continue honoring and celebrating the diverse and special histories and heritages that make up our beloved City and our
The San Francisco Public Library presents
MORE THAN A MONTH Black History, Culture & Heritage
T h e S a n F r a n c i s c o P u b l i c L i b r a ry p re s e n t s
MORE THAN A MONTH Black History, Culture & Heritage
B
lack History Month is an integral part of our nation’s tradition in which we promote affirmative examples of important historical events, honorable leaders and steps towards collective change. This year, we’ve chosen to title our programs that celebrate Black history, culture & heritage More Than a Month in an effort to emphasize that reflection, open dialogue, interdisciplinary education and shared advocacy needs to take place in our communities every month, all year round. Beginning on Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday weekend and throughout February, the Library champions Black history, culture & heritage with special music, dance, crafts and storytelling events at every branch in the City. More Than a Month features film screenings and literary events for adults, interactive events for teens, hands-on activities for kids and exhibits, music and craft classes for the whole family. Visit the African American Center in the Main Library to learn about historical, political and cultural experiences of African Americans in California and beyond. In addition to housing a collection of reference materials spanning a broad range of subject areas, the Center organizes many free exhibits and programs. All year long we invite you to join us every day, in every library location, to continue honoring and celebrating the diverse and special histories and heritages that make up our beloved City and our unique country. Supported by Friends of the San Francisco Public Library. All programs at the Library are free. sfpl.org/more-than-a-month #morethanamonth
Cover art by Ron Moultrie Saunders. Front cover: “DNA,” inside front cover: “Cosmic Dancer.”
Youth & Family Programs
CRAFTS
DANCE
Afri-Crafty: How and Why Origin Tales and Crafts with MoAD
Capoeira Workshop with Jarrel Phillips
• Saturday, Feb. 3, 1–2 p.m., Visitacion Valley • Saturday, Feb. 3, 3:30–4:30 p.m., Parkside • Monday, Feb. 5, 3:30–4:30 p.m., Excelsior • Saturday, Feb. 24, 1–2 p.m., Mission Bay
Capoeria is a historic, African-based martial arts form from Brazil, embracing freedom and pride through movement. Join Jarrel “Chumbinho” Phillips as he performs and leads an energetic Capoeria workshop for the entire family.
Jazz Performance by Six Roses
Rado
Musician Rado with Kids Music SF • Tuesday, Jan. 23, 12–1 p.m., Golden Gate Valley • Tuesday, Jan. 23, 3–4 p.m., Sunset • Thursday, Feb. 8, 12:30–1:30 p.m., Eureka Valley • Thursday, Feb. 8, 3:30–4:30 p.m., Chinatown Jarrel Phillips
African Dance with Moeketsi Gibe • Saturday, Jan. 20, 1–2 p.m., Park
Make a Treasure Box in the Style of Tyree Guyton • Saturday, Feb. 10, 3–5 p.m., Potrero Learn about the artwork of Tyree Guyton and decorate a treasure box to take home and keep. All materials provided, bring your own box to decorate if you like. Limited to 20 people, call to sign up (415) 355-2822. Ages 8 and up.
Experience an interactive dance and musical performance from Moeketsi Gibe, percussionist and musician. Families with children of all ages are invited to this dynamic workshop.
MUSIC Asheba, Musical Storyteller • Saturday, Jan. 27, 1:30–2:30 p.m., Ocean View • Saturday, Feb. 17, 3:30–4:30 p.m., Western Addition
A fun, interactive session of music-making, stimulating young minds, engaging bodies through movement and nurturing a love of music. For children ages 5 & younger with parent/caregiver.
SF Jazz High School All-Stars • Saturday, Feb. 10, 2–3 p.m., Bernal Heights Check out an amazing performance by the SF Jazz High School All-Stars Combo and stick around after the show for a chance to play various instruments. Maybe you’re the next All-Star trumpet player? Celebrate Black history with African crafts, henna tattooing and more. For all ages.
