2024 Cultural Events Calendar

LOUISVILLE

Includes business card billboard

KENTUCKY CENTER

FOR

AFRICAN AMERICAN HERITAGE

In DEDICATION to

September 29, 1931 - November 17, 2022 Walter William Hutchins, Jr. was born on September 29, 1931, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where he attended elementary, junior high, and senior high schools. Since high school, he developed two interests that would stay with him his entire life — photography and athletics.

Walter graduated from Pennsylvania State University with a B.S. degree in Industrial Psychology. At Penn State, he was one of the founding members of the Delta Theta chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. Walter held various positions in advertising and marketing firms throughout his career.

However, Walter’s true calling and passion was personal and community development. Even while working full time, Walter’s entrepreneurial and giving spirit led him to found the groundbreaking “Black House” community center in North Philadelphia in 1967 “to serve the real needs of Black Philadelphia.”

After relocating to Louisville in 1990, Walter was most known to Louisvillians as the publisher of the African American History Month Cultural Events Calendar, a fixture in the community that he published for 27 years, from 1992 to 2020. Walter referred to himself as a “History Promoter” and was especially dedicated to providing continuity for Louisville’s African American history and culture. He enjoyed conducting African American history bus tours and creating picture postcards documenting historic sites hidden in plain sight. Walter was also proud to serve on the Board of the Kentucky Center for African American Heritage and was a founding member of the Western Branch Library Support Association (WBLSA). WBLSA created the Keeper of the Flame Award in honor of Walter W. Hutchins, who created, produced, and distributed the first twenty-seven years of this celebrated Annual African American History Month Cultural Events Calendar for the local Louisville community. WBLSA will present the award annually, recognizing an individual with an outstanding community service career and significant contributions to African American culture and the overall broader Louisville community.

ME T RO LOUISVILLE

EVENTS • EXHIBITS • ATTRACTIONS 28th Year of Publication COPIES OF THIS BOOKLET ARE AVAILABLE AT . . .

REPUBLIC BANK (every branch) Louisville Free Public Library (every branch) Kentucky Center for African American Heritage 1701 W. Muhammad Ali Blvd.

Louisville Urban League 1535 W. Broadway THIS BOOKLET IS NOW ONLINE Go to https://issuu.com/kcaah/docs/2024_aahm

or scan the QR code to the left 1

IN RECOGNITION

Dr. Carter G. Woodson 1875-1950 Preeminent Historian, Scholar, Author, Teacher, and Mentor • Founder of The Association for the Study of Negro Life and History (1915) • Publisher of The Journal of Negro History (1916) and Negro History Bulletin (1937) • “Father” of Negro History Week (1926) “ . . . to dramatize the achievements of persons of African blood” Photo Courtesy of Aukram Burton • Sculpture located at Carter G. Woodson Park 9th and Rhode Island Avenue, NW, Washington, DC. Cover Graphic Logo Art - ImarGraphics Cover & Booklet Design - Terri Gilmore, Artist

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Saturday, January 27, 2024 7:30 PM WALNUT STREET REVUE: Jamming at Club Morocco In the 1930s, 40s & 50s, Walnut Street (now Muhammad Ali Blvd.) was the hub of business, professional & social life for Louisville’s Black Community. It became famous for its clubs and entertainment venues featuring African American performers.

THE WALNUT STREET REVUE pays tribute to African American entertainment in Louisville’s Walnut Street area during those glorious years when Walnut Street was in vogue. This year, we salute “Club Morocco,” where artists such as Eartha Kitt, Sam Cooke, and Johnny ‘Guitar’ Watson performed. Join us to experience a live stage show celebrating the entertainment legacy of Black Louisville.

Location: Kentucky Center for African American Heritage, 1701 West Muhammad Ali Blvd. Contact: Ken Clay, Legacies Unlimited, (502) 468-6005. Admission: $45 -general admission; $65 Reserved seating.

Thursday, February 1, 2024 10:00 AM Black History Month: “Who Am I?” Interactive Display February 1 - 29 (During library hours) Louisville Black History month-long display featuring local and notable Black Americans who have made a significant impact on our community. Northeast Regional Library. 15 Bellevoir Circle.

Free admission. Call (502) 394-0379.

