Library Event Celebrates Black History Month

In celebration of Black History Month, 13 people, including eight children, gathered at the  Wednesday night. The group listened to Let’s Talk About Youth Enrichment Program speaker Brenda Pryor, who sang and read books related to black history as part of the program "Black History's Great Contributions to the World!"

“Black history is American history,” said Pryor, assistant director of the program.

To start of the evening, she explained the spiritual, or musical artform. It originated in America, much like jazz music did. Before the presentation began, Pryor called the spiritual a "national treasure."

“The spiritual also served as a communication device,” she said and pointed out it could get people–particularly those forced to work in slavery–through rough times.

By asking children in the audience about the Underground Railroad, Pryor engaged her audience. This allowed the children to share knowledge they've learned and link it to her presentation.

“It gives the kids an opportunity to learn more about what they are studying in school,” said Mariann Jones, who accompanied her two children and husband.

While reading “A Band of Angels” by Deborah Hopkinson, Pryor used a rich singing voice to demonstrate the types of spirituals used in the past. After another story, “A Wolf and Little Daughter” by Virginia Hamilton, the children gathered around a table to draw names of iconic black Americans, including Martin Luther King, Jr.

The children continued to demonstrate their knowledge by offering many comments about the names they were drawing. Pryor concluded the program by thanking the parents and giving the students a literal round of applause by clapping in a circle.