Of the People

The Library of Congress announced a new, multiyear initiative to connect more deeply with Black, Hispanic, Indigenous and other minority communities by expanding its collections, using technology to enable storytelling and offering more internship and fellowship opportunities, supported by a $15 million investment from The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation.

The new initiative is part of a larger vision at the Library to connect with all Americans by inviting new generations to participate in creating, preserving and sharing the nation’s cultural treasures and building on the Library’s commitment to collect and preserve more underrepresented perspectives and experiences.

Read the press release: loc.gov/item/prn-21-002/

Subscribe to the Of the People blog for updates: blogs.loc.gov/OfThePeople/

 

Courtesy of Library of Congress

Rosa Parks: In her own words - visit the exhibition online

Visit our current exhibition on Rosa Parks which showcases rarely seen materials that offer an intimate view of Rosa Parks and documents her life and activism—creating a rich opportunity for viewers to discover new dimensions to their understanding of this seminal figure.

loc.gov/exhibitions/rosa-parks-in-her-own-words/about-this-exhibition/

Young Rosa Parks: Ideas for Families to Engage with Her Life Story blogs.loc.gov/families/2021/02/young-rosa-parks/

Expanding Historical Narratives about Rosa Parks Using Primary Sources: Ideas for Teachers blogs.loc.gov/teachers/2020/03/expanding-historical-narratives-about-rosa-parks-using-primary-sources/

Virtual Student Workshop - Rosa Parks: Freedom Fighter (grades 5-8) Through discussion, questioning strategies, storytelling and more, students learn about the many ways civil rights activist Rosa Parks fought to bring about justice and equality for many Americans. The program draws on the personal papers of Rosa Parks and other multimedia items held at the Library. Workshops are led by a Library facilitator and are available by request here: loc.gov/visit/virtual-student-workshops/

 

Courtesy of Library of Congress

Black History Month Events at the Kluge Center

As part of the Library of Congress commemoration of African American History Month, the Kluge Center will be hosting two events that honor the African American scholars and activists who have contributed so much to American democracy.

Feb. 23 at 1 pm, join us for African American Women and the Suffrage Movement, with Martha S. Jones. Jones will discuss her recent book "Vanguard: How Black Women Broke Barriers, Won the Vote, and Insisted on Equality for All"

Event info & free registration: prekindle.com/event/84828-martha-s-jones-on-african-american-women-and-the-suffrage-movement

Read more: blogs.loc.gov/kluge/2021/02/african-american-history-month-at-the-kluge-center/

Courtesy of Library of Congress

Celebrating Black History Month

Library blog posts highlighting African American Stories in honor of Black History Month by Library of Congress. 

africanamericanhistorymonth.gov

Blog posts from around the library:

Celebrating Artists’ Portraits at the Library of Congress for African American History Month blogs.loc.gov/picturethis/2021/02/celebrating-artists-portraits-at-the-library-of-congress-for-african-american-history-month/

The Family Life of Ralph Ellison blogs.loc.gov/catbird/2021/02/the-family-life-of-ralph-ellison/

Honoring African American Contributions in Medicine: Midwives blogs.loc.gov/inside_adams/2020/06/honoring-african-american-contributions-in-medicine-midwives/

Katherine Dunham's Ethnographic Research in the Caribbean blogs.loc.gov/folklife/2021/02/katherine-dunham-in-the-caribbean/

Frederick Douglass Newspapers, 1847-1874: Now Online blogs.loc.gov/headlinesandheroes/2020/01/frederick-douglass-newspapers-1847-1874-now-online/

Sojourner Truth and the Power of Copyright Registration blogs.loc.gov/copyright/2020/12/sojourner-truth-and-the-power-of-copyright-registration/

The Beauty Entrepreneur: Madam C. J. Walker  blogs.loc.gov/inside_adams/2020/03/madam-c-j-walker/

Performing Arts Blog Posts blogs.loc.gov/music/category/african-american-history/

 

The Hazel Scott Papers: blogs.loc.gov/music/2021/02/hazel-scott-now-playing/

 

African American Art Dolls and Puppets for Identity and Healing: blogs.loc.gov/folklife/2021/02/african-american-art-dolls-and-puppets/

Courtesy of Library of Congress