Elgin library celebrates Black History Month

Submitted by Gail Borden

Discover African Americans who have had an impact on our lives, from science and medicine to politics and art, at the 2012 Black History Family Festival from 2 to 5 p.m.. Saturday, Feb. 4, at the Gail Borden Public Library, 270 N. Grove Ave., Elgin.

The event will feature award-winning author and professor Candy Dawson Boyd, author of several children’s books and a K-12 reading expert. She has lectured nationwide and is a recognized authority on everything from effective reading instruction in urban schools to multicultural literature.

The event also will feature Reginald McLaughlin, better known as Reggio “The Hoofer.” Reggio has traveled all around the world contributing to the preservation of authentic and traditional tap dance. Professional storyteller Linda Gorham will share inspiring and motivational folktales.

Free preschool screenings for children from ages 5 and younger also will take place during the festival. Conducted by Elgin Area School District U-46 teachers, the screenings will take about 30 minutes and provide parents with a summary of their child’s developmental level.

Also, parents will receive information about the skills their child needs to be successful in kindergarten.

Crafts, teen activities, artists and authors will round out the activities. Festival participants will also enjoy sweet-potato pie bites provided by the culinary experts at Elgin Community College at the end of the event.

For more than six years, the Black History Family Festival has successfully worked to bridge cultures by uniting the Elgin area in a celebration of the African-American experience.

For details, call Phyllis Folarin at (847) 975-2988.