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King: A Life By Jonathan Eig Vividly written and exhaustively researched, Jonathan Eig’s King: A Life is the first major biography in decades of the civil rights icon Martin Luther King Jr.—and the first to include recently declassified FBI files. In this revelatory new portrait of the preacher and activist who shook the world, the bestselling biographer gives us an intimate view of the courageous and often emotionally troubled human being who demanded peaceful protest for his movement but was rarely at peace with himself. He casts fresh light on the King family’s origins as well as MLK’s complex relationships with his wife, father, and fellow activists. King reveals a minister wrestling with his own human frailties and dark moods, a citizen hunted by his own government, and a man determined to fight for justice even if it proved to be a fight to the death. As he follows MLK from the classroom to the pulpit to the streets of Birmingham, Selma, and Memphis, Eig dramatically re-creates the journey of a man who recast American race relations and became our only modern-day founding father—as well as the nation’s most mourned martyr.

In this landmark biography, Eig gives us an MLK for our times: a deep thinker, a brilliant strategist, and a committed radical who led one of history’s greatest movements, and whose demands for racial and economic justice remain as urgent today as they were in his lifetime.

Thank you to our sponsors: Dace Brown Stubbs, Marshall Farrer, Dace Polk Brown, Laura Lee Brown, Garvin Deters, Polk Deters, Laura Lee Gastis, Garvin Brown IV, and Campbell Brown.

Jonathan Eig is a former senior writer for The Wall Street Journal. He is the New York Times bestselling author of several books, including Ali: A Life, Luckiest Man: The Life and Death of Lou Gehrig, and Opening Day: The Story of Jackie Robinson’s First Season. Ken Burns calls him “a master storyteller,” and Eig’s books have been listed among the best of the year by The Washington Post, Chicago Tribune, Sports Illustrated, and Slate.

Tuesday, February 27, Reception, 5:00–5:55 pm; Lecture, 6:00–7:00 pm | Hybrid The Filson Historical Society, 1310 S. 3 rd St., Louisville Free for members, $18 for non-members

Pretend the Ball Is Named Jim Crow: The Story of Josh Gibson By Dorian Hairston Joshua “Josh” Gibson (1911–1947) is a baseball legend— one of the greatest power hitters in the Negro Leagues, and in all of baseball history. At the height of his career, this trailblazing athlete suffered grueling physical ailments, lost his young wife who died giving birth to their twins, and endured years of Jim Crow–era segregation and discrimination—all the while breaking records on the ball field.

Dorian Hairston’s debut poetry collection explores the Black American experience through the lens of Gibson’s life and seventeen-year baseball career, which culminated in his posthumous election to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1972.

Hairston brilliantly reconstructs the personas of Gibson and others in his orbit whose encounters with white supremacy interweave with the inevitability of losing loved ones. By alternating between the perspectives of Gibson, members of his family, and contemporary Black baseball players, Hairston captures the complexity and the pain of living under the oppressive weight of grief and racial discrimination. Emotive, prescient, and absorbing, these powerful poems address social change, culture, family, race, death, and oppression—while honoring and giving voice to Gibson and a voiceless generation of African Americans.

This event is sponsored by the University Press of Kentucky.

Dorian Hairston is a poet, scholar, and former University of Kentucky baseball player from Lexington, Kentucky. He is a member of the Affrilachian Poets and his work has appeared in Shale, Anthology of Appalachian Writers, and pluck!

Make Plans to Visit the Filson Historical Society Visit the Filson in-person to learn more about Black history collections, family research, and to see how your family’s history is an important part of the Ohio Valley story. View work by Black artists including Helen LaFrance, G. C. Coxe, Ed Hamilton, Marvin Finn, Red Biddix, and more. Library hours M-F 9-4:30.

Free building tours weekdays at 2:00.

Registration required for programs, please visit filsonhistorical.org or call (502) 635-5083.

