News & Events
The NYBLC Executive Board would like to forgo the June 19th meeting in observance of Juneteenth is a celebration of liberation and family. So instead of hosting our general membership meeting, we encourage our members to reflect on the meaning of this day, its recognition as a federal holiday, spend time with family and friends.
Juneteenth: Commemorating the End of Slavery in the United States
As we celebrate Juneteenth, let us not forget the history of the day. In 1862 the Emancipation Proclamation had officially outlawed slavery in the United States. It was not until 1865 that those enslaved in Texas were made aware of their newfound freedom. The formerly enslaved people of Texas, specifically those in Galveston, commemorated June 19, 1866, as Juneteenth, Emancipation Day, or Jubilee Day. It is celebrated annually throughout the United States and has recently been established as a federal holiday. This Juneteenth is particularly important as 2021 marks the first year Juneteenth will be celebrated as an Official Public Holiday in New York State, as Governor Cuomo signed it into legislation in October of 2020.
Below is a listing of events happening around the state that you may be interested in attending to help you celebrate:
Rochester
Museum of Play
Saturday, June 19 | 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Festivities honoring Black history and culture will kick off with an opening ceremony, including a drum call and performance of “Lift Every Voice and Sing.” Free admission and parking.
https://www.museumofplay.org/calendar/2021/6/19/juneteenth-celebration
ROC Freedom Ride:
Saturday, June 19 | 10a.m.
Grab your bicycle and join ROC Freedom Riders for their annual Juneteenth bike ride and community event.
https://www.rocfreedomriders.com/bike-rides-events-1
Genesee Country Village and Museum
Saturday, June 19 | 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Programming will focus on the everyday lives of Black Americans who were living in western New York in 1865 and trying to reunite with emancipated family members, establish businesses and build relationships.
https://www.gcv.org/events/honoring-juneteenth/
The Town of Irondequoit and the Irondequoit Commission Advancing Racial Equality
Friday, June 18 | 6 p.m.
The free celebration will feature music — including a performance by Womba Africa Drumming — speeches, crafts and food trucks.
https://www.irondequoit.org
Nassau County
Elmont:
Saturday, June 19 | 4:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Elmont's Juneteenth celebration will be a day of peace and love. It will be a day filled with live music, dancing, comedy, entertainment, free services and black-owned vendors and food trucks for you to support--think family reunion vibes! A free event.
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/elmont-juneteenth-celebration-2021-tickets-158140794373
Brooklyn
KowTeff
Saturday, June 19 | 11 a.m.-10 p.m.
Enjoy FREE cultural festivities and entertainment by local and international performing artists, dance classes (children & adults), fitness classes, wellness presentations and consultations, fun activities for kids, a natural hair show, HOUSE RIDDIMS dance celebration with DJ Juwandi, and some of the best vendors in town at the African Marketplace! This is a hybrid (virtual and in-person program).
https://kowteff.org/events
Brooklyn Children Museum
Saturday, June 19 |10 a.m.-1 p.m. & 2 p.m.-5 p.m.
BCM will mark and celebrate this historic date of emancipation alongside education and achievement. In partnership with Friends of Brower Park and the Brooklyn Conservatory of Music, BCM will present live music, a community mural, and art-making activities in Brower Park from 11am-3pm. At BCM, a special ColorLab program will feature Brooklyn-based artist Joanne Petit-Frѐre, who will be demonstrating the braiding technique she uses in her unique artworks and practice and will share inspiration objects selected from BCM’s collection. BCM will offer Pay-As-You-Wish admission during the first play session, 10am to 1pm.
Celebrate Juneteenth! | Washington County Cooperative Library Services | BiblioCommons Booklist
https://wccls.bibliocommons.com/list/share/1297716497/1661208259
Celebrate and learn more about Juneteenth, the holiday celebrating June 19, 1865, when word of emancipation finally reached enslaved Texans. #WCCLS #HillsboroLibrary
Juneteenth at BPLThis is the first year that Juneteenth is being recognized as a City, State and public school holiday, and BPL has programming across the borough with special events at Macon Library on Saturday, June 19.
