Black History Month brings a slate of special appearances and programming to the St. Louis County Library (SLCL) next month.
Valerie Jarrett, senior adviser to President Barack Obama, will deliver the keynote address, as well as discuss and sign her new memoir at 7 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 7, at Library Headquarters.
When Valerie Jarrett interviewed a promising young lawyer named Michelle Robinson in July 1991 for a job in Chicago city government, neither knew that it was the first step on a path that would end in the White House. Jarrett soon became Michelle and Barack Obama’s trusted personal adviser and family confidante. In the White House, she was known as the one who “got” him and helped him engage his public life. Jarrett joined the White House team on Jan. 20, 2009 and departed with the first family on Jan. 20, 2017, and she was in the room–in the Oval Office, on Air Force One, and everywhere else–when it all happened. No one has as intimate a view of the Obama years, nor one that reaches back as many decades, as Jarrett shares in her memoir, “Finding My Voice: My Journey to the West Wing and the Path Forward.”
The event with Valerie Jarrett is the 2020 Frankie Freeman Inspirational Lecture, named in honor of the legendary St. Louis civil rights attorney Frankie Freeman. St. Louisan Valeda Keys, whose Valeda’s Hope organization advocates for cancer awareness, will receive the Frankie Freeman Inspirational Award during the program. The program is free and open to the public. Books will be available for purchase at the event from Left Bank Books. Doors open at 6 p.m.
In addition, Black History programming at SLCL will feature dance performances, a jazz concert, book discussions, film screenings, a gospel celebration, a performance by the Black Rep and more. Highlights include:
Rev. Run and Justine Simmons, “Old School Love: And Why It Works”
Saturday, Feb. 1, 7 p.m.
Library Headquarters
RUN DMC’s iconic rapper Joseph “Reverend Run” Simmons and his wife, Justine, share their secrets to lasting love and the guiding principles that have kept them together for more than 20 years. In this homage to classic courtship, Rev and Justine reveal the secrets to their marriage’s longevity and happiness. Tickets start at $30, and can be purchased through Brown Paper Tickets or at Library Headquarters.
The Black Rep presents “Character Building”
Wednesday, Feb. 5, 7 p.m.
Lewis & Clark Branch
This one-man musical is adapted from the talks Booker T. Washington gave students and faculty at Tuskegee University. The performance includes negro spirituals intertwined with hymns of encouragement. All ages.
Author Jerry Mitchell, “Race Against Time: A Reporter Reopens the Unsolved Murder Cases of the Civil Rights Era”
Monday, Feb. 10, 7 p.m.
Library Headquarters
On June 21, 1964, more than 20 Klansmen murdered three civil rights workers—killings that would become known as the “Mississippi Burning” case. It took 41 years before the mastermind was finally convicted. Investigative reporter Jerry Mitchell unearthed secret documents, found long-lost witnesses, and built up evidence strong enough to take on the Klan.
Author Gabriel Bump, “Everywhere You Don’t Belong”
Tuesday, Feb. 11, 7 p.m.
Library Headquarters
In this powerful, edgy, and funny debut novel about making right and wrong choices, Gabriel Bump gives readers an unforgettable and lovable protagonist, Claude McKay Love, a young black man in search of a place where he can fit. But as he discovers, there’s no escaping the people and places that made him.
Set the Night to Music
Friday, Feb. 21, 7 p.m.
Florissant Valley Branch
Set the Night to Music is back with the wonderful melodic sounds from Love Jones the Band for a toe-tapping, finger-snapping good time. A sampling of food from a local St. Louis restaurant will be provided. All ages.
Gift of Gospel
Saturday, Feb. 29, 1 p.m.
Florissant Valley Branch
Featuring emcee Pastor Shaun Williams, gospel music artist Jean Vann and additional performances by Christ Pilgrim Rest Children’s Choir, violinist Andrea Bell Darris and others.
All ages.
For a full schedule of events, visit slcl.org/black-history-celebration