African Drumming with Moeketsi Gibe
• Saturday, Feb. 24, 4–5:30 p.m., Potrero Join the Museum of Craft & Design for an arts and crafts activity in celebration of Black history. Fun for the entire family. Asheba
Six Roses: Michael Cavaseno & David Boyce
PERFORMANCE Hambone, History and Humor with Unique Derique • Saturday, Jan. 13, 10–11 a.m., Marina • Saturday, Jan. 13, 1–2 p.m., North Beach • Thursday, Feb. 22, 4:15–5 p.m., Ocean View • Saturday, Feb. 24, 11–11:30 a.m., Ingleside • Saturday, Feb. 24, 2–3 p.m., Bayview The Bay Area’s beloved Unique Derique teaches the African roots and rhythms of Hambone body percussion and its evolution in America in these lively presentations and performances.
• Saturday, Jan. 20, 11 a.m.–12 p.m., Mission
Come to the library and enjoy the musical story-telling expertise of Bay Area resident Asheba and his blend of Calypso, Reggae, Neo-Folk music and more. For families and children of all ages.
Make Art with the Museum of Craft and Design
2
Six Roses takes us on a musical journey with a performance of jazz renditions representative of Black-African Music that feature songs written by Theolonious Monk, Arsenio Rodriguez and more. Great for the whole family.
• Monday, Jan. 22, 11–11:45 a.m., Glen Park
Join artist KraftyKenyan for African crafts and storytelling, in partnership with the Museum of the African Diaspora (MoAD). Supplies provided. Ages 5 and up.
Art by Tyree Guyton
• Saturday, Jan. 13. 3–3:45 p.m., Anza • Saturday, Feb. 24, 3–3:45 p.m., Presidio
Experience an interactive drumming and musical performance from Moeketsi Gibe, percussionist and musician. For families and children of all ages. Moeketsi Gibe
Unique Derique
Photo: Eric Carmichael
3
Youth & Family Programs For Teens & Tweens
STORYTELLING Kirk Waller: African and African American Stories • Friday, Jan. 19, 3–3:45 p.m., Portola • Saturday, Jan. 20, 2–2:30 p.m., Main Library, Children’s Center An unforgettable storytelling experience with movement, music and magic. Awardwinning storyteller Kirk Waller mixes spoken word withrhythm and music. All ages are welcome.
Talking with Kids About Race: Nurturing Justice • Saturday, Jan. 27, 2–5 p.m., Main Library, Koret Auditorium
Kirk Waller
Meet the Amazing Harriet Tubman and Her Three Lives • Saturday, Feb. 3, 2–2:45 p.m., West Portal Meet Harriet Tubman, as brought to life by storyteller Linda Wright. With call and response interaction, audience members help Harriet with her escapes. For all ages.
Tale Tellin From the African Diaspora • Tuesday, Feb. 6, 3–4 p.m., Richmond Join storyteller Muriel Johnson for interactive folktales from the African diaspora that are rhythmic and animated. For ages 5 and up.
SPECIAL EVENTS
Engage in an afternoon of discussion facilitated by Abundant Beginnings: learn how to create environments for kids that nurture racial justice. Practice concrete and developmentally supportive conversation starters, read-alouds and games. For parents, caregivers and educators of children ages 2–10. Free childcare and translation services available with advanced registration (to register, go to sfpl.org/TalkingwithKidsAboutRace).
Martin Luther King, Jr. & Me: My Dream • Friday, Feb. 2, 4–5 p.m., Merced Branch We’ll read Martin Luther King, Jr’s “I Have a Dream” speech together, then share our dreams.
African Bead Jewelry with Chelsee Robinson • Wednesday, Feb. 21, 3:30–5 p.m., Noe Valley • Friday, Feb. 23, 3:30–4:30 p.m., Ortega Make jewelry incorporating traditional African beads, real stones and genuine tools. All material included. Limited to 20 people.
