baden Branch Library | Link

Proudly celebrating Black History Month, the Library is thrilled to host local children’s author Ada Ari! Kids will have a blast with Ada as she shares a fun African folktale about Anansi the spider. They’ll also get to dance to lively Ghanaian music, learn cool facts about the Ashanti Kingdom, and have fun with stickers! Ada ensures an immersive and educational experience, making learning a joy for young readers. 

Heroes of Black History Puppet Show

Presented by Ebony Sonshine Puppets

Free | Wednesday, Feb. 4 at 6 pm | Ages 3-8 | Glenarden Branch Library | Link

Free | Wednesday, Feb. 11 at 6:30 pm | Ages 3-8 | Largo-Kettering Branch Library | Link

Free | Saturday, Feb. 21 at 1 pm | Ages 3-8 | Upper Marlboro Branch Library | Link

Free | Wednesday, Feb. 25 at 6:30 pm | Ages 3-8 | Hillcrest Heights Branch Library | Link

Watch history come to life in this engaging performance by Ebony Sonshine Puppets. Through dynamic storytelling, music, and puppetry, participants at this program will learn about inspiring Black history makers who changed the world.

“I Love My People: A Child’s Celebration of Black Culture” – Reading and Book Signing

Presented by Author Kimberly Singleton and Illustrator Kim Holt

Free | Thursday, Feb. 5 at 1:30 pm | Ages 4-8 | Surratts-Clinton Branch Library | Link

Join local author Kimberly Singleton and illustrator Kim Holt for a lively reading and book signing of “I Love My People: A Child’s Celebration of Black Culture,” their vibrant children’s book for ages 4-8. In this book, two children explore family, neighborhood, and celebrations like Juneteenth and Kwanzaa while learning about inspiring Black artists, athletes, scientists, and activists. Books will be available for purchase from the authors (no cash payments accepted). The reading will be followed by a book signing.

Miles Davis & John Coltrane 2026: 100th Birthday Tribute

Presented by Muneer Nasser, Trumpeter and Jazz Historian 

Free | Saturday, Feb. 7 at 1 pm | Teens and Adults | South Bowie Branch Library | Link

Free | Saturday, Feb. 28 at 1 pm | Teens and Adults | Surratts-Clinton Branch Library | Link

Did you know that 2026 marks the 100th anniversary of Black History Month? It also marks the centennial of the births of jazz legends Miles Davis and John Coltrane. Join Muneer Nasser and his trio for a special tribute celebrating the groundbreaking music and enduring influence of these two musicians. With his live performance and insights into their remarkable lives, Nasser — a musician, author, historian, and son of the late acclaimed jazz bassist Jamil Nasser — brings a personal and deeply informed perspective to two of jazz’s most iconic figures.

Jump Legacy: Honoring the Past, Jumping into the Future

Presented by Greenbelt SITY Stars

Free | Tuesday, Feb. 3 at 6:30 pm | Ages 5-12 | New Carrollton Branch Library | Link

Free | Saturday, Feb. 7 at 1 pm | Ages 5-12 | Spauldings Branch Library | Link

Free | Saturday, Feb. 21 at 1 pm | Ages 5-12 | Greenbelt Branch Library | Link

Honor the spirit and endurance of Black history through rhythm and motion with the Greenbelt SITY Stars, a local athletic club that has been training young people in the art of jump rope since 1991. At this program, you will enjoy a powerful, expressive jump rope showcase that celebrates storytelling through coordinated movement. Participants will also be invited to jump!

The Story of the 1839 Amistad Rebellion

Presented by Truth Seeker Adwoa

Free | Tuesday, Feb. 3 at 6:30 pm | Kids to Adults | Hyattsville Branch Library | Link

Free | Tuesday, Feb. 10 at 6:30 pm | Kids to Adults | Bladensburg Branch Library | Link

Free | Wednesday, Feb. 11 at 6:30 pm | Kids to Adults | Fairmount Heights Branch Library | Link

Through a riveting performance by Truth Seeker Adwoa (Adwoa Bandele-Asante), participants at this program will learn about the 1839 slave revolt aboard the Spanish schooner La Amistad. Grounding her performance in the perspective of a descendant of one of the victimized, Truth Seeker Adwoa will use details and artifacts from 19th-century West Africa to tell the story of the diverse, intelligent, and strong people who participated in the Amistad revolt, and to showcase how they united to make decisions without succumbing to their captors’ cruelty. Bandele-Asante’s work on this story grew from her time with Connecticut’s freedom schooner Amistad, including ongoing consultations with Sierra Leone scholars. The program will end with time for a Q&A session.

Celebrate Black History Month with Children’s Author Allen Wells!

Free | Saturday, Feb. 14 at 1 pm | Ages 4-8 | Beltsville Branch Library | Link

Free | Saturday, Feb. 21 at 1 pm | Ages 4-8 | Bowie Branch Library | Link

Allen R. Wells — accomplished local author, engineer, and advocate for inclusion and representation in children’s literature — returns to PGCMLS to share his children’s books celebrating Black voices, music, and imagination. After listening to Wells read from “Yvonne Clark and Her Engineering Spark” and “Danté Plays His Blues,” kids will get a chance to participate in an engaging Q&A session. A brief author signing will follow the program, during which Wells will have books available for purchase. 

To discuss coverage opportunities, contact PGCMLS Communications Specialist Alexis Gunderson at alexis.gunderson@pgcmls.info.

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About the Prince George’s County Memorial Library System

The Prince George’s County Memorial Library System (PGCMLS) is a beacon within its diverse and dynamic community. The Library serves Prince George’s County, Maryland’s 966,000+ residents through 19 public branches, a law library in the County Correctional Center, various pop-up services and events, and 24/7 access to free online resources. As a trusted and responsive community leader, PGCMLS democratizes knowledge and opportunity by providing safe, accessible spaces where customers of all backgrounds can freely engage with the resources needed to build knowledge, literacy, skills, and creativity at every phase of life. Learn more at pgcmls.info/about-us.