EASTON. Pa. - Easton Area Public Library is celebrating Black History Month with two family-friendly celebrations.
The free events, take place 4:30 to 5 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 22, at the main library and 5 to 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 23, at the Palmer branch. They will feature arts and crafts, a story hour, a sing-along and spoken poetry.
- The Easton Area Public Library is hosting two celebrations during Black History Month
- The events will feature arts and crafts, a sing-along and spoken word poetry
- The celebrations take place on Wednesday, Feb. 22, at the main library on Church Street and Thursday, Feb. 23, at the Palmer branch
Mahogany Reynolds-Clarke, founder of Just Be You Performing Arts in Bethlehem, will start the events with some "inspiration" and "motivational" poetry written by some of her favorite Black writers.
READ MORE: Black History Month
She'll then ask participants to join her in a sing-along of "Lift Every Voice and Sing," known as the Black national anthem (the song was written in 1900 and played a prominent role in the civil rights movement).
"I'm asking parents to teach their kids the lyrics to the song and to practice beforehand," Reynolds-Clarke said.
As part of the festivities, Reynolds-Clarke also asked students from ArtsQuest’s Poetry Out Loud competition to join her onstage.
"We want everyone who has historically not had a voice, have a voice at the library, so they understand they are loved and valued and included as much as the people who have been represented in publishing and programming."
Amber Tortorelli, youth services coordinator for the Easton Area Public Library
Showcasing diversity
The Black History Month event is part of the library's yearlong efforts to highlight the diverse communities within the Lehigh Valley.
The branches also plan to host events for Asian-American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month in May and Hispanic Heritage Month in September and October.
"We live in such a vibrant, vital and diverse community that I think it is equally important for our families who have had struggles with racism, segregation and prejudice — as well as for those who have not — so they can develop and grow their empathy, and start to understand their community a little bit deeper," said Amber Tortorelli, youth services coordinator for the Easton Area Public Library.
"We want everyone who has historically not had a voice, have a voice at the library, so they understand they are loved and valued and included as much as the people who have been represented in publishing and programming."
To register for the events, call 610-258-2917 or email ambert@eastonpl.org.
Just Be You will also host a Black History Month Jamboree on Saturday, Feb. 25, featuring live music, dancing and arts and crafts at St. Paul's Third Lutheran Church in Palmer Township. For information or to register, email jbyacademykids@gmail.com