Awele Makeba, Storyteller for Change • Saturday, Feb. 17, 4–5 p.m., Merced Join award-winning storyteller Awele (ah WAY lay) for stories of youth standing up against injustice and being agents of positive change. Awele Makeba
For Teens: Ages 13-18
CRAFTS African Paper Beads • Feb. 15, 3–4:30 p.m., Mission Branch
An annual celebration of Black history. The SF Jazz High School All-Stars Combo will perform at 2 p.m., followed by an instrument petting zoo. There will be refreshments, henna tattooing and African crafts for all ages.
Learn how to make African paper beads using recycled materials.
• Feb. 1–28, Main Children’s Center Jerry Pinkney is an American illustrator and writer of children’s books. Many of his subjects are from the African American experience.
Photo: Jason Doiy
SPECIAL EVENTS I am Alfonso Jones
• Saturday, Feb. 10, 2–4 p.m., Bernal Heights
On Display: Jerry Pinkney: A Journey Through Illustrations
Chelsee Robinson
STORYTELLING
Bernal Celebrates Black History
Muriel Johnson
Visit the Bayview Branch: the interior courtyard has stone pavers marked with West African Adinkra symbols—visual symbols that represent concepts or aphorisms and convey traditional wisdom, aspects of life or the environment.
CRAFTS
DANCE Hip Hop Dance with Marjorie Ortiz • Tuesday, Feb. 6, 6–7 p.m., Main Library, 2nd Floor Join Bay Area native Marjorie Ortiz in Marjorie Ortiz this workshop where teens will learn the fundamentals of hip hop dance and participate in a culminating freestyle circle.
• Saturday, Jan. 13, 1 p.m., Main Library, Latino/Hispanic Community Room The African American Center of the San Francisco Public Library, the Human Rights Commission and the Black Comix Arts Festival present the illustrator of I am Alfonso Jones, John Jennings. Jennings will lead a live demonstration on creating comics using software.
Black History Scavenger Hunt • Thursday, Feb. 1, 9 a.m.–8 p.m., Main Library, The Mix, 2nd Floor Find clues and answer questions to win a prize during the month of February.
The Lion and the Mouse
4
5
Programs for Adults Black Freedom Struggles in the Jim Crow West by Aliyah Dunn-Salahuddin • Saturday, Feb. 3, 2 p.m., Potrero • Saturday, Feb. 10, 2 p.m., Bayview • Sunday, Feb. 11, 2 p.m., Main Library, Koret Auditorium African-American Studies Department Chair of City College of SF shares her research and insights on the Black freedom struggle in the west. A lecture and Aliyah Dunn-Salahuddin discussion highlights events surrounding and leading up to the 1966 uprising in San Francisco’s Hunters Point.
The African American Center of the San Francisco Public Library and the MLK Day Foundation present:
The Black Comix Arts Festival • Sunday, Jan. 14, 1–5 p.m., Main Library, Koret Auditorium and Latino/Hispanic Community Room We’re pleased to host Hugo and Nebula award winner, Nnedi Okorafor with Victor LaValle and Matt Ruff. Book sale and author signing follows.
RELATED PROGRAMS Exhibition
A Game of Color: The African American Experience in Baseball • Jan. 13–March 18, Main Library, Skylight Gallery, 6th Floor Artifacts, artworks and photographs cover more than a half century of African American professional baseball, from the founding of the first Negro League in 1920 through the integration of major league baseball in 1947.
RELATED PROGRAMS
Black History Pioneers: Stories of African Americans in the Early Days of the Old West
Langston Hughes’ autobiography The Big Sea
• Wednesday, Feb. 21, 7 p.m., Merced
Presented by the Excelsior Book Club
• Sunday, Jan. 28, 1 p.m., Main Library, Koret Auditorium
West African Guitarist, Jesse Sabhi
Film, Only the Ball Was White. Discussion with exhibit curator Terry Cannon and former major league baseball player Nate Oliver.
