Celebrating Black History Month with Gail Borden Public Library

Posted January 17, 2021 10:00 pm

Submitted by Gail Borden Public Library

As part of the Black History Month celebration, Gail Borden Public Library in Elgin invites the community to a virtual, multimedia exhibit that honors some of the most influential Black Americans and their contributions to humanity. Courtesy of Gail Borden

Experience the stories of Martin Luther King Jr., Harriet Tubman, Ida B. Wells, Barack Obama, and many more notable leaders brought to life with historical video and audio clips and other media.

Gail Borden Public Library's virtual, multimedia exhibit honoring influential Black Americans opens with the Vice President-Elect Kamala Harris, the first woman, first African American and first Asian Vice President and highest ranking female official in U.S. history. Courtesy of Gail Borden Public Library

Sharing the spotlight will be notable individuals who called Chicago "home" including Harold Washington, Oprah Winfrey and Muddy Waters.

Local Black leaders who have made significant contributions to our community will be featured in the exhibit. They include: Tiffany Henderson, Gail Borden Public Library Board trustee; Tish Powell, Elgin City Council member; Corey Dixon, Elgin City Council member; Dr. David Sam, President of Elgin Community College; Eva Porter, Elgin Area School District U-46 Board member; and Dr. Risé D. Jones, executive director of Hamilton Wings.

The virtual exhibit also showcases the history of Blacks in Elgin with "Project 2-3-1," an exhibit created by Elgin historian Ernie Broadnax and the Elgin History Museum, on loan from the museum.

The "Project 2-3-1" documentary is part of the virtual exhibit and available to view. It features Ernie Broadnax touring the three blocks of Elgin known as "The Settlement," where the former slaves lived, and discussing the accomplishments of their descendants.

Take a virtual tour with local historian Ernie Broadnax of the three blocks of Elgin known as "The Settlement" where the former slaves lived and learn about the accomplishments of their descendants at the "Project 2-3-1" exhibit. Courtesy of Gail Borden

Explore the lives of these notable individuals now at gailborden.info/blackhistory.

Celebrate Black History Month with Gail Borden Library's virtual programs.

Community read:

Michelle Alexander's groundbreaking 2010 book "The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness" describes mass incarceration through the lens of systemic racism. Join fellow community members in "The New Jim Crow: Community Read on Racism"at 2 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 24, for a lively discussion hosted by Elgin Mayor Dave Kaptain and facilitated by former ECC sociology instructor Joyce Fountain. With special guests Kane County Sheriff Ron Hain and Benedictine University professor Dr. Vincent Gaddis. Register for the program at gailborden.info/register.

'Black Voices, Black Joy':

Families will celebrate Black history, culture and heritage by sharing stories together in many ways from 6 to 6:30 p.m. Wednesdays, Feb. 3, 10, 17 and 24. No registration is needed to participate - just go to Facebook Live: gbpl.info/FBLV.

Author interview:

Join a presentation by children's author Charles Waters in "Raising Black Voices: Author Interview with Charles Waters" at 2 p.m. Monday, Feb. 15. His book, "Can I Touch Your Hair?: Poems of Race, Mistakes, and Friendship," has won many awards. Please register at gailborden.info/register.

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