African Dance & Drumming
Saturday, June 19 / Macon Library / 12 pm
In Conversation with the Black American Library Card Design Winner
Saturday, June 19 / Macon Library / 1 pm
Paint & Sip (Sparkling Cider)
Saturday, June 19 / Macon Library / 2 pm
Brooklyn Resists: Exhibition Opening & Juneteenth Celebration
Saturday, June 19 / Center for Brooklyn History / 3 pm
You can find more statewide events here: https://bit.ly/3wwoQLT. And here are a selection of titles to help celebrate: https://bit.ly/3q3eqkH.
However you choose to celebrate, please share photos of your experiences. We would love to post them on our social media! We also look forward to hearing about how you celebrated at our next general meeting scheduled for August 21 at 11 a.m.
Peace and Blessings!
Shakema S. Miller
Upcoming Meeting(s)
Our next General meeting will be held on:
Saturday August 21st 2021 11:00am to 1:00pm (Virtual)
Saturday October 16th 2021 11:00am to 1:00pm (Virtual)
Summer Newsletter 2020
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Registration Here!
Stay tuned for information about the rest of the series!
Session 1: July 24- Code Switching
Session 2: August 7-Imposter Syndrome
Session 3: August 14-Micro Aggressions
Session 4: August 21-Cultural Competency
Session 5: August 28- How to be an Ally
Session 6: September 4- Skill Sharing
Past Meetings:
Saturday October 17th 2020 11:00am to 1:00pm
Saturday August 15th 2020 11:00am to 1:00pm
Saturday June 27th 2020 11:00am to 1:00pm
Saturday April 25th 2020 11:00am to 1:00pm
Virtual
Saturday September 21st, 2019 11:00am to 1:00pm
New York Public Library
Countee Cullen Branch
104 W 136th St
New York, NY 10027
Saturday July 27th, 2019 11:00am to 1:00pm
Queens Library - Cambria Heights branch
218-13 Linden Blvd
Cambria Heights, NY 11411
Saturday May 18th, 2019 11:00 to 1:00pm
North Hall Library
Bronx Community College
2155 University Avenue, Bronx, NY 10453
Saturday March 16, 2019 11am- 1pm
Brooklyn Public Library
Arlington Branch
203 Arlington Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11207
Saturday, Jan. 26, 2019 11 am - 1 pm
Queens Library - Cambria Heights branch
218-13 Linden Blvd
Cambria Heights, NY 11411
Saturday, December 1, 2018 11AM- 1PM
New York Public Library
Countee Cullen Branch
104 W 136th St
New York, NY 10027
Thank you all who joined us at Food and Fellowship and to Roosevelt Public Library for allowing us to gather in your space and network to the fullest! We look forward to more events that will allow us an open forum to discuss the needs of the community and what each of us has to offer
Join us in collaboration with Roosevelt Public Library for Food and Fellowship!
Friday, July 13 | 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Come and discuss potential workshops for Professional growth & Development Civil Service Law & Rating System Enhancing & Relevant
Professional Skills Let’s make a positive out of Friday the 13th.
Refreshments will be served!
Roosevelt Public Library 27 W. Fulton Ave | Roosevelt, NY 11575 Further information, contact Stacey Smith-Brown -
Head Librarian (516) 378-0222 x | sbrown@rooseveltlibrary.org. rooseveltlibrary.org
The New York Black Librarians’ Caucus had a wonderful time at the Harlem Book Fair, as part of the CSPAN Diversity in Books event. Panelists included Sandra Michele Echols, president of the New York Black Librarians' Caucus; Stacy Whitman, Publisher of Tu Books; children’s book author and illustrator Javaka Steptoe; Syntychia Kendrick-Samuels, secretary of the New York Black Librarians' Caucus; and Vanesse Lloyd-Sgambati, founder of African American Children’s Book Project. Click here to view the discussion.