Ranger Rik Penn conveys the fascinating history of African Americans in San Francisco, California, and in the National Parks. A slide presentation accompanies the talk.
Ethiopian Coffee Ceremony • Saturday, Jan. 27, 11:30 a.m., Visitacion Valley • Saturday, Feb. 10, 12:30 p.m., Ocean View • Saturday, Feb. 24, 2:30 p.m., Western Addition Celebrate Black history and culture with a traditional Ethiopian coffee ceremony.
Freedom Quilt Craft • Wednesday, Feb. 21, 6:30–7:30 p.m., Portola Inspired by the work of the Alabama Freedom Quilting Sewing Cooperative, Portola district artist, Charles Dabo, leads a paper version of a patchwork quilt workshop.
Harriet Tubman: A Forgotten Legacy and a Forgotten History • Tuesday, Feb. 13, 6 p.m., Main Library, Latino/Hispanic Community Room Presented by Dr. Tarik Farrar of City College of San Francisco. 6
• Tuesday, Feb. 27, 7p.m., Excelsior
• Saturday, Jan. 27, 2 p.m., Richmond • Wednesday, Feb. 28, 6:30 p.m., Mission Bay Jesse Sahbi takes you on a musical journey to his homeland on the Ivory Coast. Sit back and enjoy the smooth West African jazz sounds.
World Literature Book Club: Alice Walker’s The Color Purple • Thursday, Feb. 1, 6 p.m., Main Library, Paley Rm., 3rd Floor A discussion of the award-winning novel.
#Charlottesville, The Civil War and Race with Bill Doggett • Wednesday, Jan. 24, 6 p.m., Park • Wednesday, Feb. 7, 7 p.m., Merced • Saturday, Feb. 24, 1 p.m., Sunset Archivist, history scholar and documentary filmmaker, Bill Doggett, examines the legacy of the Civil War with regards to race, Confederate monuments, #BlackLivesMatter and anthem protests and how these issues continue to impact and inform who we are as Americans.
Opening Program
Dock Ellis
Film: A Long Way From Home: The Untold Story of Baseball’s Desegregation • Tuesday, Feb. 27, 6 p.m., Main Library, Koret Auditorium
Film: Called Up: The Emmett Ashford Story
Jackie Robinson broke baseball’s color line in 1947, but it took another generation of Black and Latino players to make the sport truly open to all. Panel discussion follows the film.
• Wednesday, Feb. 7, 6 p.m., Main Library, Koret Auditorium
World Series of Baseball Poetry
Film clips tell the story of Major League Baseball’s first African American umpire who brought flare and style to the game. Discussion with filmmaker Doug Harris follows.
With San Francisco Poet Laureate Kim Shuck, Jack Hirschman and others.
Beyond Branch Rickey: The Hidden Forces Behind the Breaking of Baseball’s Color Barrier • Wednesday, Feb. 21, 6:30 p.m., Main Library, Latino/Hispanic Community Room Robert Elias discusses Jackie Robinson and others who contibuted to the breaking of the color barrier.
• March 1, 6 p.m., Main Library, Latino/Hispanic Community Room
Film: No No: A Dockumentary • March 8, 6 p.m., Main Library, Koret Auditorium Discussion follows. The exhibit and all events are co-sponsored by Friends of the San Francisco Public Library, The Baseball Reliquary, the Dusty Baker Chapter of Society for American Baseball Research and the Lefty O’Doul Chapter of the Society for American Baseball Research.
Visit the African American Center at the Main Library and learn more about the historical, political and cultural experiences of African Americans in California and beyond. The Center partners with community organizations to sponsor exhibits and programs that are free to the public. 7
San Francisco Reads
Films for All Ages The Princess and the Frog
The Help
Moonlight
• Wednesday, Feb. 7, 5:30 p.m., Visitacion Valley • Wednesday, Feb. 28, 3 p.m., Bayview
• Tuesday, Jan. 30, 3:30 p.m., North Beach
• Saturday, Jan. 27, 3 p.m., Western Addition
A white college graduate in the 1960s returns to her home in Mississippi and interviews the African American servants in her neighborhood.