FilsonHistorical.org

Tuesday, January 30, 2024, 6:00–7:00 pm | Hybrid The Kentucky Center – Bomhard Theater, 501 W. Main Street, Louisville Free for Filson members, $26.33 for non-members The Gertrude Polk Brown Lecture Series

Events (February 1st continued)

11:00 am 2024 Kentucky Black Legislative Caucus 16th Annual Black History Month Celebration This year’s program theme will be Celebrating the Civil Rights Movement. During the 1950s and ’60s, profound legal and social changes occurred in Kentucky and across America due to the civil rights movement. The program will highlight the progress made and the work that still needs to be done and will inspire the audience about how people whose shoulders we stand on sacrificed to make a difference in Kentucky and the nation.

Location: Kentucky State Capitol, Capitol Rotunda, 700 Capital Ave, Frankfort, KY 40601. Contact: Senator Gerald Neal, gerald.neal@lrc.ky.gov 1:00 PM (Adult) Classic Movie Matinee: The Color Purple (1985) Directed by Steven Spielberg, and based on the Pulitzer-Prizeand National-Book-Award winning novel by Alice Walker.

Jeffersontown Library. 10635 Watterson Trail. Call (502) 267-5713.

6:00 PM (Adult) Stephen Bishop, African American Cave Explorer Join us for a discussion with a National Park Ranger about the life of Stephen Bishop, an enslaved guide and explorer of Mammoth Cave.

Bon Air Library. 2816 Del Rio Place. Call (502) 574-1795.

6:30 PM Book Discussion (Adult) Kindred by Octavia Butler Snacks, refreshments, and a reader’s guide provided. Limited copies available, call (502) 574-1730 to reserve your copy.

Shively Library. 3920 Dixie Hwy. Free admission. Call (502) 574-1730.

Because plans may change, patrons are urged to confirm events prior to attending.

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Saturday, February 3, 2024 1:30 PM Black History Month Movie Night: Toni Morrison: The Pieces I Am (Adult) Join us for a showing of the 2019 documentary of Nobel and Pulitzer Winner Toni Morrison. Western Library. 604 S. 10th St. Free. Call (502) 574-1779.

2:00 PM Must Love Books Romance Book Discussion (Adult) Real Men Knit by Kwana Jackson. Didn’t get a chance to read the book? Join anyway and discuss your favorite romance novels.

Middletown Library. 200 North Juneau Dr. Call (502) 245-7332.

2:00 PM Black History Bingo Test your knowledge and luck for a chance to win prizes.

Newburg Library. 4800 Exeter Ave. Call (502) 479-6160.

2:00 PM Black Superhero Showcase It’s baaa-aack! In honor of Black History Month, we will spotlight graphic novels, artwork, and activities featuring the media’s most popular and not-so-popular black superheroes! Come dressed as your favorite superhero! All ages.

Shawnee Library. 3912 W. Broadway. Call (502) 574-1722.

2:00 PM Underground Railroad in Kentucky (Family) Kentucky Humanities Council’s Stephen Brown offers a multimedia presentation on Underground Railroad in Kentucky and the influences of slavery on the early years of Lincoln.

South Central Regional Library. 7300 Jefferson Blvd. Call (502) 964-3515.

Because plans may change, patrons are urged to confirm events prior to attending.

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5:00 PM 36th Annual African American Catholic Leadership Awards Dinner A banquet recognizing African American Catholic Leadership within the Archdiocese of Louisville (adults & youth). Funds raised for this event are given in the form of scholarships to assist African American Catholic youth in continuing their education.

Location: Hyatt Regency Louisville, 320 West Jefferson Street, Louisville, KY 40202. Contact: Lauren Collins, (502) 471-2146, or go to: http://www.archlou.org/omm. Admission: $125.

Sunday, February 4, 2024 1:30 PM Black History Month Film Series (Adult) Every Sunday, February 4 - 25 In collaboration with the UofL Health Sciences Center Office of Diversity and Inclusion, the Library will offer a film series and panel discussions with faculty, representatives of community organizations, and members of the public. Films TBD. Main Library. 301 York St. Call (502) 574-1611.

