Celebrating Black History Month

Black History Month honors Black history and the many accomplishments of Black individuals. The Town of Pittsford is celebrating Black History Month with a variety of informative and inspiring programs at the Pittsford Community Library. All programs are free and open to the public; in-person programs will be held in the Library’s Fisher Meeting Room. Please note: advance registration is required for the programs offered via Zoom.

The Little Rock Crisis of 1957
Thursday, February 2, 6:30-7:30pm
Join us at the Pittsford Community Library on Thursday, February 2 at 6:30pm for "The Little Rock Crisis of 1957" - a discussion about a pivotal moment in Black history. Brown v. Board of Education called for the desegregation of schools, and in the fall of 1957 the high school in Little Rock, Arkansas began that process by admitting nine Black students. Learn from Monroe Community College professor Mark Sample about this historic event. Held in the Fisher Meeting Room, no registration required.

Twice Forgotten: African Americans and the Korean War
Tuesday, February 7, 7:00-8:00pm
One of the most neglected stories of the Korean War is that of African Americans who served just two years after Harry S. Truman ordered the desegregation of the military. Join us on Tuesday, February 7 at 7:00pm for an online discussion of this important part of Black history - David Cline’s Twice Forgotten draws on oral histories of Black Korean War veterans. The program will be presented via Zoom; it is free and open to the public, but advance registration is required to receive the Zoom link, which will be sent the day of the event. Use the following link to register online via the Library calendar or find the registration calendar under the Events tab at www.townofpittsford.org/library. 

In This Moment 2: Revolution, Reckoning, Reparation
Wednesday, February 8, 7:00-8:00pm
Our Black History Month programming explores recent history and current accomplishments as well. On Wednesday, February 8 at 7:00pm the Pittsford Community Library will host an online discussion with Amanda Chestnut, curator of In This Moment 1 and In This Moment 2, will discuss the launch of the first two chapbooks in In This Moment 2. For this project, 10 teams of Black writers and photographers are paired with 10 Black leaders from Rochester. Amanda is joined by Reenah Golden, Founder, Executive & Artistic Director of the Avenue Blackbox Theatre, and Timothy James Johnson PhD, Minister at Asbury First United Methodist Church and Professor Emeritus at Roberts Wesleyan College. The program is free and open to the public, but advance registration is required to receive the Zoom link, which will be sent the day of the event. Use the following link to register online via the Library calendar or find the registration calendar under the Events tab at www.townofpittsford.org/library. 

Buffalo Soldiers
Saturday, February 11, 2:00-3:00pm
Following the Civil War, legislation passed to reorganize the military. This historic law called for the formation of two African-American regiments, known as the Buffalo Soldiers. Join us at the Pittsford Community Library on Saturday, February 11 at 2:00pm to learn more about their inspiring history, presented by members of the Pennington-Moye VFW Post 9251.

Films at Pittsford Community Library: Till
Tuesday, February 14, 6:30-8:30pm
130 minutes / PG-13 / 2022
This powerful film tells the true story of the murder of Emmett Louis Till and the legacy of his mother Mamie Till-Mobley, who pursued justice for the brutal lynching of her son. Shown at the Pittsford Community Library.

A Legacy Deferred: The Architecture of Thomas W. Boyde Jr.
Monday, February 27, 6:30-7:30pm
Thomas W. Boyde, Jr. was the first black architect in Rochester and the designer of hundreds of houses, offices, stores and community buildings throughout Monroe County.  His work includes the charismatic façade of the Monroe Community Hospital, which he created shortly after arriving in Rochester in 1930. The buildings he designed during the 1930s-70s helped shape their respective communities, yet he would not have been welcome as a resident in many of the surrounding neighborhoods during that time. Join us at the Pittsford Community Library on Monday, February 27 at 6:30pm to learn more about this extraordinarily talented architect.

Throughout February – and beyond – the Pittsford Community Library will have a variety of materials and resources available relevant to Black History Month. Be sure to stop by!  The Pittsford Community Library is located at 24 State Street. To learn more about upcoming Library programs, visit the Library’s online program calendar.
 

Click on image to enlarge