The Grand Rapids Public Library is offering many wonderful opportunities for Black History Month.

Week of February 1:

African American Architects with Isaac V. Norris, AIA, NOMA, LEED-AP

Join us for a two-part lecture on the history of African American architects in the United States. African Americans have contributed to the American landscape of architecture despite many educational and inclusion disparities. One of Grand Rapids’ own preeminent architects, Isaac Norris, will walk us through their storied history.

Part 1 – Tuesday, February 2, 2021, 6:00 pm        Part 2 – Tuesday, February 9, 2021, 6:00 pm        Virtual Event |GRPL’s Facebook Page and YouTube Channel

Community Spotlight: Grand Rapids Area Black Businesses (GRABB)

Wednesday, February 3, 2021, 12:00 pm        Virtual Event |GRPL’s Facebook Page and YouTube Channel

In this lunchtime mini-series, learn more about local Black-owned businesses and initiatives.

This week, hear about Grand Rapids Area Black Businesses (GRABB) which was founded in 2012 to create awareness and bring visibility to the Black business community. By 2013, it launched as an economic and business development entity to advance economic equity in Grand Rapids. GRABB has been working for the last 8 years empowering the Black business community that is leading to meaningful and beneficial economic growth and sustainability.

Music (NOT) in the Stacks: Edye Evans Hyde

Thursday, February 4, 2021, 7:00 – 8:00 pm        Virtual Event |GRPL’s Facebook Page and YouTube Channel

2011 West Michigan Jazz Society Musician of the Year, Edye Evans Hyde has been singing jazz, blues and pop music for over 30 years in West Michigan, Los Angeles, Asia and Europe. Several of us on the Anti-Racism Team had the privilege of learning together with Edye in a book club last summer.

Week of February 7:

Community Spotlight: A City Within A City Film with Victor Williams

Wednesday, February 10, 2021, 12:00 pm        Virtual Event |GRPL’s Facebook Page and YouTube Channel

In this lunchtime mini-series, learn more about local Black-owned businesses and initiatives.

This week, hear about how the Grand Rapids Media Initiative & Film Incubator with Grand Stand Pictures and affiliated community partners will soon begin production of a full length documentary film. The film will reveal how the dignity and humanity of the Black community in Grand Rapids persists in overcoming the insidiousness of #ManagerialRacism as defined by author Todd Robinson, in his book A City Within A City: The Black Freedom Struggle in Grand Rapids.

Music (NOT) in the Stacks: Tom Cutts

Thursday, February 11, 2021, 7:00 – 8:00 pm        Virtual Event |GRPL’s Facebook Page and YouTube Channel

Tom Cutts is a gifted guitarist, songwriter and singer. His musical styling blends gospel, jazz, blues, R&B and rock. His concerts bring refreshing covers of many musical standards and include original music penned in multiple genres. He has played many genres in various music festivals, churches and venues throughout West Michigan.

Week of February 14:

Ebony Road Players Present ‘Anne and Emmett’

Tuesday, February 16, 2021, 6:00 pm        Virtual Event |GRPL’s Facebook Page and YouTube Channel

GRPL presents a virtual presentation of “Anne and Emmett.” In this imaginative stage play, Anne Frank and Emmett Till meet in a place called “Memory” to share accounts of their lives and deaths. The story, about Till, an African American boy, and Anne Frank, a German-Dutch Jewish girl, compares and contrasts how the racial injustices experienced on both ends were more similar than many people want to accept. It holds a mirror to all of us, showing that we are more alike than different and how important understanding and love will be in the healing of our world.

Community Spotlight: We Are Lit GR with Kendra McNeil

Wednesday, February 17, 2021, 12:00 pm        Virtual Event |GRPL’s Facebook Page and YouTube Channel

In this lunchtime mini-series, learn more about local Black-owned businesses and initiatives.

This week discover We Are LIT, an independent, multicultural bookshop based in Grand Rapids, selling new, diverse books across all genres.

Music (NOT) in the Stacks: Karisa Wilson

Thursday, February 18, 2021, 7:00 – 8:00 pm        Virtual Event |GRPL’s Facebook Page and YouTube Channel

Karisa Wilson is an award winning singer-songwriter from Michigan. Her debut album “Little Girl” won the WYCE’s Album of the Year Jammie, one of Michigan’s most prestigious indie music awards. Karisa writes and performs a blend of indie folk, jazz and blues. She is also a classically trained violinist. 

Week of February 21:

Taste of Soul Sunday

Sunday, February 21, 2021, 1:00 – 2:30 pm        Virtual Event |GRPL’s Facebook Page and YouTube Channel

We’re taking our popular Taste of Soul Sunday event online! Enjoy a series of virtual events and enjoy our Taste of Soul Sunday Restaurant Showcase.

Music (NOT) in the Stacks: Jordan Hamilton

Thursday, February 25, 2021, 7:00 – 8:00 pm        Virtual Event |GRPL’s Facebook Page and YouTube Channel

Jordan Hamilton, cellist of Last Gasp Collective and the Southwest Michigan Symphony Orchestra, merges songwriting, loop pedals, sample machines, and vocals to create a sonic landscape of experimental hip-hop, folk, soul, and classical music. The Western Michigan University graduate aims to find new ways for the cello, a traditional instrument, to relate to a modern audience where it can be found playing the music of Bach, the Beatles, or Chance the Rapper.

Click here for a list of recommended books from the Neland Book Club.