Monday, February 5, 2024 8:00 PM African American Music Heritage Institute The University of Louisville School of Music will sponsor the twenty-ninth annual African American Music Heritage Institute (AAMHI) on February 4-5, 2024 on the Belknap campus of the University of Louisville. This celebration of the history of the music of African Americans will feature concerts, clinics, lectures, and workshops for Kentuckiana elementary and secondary school students, University of Louisville students, and the general public. This year’s theme is Big Band Jazz: America’s Mid-Century Theme Song. The program celebrates the efforts 7

Events (February 5th continued) of African American composers and performers. The guest artist for this year’s event is the Legendary Count Basie Orchestra under the direction of Scotty Barnhart and featuring guest vocalist Janis Siegel, a longtime member of the famous vocal jazz group Manhattan Transfer. The signature Institute event will be a performance by the Legendary Count Basie Orchestra, under the direction of Scotty Barnhart. In addition, the concert will feature new arrangements by former staff arranger Dennis Wilson, who now serves as the educational director for the band and as Associate Professor of Jazz and Contemporary Improvisation at the University of Michigan.

Location: U of L Comstock Concert Hall at the U of L School of Music. 105 W Brandeis Ave, Louisville, KY. Admission: $35 Adults, $20 Students, $10 U of L Students, Under 12 free.

Contact: Jerry Tolson, (502) 852-6907, or go to http://www.louisville.edu/music

Tuesday, February 6, 2024 6:00 PM Racial Capitalism & Real Estate: Why We Need a Tenants Movement Josh Poe with the Louisville Tenants Union will analyze the root causes of the housing crisis and present clear organizing methodologies to build power and create policies that lead us toward a world where housing is a human right. Call (502) 574-1611 for information or to register. Main Library. 301 York St. 6:00 PM Adult Book Discussion All That She Carried: The Journey of Ashley’s Sack, A Black Family Keepsake by Tiya Miles. Western Library. 604 S. 10th St. Free Admission. Call (502) 574-1779.

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Wednesday, February 7, 2024 4:00 PM Teen Hang Time: Black History Edition Watch the movie, Harriet, and put up a Black History Month display honoring individuals who have had an impact in the areas of science, sports and the arts. Rated: PG-13, 125 minutes.

Northeast Regional Library. 15 Bellevoir Circle. Free admission.

Call (502) 394-0379.

4:30 PM Black History Teen Film Series (Teen)

Soul Film highlights Black excellence in film and animation. Films range from PG to PG-13. Refreshments provided. Ages 12-19.

Main Library. 301 York St. Call (502) 574-1611.

6:30 PM Evening Book Group (Adult) The Known World by Edward P. Jones. Winner of the 2004 Pulitzer Prize. Highlands/Shelby Park Library. 1250 Bardstown Rd. Call (502) 574-1672.

Thursday, February 8, 2024 2:00 PM Afternoon Book Discussion (Adult) The Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead. St. Matthews Library. 3940 Grandview Ave. Call (502) 574-1771.

Because plans may change, patrons are urged to confirm events prior to attending.

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Events (February 8th continued)

3:00 PM Simmons College Dance Performance (Family) Enjoy a performance by the Satin Rhythm Dance Team, an auxiliary unit of the Simmons College of Kentucky Revolutionary Sound of the South Marching Band. All ages.

Southwest Regional Library. 9725 Dixie Hwy. Call (502) 933-0029.

6:00 PM How Well Do You Know Black History? (Adult) Join us for a fun-filled evening of Black history trivia.

Southwest Regional Library. 9725 Dixie Hwy. Call (502) 933-0029.

7:00 PM Night Owls Book Discussion (Adult) The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett. Limited copies of books will be available at the branch.

Middletown Library. 200 North Juneau Dr. Call (502) 245-7332.

Friday, February 9, 2024 7:30 PM Opening night of Last Night at Mikell’s a play by Larry Muhammad After two heart attacks and a hospitalization for hepatitis, author James Baldwin meets up with friends Miles Davis and Maya Angelou for some much-needed TLC at the iconic New York nightclub Mikell’s. They improvise a celebration, in the style of an Irish wake for the not-yet-deceased, recalling the outrageous misadventures in an otherwise storied career. Directed by Clyde T. Harper. Presented by The Bunbury Theatre. The play will run on FEBRUARY 9-11, 15-18 & 22-25, 7:30 Friday-Saturday and 2:00 Sunday. Location: The Henry Clay Theater, 604 South Third Street, Louisville, KY. Admission: $22.00, General Admission, $20.00 Senior Admisson, $12.00 Students. Contact: Janine Linder, (502) 585-5306 or go to bunburytheatre.org 10

Saturday, February 10, 2024 10:30 AM Saturday Morning Book Discussion (Adult) If Beale Street Could Talk by James Baldwin.

