SLCL's 2024 Black History Celebration Features an All-Star Line-Up

St. Louis County Library will host a Black History Celebration in February. The theme for 2024 is “African American Arts: Inspiring, Impacting, and Influencing Every Generation.” Programs include a keynote event with MSNBC host Joy-Ann Reid, Hollywood legend Billy Dee Williams, WNBA star A’ja Wilson, performances by the Black Rep, a jazz concert, a gospel celebration, author events, dance workshops, and more.

Due to high demand, the keynote event with Joy-Ann Reid has been moved to a larger venue:  Shalom Church (City of Peace), 5491 N Hwy 67, Florissant, MO 63034. Additional tickets are now available through Eventbrite.

A list of highlighted events is below; a full schedule of events is available at www.slcl.org/black-history-celebration.

Keynote Speaker
Saturday, February 10, 7:00 p.m.

Ticketed Event: Joy-Ann Reid, “Medgar and Myrlie: Medgar Evers and the Love Story that Awakened America”
Frankie Freeman Inspirational Lecture
Shalom Church (City of Peace), 5491 N Hwy 67, Florissant, MO 63034
Host of MSNBC’s “The ReidOut” shares the extraordinary legacy of civil rights icons Medgar and Myrlie Evers. When Medgar Evers became the field secretary for the Mississippi branch of the NAACP, his wife Myrlie served as his secretary and confidant. On June 12, 1963, Medgar Evers became the highest profile victim of Klan–related assassination of a black civil rights leader at that time. In the wake of his tragic death, Myrlie carried on their legacy and became a leader in her own right. In this groundbreaking account of two heroes of the civil rights movement, Reid explores the on–the–ground work that went into winning basic rights for Black Americans.

Ron Himes will receive the Frankie Freeman Inspirational Award on February 8th at the Ethical Society of St. Louis. Mr. Himes is the Founder and Producing Director of the Saint Louis Black Repertory Company and the Henry E. Hampton, Jr. Artist-in-Residence at Washington University.

Tuesday, February 20, 7:00 p.m.
Ticketed Event: An Evening with Hollywood Legend Billy Dee Williams, “What Have We Here?: Portraits of a Life”
Skip Viragh Center for the Arts at Chaminade
Legendary actor Billy Dee Williams shares, in his own words, all that has sustained and carried him through a lifetime of dreams and adventure. From his Emmy-nominated breakout role in “Brian’s Song” to becoming a pop culture icon as Lando Calrissian in the Star Wars franchise, Williams has always projected irresistible screen presence and defied expectations. Williams’ memoir reflects on his extraordinary career unchecked by the racism and typecasting so rife in the mostly all-white industry in which he triumphed. 

Wednesday, January 31, 7:00 p.m.
Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah, “Chain–Gang All–Stars”
Emerson Auditorium at Washington University’s Knight Hall
An instant bestseller and finalist for the National Book Award, “Chain–Gang All–Stars” has drawn comparisons to Orwell’s “1984” and Margaret Atwood’s “The Handmaid’s Tale.” Loretta Thurwar and Hurricane Staxxx are the stars of Chain–Gang All–Stars, a highly–popular, highly–controversial, reality show/death battle profit–raising program in America’s private prison industry. It’s the return of the gladiators and prisoners are competing for the ultimate prize: their freedom. Moving from the fighters to the protestors and beyond, “Chain–Gang All–Stars” is a kaleidoscopic, excoriating look at the American prison system.

Wednesday, February 7, 6:30 p.m.
“Mia Dreams Bigger” Story Time and Dessert Tasting with Teen Author Chef Tamia
Lewis & Clark Branch
St. Louis’ very own Kidpreneur Chef Tamia will read her children’s book entitled “Mia Dreams Bigger.” She will answer questions about her book and how she started her business “Mia’s Treats Delight” when she was 8-years-old. Chef Tamia will also host a tasting of the delightful treats and sweets that she has to offer. Books will be available to purchase.

Thursday, February 8, 7:00 p.m.
Ayesha Rascoe, “HBCU Made: A Celebration of the Black College”
Ethical Society of St. Louis
Presented in partnership with Harris–Stowe State University and St. Louis Public Radio.
In Conversation with Marissanne Lewis-Thompson–Newscaster, St. Louis Public Radio
Host of NPR’s Weekend Edition Sunday, Ayesha Rascoe presents a joyous collection of essays about historically Black colleges and universities.

Friday, February 9, 7:00 p.m.
Set the Night to Music 
Florissant Valley Branch
Experience an enchanting evening filled with magic and music with the melodious sounds of Dana Austin and the Plush Band. 
All ages.

Thursday, February 15, 7:00 p.m.
Uché Blackstock, “Legacy: A Black Physician Reckons with Racism in Medicine”
Florissant Valley Branch
As an ER physician and professor in academic medicine, Uché Blackstock is profoundly aware of the systemic barriers that Black patients and physicians continue to face. Dr. Blackstock’s memoir, “Legacy,” is a journey through the critical intersection of racism and healthcare. “Legacy” is Dr. Blackstock’s odyssey from child to medical student to practicing physician—to finally seizing her own power as a health equity advocate against the backdrop of the pandemic and the Black Lives Matter movement.

Wednesday, February 21, 7:00 p.m.
Race in America: Past, Present and Future–Presented by The Black Rep
Lewis & Clark Branch
This performance comes alive with music, poetry and song in a compelling montage of works by artists from the past and present to examine the effects of racism throughout history and ask the burning question: “How far have we come?” 

Adults.

Thursday, February 22, 7:00 p.m.
A’ja Wilson, “Dear Black Girls: How to Be True to You”
Ethical Society of St. Louis
Despite gold medals and WNBA championships, Las Vegas Aces star A’ja Wilson knows how it feels to not be heard, to not feel seen, to not be taken seriously. Wilson shares stories from her own childhood about how even when life tried to hold her down, it didn’t stop her. She shares how to keep fighting, all while igniting strength, passion, and joy. “Dear Black Girls” is a meaningful exploration of what it means to be a Black woman in America today—and a rallying cry to lift up women and girls everywhere.

Saturday, February 24, 1:00 p.m.
Gift of Gospel
Florissant Valley Branch
Enjoy the joyful sounds of gospel music with Dr. Janette Kotey of Huntsville, Alabama, the COGIC Eastern Missouri First Jurisdiction combined youth choir, inspirational youth singer Myles Lacey and Robert Johnson. Pastor Shaun Williams will serve as the emcee. Raffle prizes will be awarded.

Upon two weeks’ notice, accommodations will be made for persons with disabilities. Contact St. Louis County Library by phone 314-994-3300, or visit www.slcl.org.