February 2021 marks the 26th anniversary of Black History Month in Canada.
Black History Month provides an opportunity to recognize and learn about the significant contributions and achievements made by Black Canadians.
Markham Public Library(MPL) is celebrating Black History with a special artist talk, reading lists and blog posts that honour Black heritage and culture.
MPL has a virtual talk with artist M.Falconer who is a Toronto based self-taught Black Canadian visual artist. Her work is strongly influenced by North American Black pop culture because it’s the form of culture she identifies with the most.
She describes her style as “Black Pop Art” due to her use of a bold and unconventional colour palette. Her mission is to use art to inspire her community and to represent the culture.
Her paintings foster a sense of self-love, empowerment, representation, community and culture. Register Now for the February 10 at 7 PM virtual talk.
Next up is a talk with Sandra Whiting on February 17 at 11 AM.
Black History Month celebration continues with a special storytime from Sandra Whiting. As a charismatic storyteller, she has told her tales on radio and television, spoken at hundreds of schools to thousands of children from all across Ontario to South Africa, in boardrooms, in churches, in libraries, in prisons, at festivals and at many special events.
She shares African & Caribbean folktales and increasingly personal stories of growing up in the Caribbean and her experiences in Canada.
Register here to join the talk with Sandra Whiting on February 17 at 11AM.
Make some time this month to read and check out the MPL’s Black History Month book suggestions: Celebrating Black History Month; Afrofuturism; Black History Month; Let’s Talk about Racism with Teens; Let’s Talk about Racism with Kids; and Let’s Talk about Racism with Adults.
Here are some recommended Black History Month blogs by MPL staff: The Importance of Black History Month; Antiracism Resources; Films to Watch to Celebrate Black History Month.
Visit markhampubliclibrary.ca for more details.