Crescent Hill Library. 2762 Frankfort Ave. Call (502) 574-1793.

2:00 PM The Past is Present: Slavery and Medicine in Louisville, Kentucky Dr. John Chenault, Associate Professor and the Director of Anti-racism Initiatives for the University of Louisville and The Louisville Coalition on the History of Enslavement will present a panel discussion on the links between slavery and medicine.

Dr. Chenault and the representatives from the four historic sites of enslavement will present evidence on the illnesses that impacted enslaved people, how they were treated and how enslaved people cared for themselves and others. Through the historical evidence, these sites have been able to get glimpses into the lived realities of the people enslaved in Louisville. They will share that evidence and how we use that information to support the work of creating an understanding of our shared history. They will also explore the medical legacy of enslavement and how it impacts the present.

Location: Kentucky Center for African American Heritage, 1701 West Muhammad Ali Blvd.

Contact: Teresa Lee, (502) 935-6809, or go to: locustgrove.org/learn/enslavedcommunity/louisvillecoalition/ (Free Admission) Note: This discussion will cover topics that may be distressing. While it will be presented with the utmost care and respect, the content addresses sensitive topics that can impact some listeners.

Because plans may change, patrons are urged to confirm events prior to attending.

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Events (February 10th continued) 6:00 PM Honoring Our Ancestors & Living Legends This is an annual event designed to honor the accomplishments, recognize the spirit, and uplift the images of descendants of American slaves. Location: King Solomon MB Church, 1620 Anderson Street, Louisville, Kentucky 40210 Contact: James W. Elliott, Sr. (Descendants of American Slaves Ministerial Alliance), (502) 526-9848. (Free Admission)

Tuesday, February 13, 2024 4:00 PM Teen Trivia Night: African-American Achievement Trivia game focusing on Black achievement in the arts, sports, sciences, and more. Join a team, be the first to buzz in, and you might go home a winner! Ages 12-19.

Main Library. 301 York St. Call (502) 574-1611.

Wednesday, February 14, 2024 3:30 PM Mini Masterpieces: Jean-Michael Basquiat & Neo Expressionism (Family) Create your own Basquiat inspired masterpiece. You’ll have the option to display your artwork in our children’s area all month long, or take it home to enjoy! Ideal for K-6th Grade, though children of all ages and their families are welcome.

Highlands/Shelby Park Library. 1250 Bardstown Rd. Call (502) 574-1672.

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For more information, go to: films.nationalgeographic.com/the-space-race Register for screening and post-screening discussion go to: kcaah.org/

4:30 PM Black History Teen Film Series (Teen) The Hate U Give Film highlights Black excellence in film and animation. Films range from PG to PG-13. Refreshments provided. Ages 12-19.

Main Library. 301 York St. Call (502) 574-1611.

5:30 PM Family Storytime: Celebrate Black Women in STEAM (Children) Join us for stories about Bessie Coleman and Alma Thomas followed by crafts and activities. Ages 3-7.

Jeffersontown Library. 10635 Watterson Trail.

Call (502) 267-5713.

Because plans may change, patrons are urged to confirm events prior to attending.

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Thursday, February 15, 2024 6:00 PM Celebrating Black History with a “Live Wax Museum” Staging a “Live Wax Museum”, youth will present research projects that they put together to highlight historical African American figures and their contributions to society.

Location: Catholic Enrichment Center. 3416 West Broadway, Louisville, KY 40211. Contact: Quantanna Sanders, (502) 776-0262, or go to: http://www.archlou.org/omm (Free Admission) 6:30 PM Family Art Night (Children) Enjoy an evening of art with your family; we’ll be learning about and creating art inspired by an African-American artist. All ages.

Iroquois Library. 601 West Woodlawn Avenue. Call (502) 574-1720.

7:00 PM Book Discussion Group (Adult) Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi Bon Air Library. 2816 Del Rio Place. Call (502) 574-1795.

