On Thursday, February 5 the Newark Public Library will begin its annual celebration of Black History with an Opening Reception at the Main Library on 5 Washington Street. The festivities will start at 5:30 p.m. in Centennial Hall as guests mingle to the background jazz sounds of the Cobblestone Multimedia Ensemble. From 6:30-8:00 p.m. Dr. Adunni Anderson, President of The Bibliophiles, will moderate a panel discussion, “Examining Black Images in African-American Literature.” Panelists will be Cheryl Willis-Hudson, editorial director of Just Us Books; and Marva Allen, founder of the Hue-Man Bookstore. Dr. Brenda Greene, founder of the Center for Black Literature at Medgar Evers College, CUNY will be a guest speaker.
The illuminating new exhibit, “My Soul Has Grown Deep: An Appreciation of African-American Literature” will be on view on the second floor gallery; the title takes its name from a line in “The Negro Speaks of Rivers,” a poem written by Langston Hughes when he was just seventeen. The exhibit explores African-American authors and writings from the slave narratives to contemporary pieces.
Library Director, Wilma Grey noted, “For many decades the Library has prided itself on its extensive collections of materials focusing on African-American authors and their works. We are excited to offer the new exhibit and calendar of programs featuring this rich body of literature. We thank the PNC Foundation for its generous support of our Black History Celebration allowing us to present the wonderful exhibit and programs to our public.”
Additional events include: Pen, Pitch, Publish, Profit: a Self-Publishing Intensive for Aspiring Authors on Saturday, February 7 from 12:00 – 3:00 p.m. in the Auditorium. Presenters Caryl Lucas and LaTanya Orr will explain how to pitch your book idea and how to get your book published. To register for the workshop, please R.S.V.P. to 973-733-7793.
At Black on Paper, Saturday, February 14, from 2:00 – 5:00 p.m., author and publisher Anasa Maat will host a conversation with poet Walee and playwright Chisa Hutchinson to discuss the process, from concept to finish, of getting their works published for the bookshelf and the stage. Meet the artists. A reading and book signing will follow.
On Thursday, February 19 from 5:30 – 8:00 p.m., the program Uncommon Genres in Black Literature will feature Darrell Goza, author of comics and graphic novels; Valerie Wilson Wesley, mystery and paranormal novelist; and Donna Hill, romance novelist discussing their works and the challenges of finding their voice, their audience, and their literary outlets.
Call Me Crazy: Diary of a Mad Social Worker performed by Actress/Poet/Playwright Helena D. Lewis, Call Me Crazy is a unique look at the highs and lows of working for “peanuts” while trying to save the world one poem at a time. A performance of this production will be presented on Saturday, March 14 from 2:00 – 5:00 p.m. in the Auditorium.
In recognition of National Poetry Month, poets and writers will read from the works of Amiri Baraka and present poems and prose inspired by or dedicated to Baraka on Thursday, April 9 from 5:30 – 8:00 p.m. in the Auditorium.