This Disney animation is loosely based on the novel The Frog Princess. (2009), Rated G, 1 hr, 37 min.
Pride • Thursday, Feb. 1, 4 p.m., Excelsior • Thursday, Feb. 15, 4 p.m., Ocean View Jim Ellis (Terrence Howard) faces racism, violence and a hostile city official, as he prepares his novice swim team for the state championships. Based on real events. (2007), Rated PG, 1 hr, 44 min.
Woodlawn • Tuesday, Feb. 6, 3:30 p.m., North Beach A high-school football team in 1970s Birmingham overcomes racism after embracing an outsider’s message of peace. (2015), Rated PG, 2 hr.
Hidden Figures
(2011), Rated PG-13, 2 hr, 26 min.
I Am Not Your Negro • Sunday, Feb. 11, 2 p.m., Western Addition An Oscar-nominated documentary on James Baldwin, narrated by Samuel L. Jackson. (2016), Rated PG-13, 1 hr, 35 min.
• Saturday, Feb. 17, 2 p.m., Chinatown Based on South African President Nelson Mandela’s autobiography. (2013), Rated PG, 2 hr, 27 min. 8
The true story of rapper, actor, poet and activist Tupac Shakur (Demetrius Shipp Jr.), from his early days to his status as one of the world’s most influential voices. (2017), Rated R, 2 hr, 19 min.
• Thursday, Feb. 1, 5:30 p.m., Visitacion Valley
Interracial couple Richard and Mildred Loving challenge an anti-miscegenation arrest for their marriage leading to a legal battle and the U.S. Supreme Court. (2016), Rated PG-13, 2 hr.
• Sunday, Feb. 4, 2:30 p.m., Main Library, Koret Auditorium
Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom
• Sunday, Feb. 25, 2 p.m., Western Addition
Freedom Riders
True story of the female AfricanAmerican mathematicians who served a vital role in NASA during the early years of the U.S. space program. Based on the book Hidden Figures by Margot Lee Shetterly. (2016), Rated PG, 2 hr, 7 min.
Ugandan chess prodigy Phiona Mutesi traces her journey from the slums of Katwe to the upper echelons of the chess world. Meal provided by Potrero Hill Family Support Center. (2016), Rated PG, 2 hr.
All Eyez on Me
• Wednesday, Feb. 14, 6 p.m., Ortega • Wednesday, Feb. 28, 4:30 p.m., Sunset
San Francisco Black Film Festival
• Friday, Feb. 16, 3–5 p.m., Potrero
1 hr, 55 mins.
Loving
• Sunday Feb. 11, 2–4 p.m., Anza
Queen of Katwe
A look at three defining chapters in the life of Chiron, a young Black man growing up in Miami. (2016), Rated R,
The African American Center of the San Francisco Public Library and the San Francisco Black Film Festival present two award winning films from the festival’s 2017 season:
Print Shop by Christian Nolan Jones: A young aspiring fashion designer creates “Rest in Peace” t-shirts to honor slain victims of violence in his community. 30 mins.
In the Hour of Chaos by Bayer Mack: Documentary details the life and trials of the Reverend Martin Luther King, Sr., (“Daddy King”). 105 mins.
January/ February 2018 Selection
An inspirational story of six months in 1961 that changed America forever. (2011), Not Rated, 114 min.
Strange Fruit: The Biography of a Song • Thursday, Feb. 8, 5 p.m., Visitacion Valley Exploration of a Billie Holiday song and the forces that gave rise to the civil rights movement. 2004 ALA Notable Video Award. (2002), Not Rated, 57 min.
Soundtrack for a Revolution • Thursday, Feb. 15, 6 p.m., Visitacion Valley The American civil rights movement through its music and protesters.