Saturday, February 17, 2024 9:30 AM Archdiocese of Louisville Office of Multicultural Ministry (OMM) presents: Introduction to Africentric Catholic History This workshop gives an overview of the presence, influence, and contributions of African people and the African diaspora in the Catholic Church. Some of the African American pillars of the U.S. Catholic Church will be highlighted. There will be opportunities to discuss the hopes and challenges experienced by African American Catholics to answer the call “to enrich the Roman Catholic Church with their gifts of ‘Blackness’.” The workshop fee includes continental breakfast, lunch, and workshop materials.

You must register by Tuesday, February 13, 2024 to attend. This 14

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Events (February 17th continued)

workshop is part of a series of workshops in the Daniel Rudd Africentric Formation Institute (DRAFI). Contact the Office of Multicultural Ministry for topics, dates, and times of other workshops.

Location: Catholic Enrichment Center — 3416 West Broadway, Louisville, KY 40211. Contact: Janice Mulligan, (502) 471-2134, or go to: http://www.archlou.org/omm. Admission: $25.00.

1:30 PM African-American Pathfinders (Adult) Monthly discussion on little-known historical, innovative, and/ or cultural contributions made by African-Americans. February’s topic is food innovators.

Western Library. 604 S. 10th St. (Free Admission) Call (502) 574-1779.

2:00 PM Beautifully Spoken (Family) Create your own visual masterpiece using memorable words spoken by a notable Black history maker! All ages.

Shawnee Library. 3912 W. Broadway. Call (502) 574-1722.

2:00 PM Dramatic Chautauqua Performance Chautauqua dramatic performance by Elizabeth Lawson of Maryland-born Charlotte Dupuy, a slave of Henry Clay both in Lexington & during his years in Washington D.C. and who bravely sued for her own freedom & that of her children.

South Central Regional Library. 7300 Jefferson Blvd.

(502) 964-3515.

2:30 PM 2024 African American Read-In On February 17th, The Youth In Action Network of Louisville and Team Aarianna will host its Annual African American Read-In. Join us for a day of celebration, reading and fellowship for children Because plans may change, patrons are urged to confirm events prior to attending.

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Listen to Soulful Sounds of Derbytown hosted by Marjorie Marshall, President of the Kentucky Music Heritage Foundation. Tune in every Sunday from 5-6 pm on WLLV 1240 AM & 101.9 FM Radio, Louisville, Kentucky, or livestream the program by Downloading the WLLV App

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Kentucky Center for African American Heritage

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Events (February 17th continued)

ages 6 through 18 years. We will discover African American historians, change makers, and African American authors as part of Black History Month. There will be FREE BOOKS, tributes to students, visitors, and goodies provided. Be part of the New Joyful PraiZe Radio Show, which will be broadcasting LIVE. Meet the members of the Youth In Action Network of Louisville, Team Aarianna, and become a member at no cost. See you at the Library.

Newburg Library. 4800 Exeter Ave., Louisville, KY 40218.

Contact: Jo Ann Orr, (502) 767-2260, or orrja@yahoo.com (Free admission) 3:00 PM Teen Poetry Workshop Whether you’re just wanting to grow as a writer or you’re prepping for the annual Cotter Cup poetry competition, students are invited to come out to learn about different types of poetry and Joseph Seamon Cotter, Sr. and his works of poetry. You can try your hand at one at the end! Ages 12-18.

Western Library. 604 S. 10th St. (Free admission) Call (502)574-1779.

Sunday, February 18, 2024 6:00 PM YMCA Black Achievers 45th Awards Celebration As we celebrate the 45th anniversary of the YMCA Black Achievers Program, the mission remains the same: to help young African-Americans believe in their innate abilities, encourage high academic achievement, develop good character and perseverance, and foster self-determination. The event will highlight the senior participants with awards and scholarships as well as celebrating local adults chosen by their company for their community service. Location: Galt House Hotel Grand 21

Events (February 18th continued) Ballroom,140 N Fourth St, Louisville, KY 40202.

Contact: DeVonne Sorel, (502) 587-7405, or go to: ymcalouisville.org/programs/youth-teens/black-achievers.

Admission: $100 per person.

Monday, February 19, 2024 7:00 PM Researching ProQuest & Black Newspaper Collection (Adult) Learn how to access more than two dozen historic Black newspapers from cities across the United States, including the Louisville Defender.

