Largo, MD – The Prince George’s County Memorial Library System (PGCMLS) celebrates Black history and culture year-round, with a spectrum of virtual events for Black History Month. The programs recognize the importance of Black history as central to American history. Prince Georgians can learn about Black voter engagement from Pulitzer-winner and county resident Leonard Pitts Jr. (February 11 at 7 pm), discover Harriet Tubman through an artistic portrayal by Janice Curtis Greene (February 5 at 4 pm: Harriet Tubman: In Her Own Words), and learn about leaders and strategies of the Civil Rights movement with authors Anna Malaika Tubbs (February 17 at 7 pm: “The Three Women”), and Jemar Tisby (February 9 at 7 pm: “How to Fight Racism”).

Visit the Library’s Black Heritage Hub to access a plethora of Black History Month resources including videos, a timeline, online exhibits, and more. ProQuest African American Heritage and ABC-CLIO The American Mosaic: The African American Experience are also accessible via PGCMLS. Check out Black history documentaries on Kanopy, Black cinema on Hoopla, and your favorite Black musical artists on Freegal in our Digital Suite. Read the latest on upcoming Black History Month events covered in magazines like Essence and newspapers found in the Library’s News Suite.

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Featured Author Events:

Jemar Tisby on "How to Fight Racism"

Tuesday, February 9 at 7 pm | Adults

Jemar Tisby, author of the award-winning book, "The Color of Compromise," encourages moving from mere discussion to implementation of “How to Fight Racism.” He advocates for equipping people with the practical tools to fight against it. Dr. Qamar ul-Huda, Vice President and Founding Director of the program on Conflict, Stabilization and Development at the Center for Global Policy (CGP), moderates. Co-presented with the Prince George’s County Human Relations Commission.

Leonard Pitts Jr. on Black Voter Engagement

Thursday, February 11 at 7 pm | Adults

Pulitzer Prize-winning columnist and author Leonard Pitts Jr., a resident of Prince George’s County, discusses the history of voter suppression in the United States and Black voter engagement in American politics. PGCMLS’ COO for Public Services Michelle Hamiel interviews. Co-presented with the Prince George’s County Human Relations Commission as part of the “Voting: Democracy in Action” series, funded in part with a Maryland Humanities Voices and Votes Electoral Engagement Project (VVEEP) Support Grant through the “Why it Matters: Civic and Electoral Participation” initiative, administered by the Federation of State Humanities Councils and funded by Andrew W. Mellon Foundation.

Anna Malaika Tubbs on "The Three Mothers"

Wednesday, February 17 at 7 pm | Adults

In her groundbreaking and essential debut “The Three Mothers,” scholar Anna Malaika Tubbs celebrates Black motherhood by telling the story of the three women who raised and shaped some of America's most pivotal heroes, Martin Luther King Jr., James Baldwin, and Malcolm X. Tubbs is joined by Jamise Harper, founder of @SpinesVines on Instagram. Co-presented with the Prince George’s County Human Relations Commission and Flatiron Books.

Featured Events:

• Friday, February 5 at 4 pm: Harriet Tubman: In Her Own Words (All ages)
• Wednesday, February 10 at 7 pm: Book Discussion: Becoming by Michelle Obama (Adults)
• Tuesday, February 16 at 7 pm: A24 Viewer's Advisory Series: The Last Black Man in San Francisco (Adults)
• Wednesday, February 17 at 3 pm: Career Chat: Historically Black Colleges (Teens & Adults)
• Thursday, February 18 at 7 pm: Black History Jeopardy: 4 Da Culture (Adults)
• Friday, February 19 at 4 pm: Black History Month: Children's Reader's Advisory (Ages 5-12)
• Friday, February 19 at 7 pm: Viewer's Advisory: Bridgerton (Adults)
• Monday, February 22 at 7 pm: Black Excellence & Achievements (Adults)
• Tuesday, February 23 at 7 pm: The Elephant We Don't See: A Diversity Dialogue – “Between the World and Me” by Ta-Nehisi Coates (Adults)
• Wednesday, February 24 at 7 pm: PGCMLS Open Mic: “For the Culture: Black Voices in the Arts” (Teens & Adults)
  

About the Prince George’s County Memorial Library System

The Prince George’s County Memorial Library System (PGCMLS) helps customers discover and define opportunities that shape their lives. The Library serves the 915,000+ residents of Prince George’s County, Maryland through 19 branch libraries, a 24/7 online library, and pop-up services throughout the community. PGCMLS is a responsive and trusted community-driven organization. Programs, services, and outreach activities serve booklovers, immigrants and refugees, job seekers, children, young professionals, seniors, and families alike. The Books from Birth and Ready 2 Read programs make the Library the primary source of early literacy education and Kindergarten readiness programs in the County.

PGCMLS’ robust online offerings include curated content collections for kids, teens, educators, Spanish speakers, and more. Virtual events and outreach provide access to the Library from the comfort of home or on the go. Special programs include the D.R.E.A.M. Lab, STEM Pals, and 3D printing, which offer teens and lifelong learners with opportunities to learn cutting-edge technology and STEM skills for job readiness or personal enrichment. The Library also provides drive-up WiFi access at all branches and mobile hotspot devices. The Library’s Laurel Branch Library received the 2018 AIA/ALA Library Building Award and was designated the best new public building in Maryland.