Who Fears Death by Nnedi Okorafor Author Event: Nnedi Okorafor in conversation with Victor LaValle and Matt Ruff.
• Jan. 14, 2 p.m., Main Library, Koret Auditorium sfpl.org/onthesamepage
(2009), Not Rated, 82 min.
The Girls in the Band • Tuesday, Feb. 20, 6 p.m., Richmond Stories of female jazz and big band instrumentalists from the 1930s to the present. (2011), Not Rated, 1 hr, 21 min.
Alice’s Ordinary People • Thursday, Feb. 22, 6 p.m., Visitacion Valley An ordinary Chicago woman affecting extraordinary change for human rights. (2012), Not Rated, 56 min.
THANK YOU Thank you to our partners: MLK Day Foundation, San Francisco Human Rights Commission, Lee and Low Books, Museum of the African Diaspora (MoAD), Museum of Craft & Design, Our Family Coalition, Showing up for Racial Justice (SURJ), San Francisco Unified School District, San Francisco Families Union, Abundant Beginnings, The Baseball Reliquary and the Lefty O’Doul Chapter of the Society for American Baseball Research. A special thanks to cover artist Ron Moultrie Saunders, ronmsaunders.com. 9
LIBRARY LOCATIONS ANZA (415) 355-5717 550 37th Ave. (near Anza) BAYVIEW/LINDA BROOKS-BURTON (415) 355-5757 5075 Third St. (at Revere) BERNAL HEIGHTS (415) 355-2810 500 Cortland Ave. (at Moultrie) CHINATOWN/HIM MARK LAI (415) 355-2888 1135 Powell St. (near Jackson) EUREKA VALLEY/HARVEY MILK MEMORIAL (415) 355-5616 1 José Sarria Court (16th Street near Market) EXCELSIOR (415) 355-2868 4400 Mission St. (at Cotter) GLEN PARK (415) 355-2858 2825 Diamond St. (near Bosworth) GOLDEN GATE VALLEY (415) 355-5666 1801 Green St. (at Octavia) INGLESIDE (415) 355-2898 1298 Ocean Ave. (at Plymouth) MAIN LIBRARY (415) 557-4400 100 Larkin St. (at Grove) MARINA (415) 355-2823 1890 Chestnut St. (near Webster) MERCED (415) 355-2825 155 Winston Dr. (at 19th Ave.) MISSION (415) 355-2800 300 Bartlett St. (at 24th St.) MISSION BAY (415) 355-2838 960 Fourth St. (at Berry)
NOE VALLEY/SALLY BRUNN (415) 355-5707 451 Jersey St. (near Castro) NORTH BEACH (415) 355-5626 850 Columbus Ave. (at Lombard) OCEAN VIEW (415) 355-5615 345 Randolph St. (at Ramsell) ORTEGA (415) 355-5700 3223 Ortega St. (at 39th Ave.) PARK (415) 355-5656 1833 Page St. (at Cole) PARKSIDE (415) 355-5770 1200 Taraval St. (at 22nd Ave.) PORTOLA (415) 355-5660 380 Bacon St. (at Goettingen) POTRERO (415) 355-2822 1616 20th St. (near Connecticut) PRESIDIO (415) 355-2880 3150 Sacramento St. (near Baker) RICHMOND/SEN. MILTON MARKS (415) 355-5600 351 9th Ave. (near Clement) SUNSET (415) 355-2808 1305 18th Ave. (at Irving) VISITACION VALLEY (415) 355-2848 201 Leland Ave. (at Rutland) WEST PORTAL (415) 355-2886 190 Lenox Way (at Ulloa) WESTERN ADDITION (415) 355-5727 1550 Scott St. (at Geary) MOBILE OUTREACH SERVICES (415) 557-4346
- Visit our newest branch library: SFMOMA Public Knowledge, 150 3rd Street, San Francisco -