Main Library. 301 York St. Call (502) 574-6449.

7:00 PM Book Discussion Group (Adult) The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison. Books are available to check out at the branch.

Northeast Regional Library. 15 Bellevoir Circle. Free admission.

Call (502) 394-0379.

2:00 PM Randy Gray: Visual Storytelling (Children) Join local artist Randy Gray for a lesson on how to create a comic book. You will be given a plot prompt, then a panel to fill in with your own drawings and creations.

South Central Regional Library. 7300 Jefferson Blvd. Limit 25.

To register, call (502) 964-3515. Grades 3-6.

Because plans may change, patrons are urged to confirm events prior to attending.

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STOP BY THE HERITAGE CENTER A PLACE TO HAVE A HERITAGE EXPERIENCE Since 2011, the Kentucky Center for African American Heritage has been a member of the Kentucky Tourism, Arts, and Heritage Cabinet.

As a quasi-state agency, the Heritage Center is dedicated to a statewide mission to preserve, promote, and advance the culture and heritage of African Americans in Kentucky and the legacy shared throughout the African Diaspora.

For over a decade, the Heritage Center’s operation has been located in the heart of Louisville’s historic Russell neighborhood on the former Louisville Street Railway Complex known as the “Trolley Barn,” built in 1876. The imposing 68,000 sq. ft. campus provides multiple venues where education, enrichment, and entertainment happens.

Permanent exhibitions in the BrownForman Great Hall and other galleries across the Heritage Center campus include “A Salute to Muhammad Ali: A Life of Inspiration,” “Black freedom Struggle in Kentucky,” “Brigadier General Charles Young: Soldier, Educator, Diplomat & Civil Rights Advocate,” “The Legends of Great African American Jockeys,” “Two Centuries of Black Louisville” and “A Self-Guided Tour of Louisville’s Civil Rights History.” In addition to rotating and permanent exhibitions throughout the year, the Heritage Center produces, curates, and hosts educational, enrichment, and entertainment programs with performances of all types for children and adults alike.

1701 West Muhammad Ali Boulevard 502-583-4100 • kcaah.org/

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Tuesday, February 20, 2024 10:00 AM Early Birds Book Discussion (Adult) The Sweetness of Water by Nathan Harris. Limited copies of books will be available at the branch.

Middletown Library. 200 North Juneau Dr. Call (502) 245-7332.

10:00 AM Toddlers / 11:00 AM Preschoolers Coretta Scott King Storytime (Children) Join us for a special storytime dedicated to children’s books that won the Coretta Scott King awards for Literature and Illustration.

We will sing and dance and create crafts based on books.

Northeast Regional Library. 15 Bellevoir Circle. Free admission.

Call (502) 394-0379.

2:00 PM Movie Discussion Group (Adult) Malcom X, a biographical drama film about the African-American activist Malcolm X. Directed and co-written by Spike Lee, the film stars Denzel Washington in the title role, as well as Angela Bassett, Albert Hall, Al Freeman Jr., and Delroy Lindo.

St. Matthews Library. 3940 Grandview Ave. Call (502) 574-1771.

2:00 PM School’s Out Movie Matinee (Children) Celebrate Disney’s first Black princess, Tiana, by watching The Princess and the Frog. We’ll enjoy some snacks and make a craft!

Rated G. Southwest Regional Library. 9725 Dixie Hwy. Call (502) 933-0029.

Because plans may change, patrons are urged to confirm events prior to attending.

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5:30 PM Book Discussion (Adult) The Fifth Season by N.K. Jemisin Fairdale Library. 10620 W. Manslick Road. Call (502) 375-2051.

6:30 PM Night Owls Book Discussion (Adult) Passing by Nella Larson St. Matthews Library. 3940 Grandview Ave. Call (502) 574-1771.

Wednesday, February 21, 2024 10:30 AM Book Discussion (Adult) Concrete Rose by Angie Thomas. Check out the books at the library.

Jeffersontown Library. 10635 Watterson Trail. Call (502) 267-5713.

4:30 PM Black History Teen Film Series (Teen) Hidden Figures Film highlights Black excellence in film and animation. Films range from PG to PG-13. Refreshments provided. Ages 12-19.

Main Library. 301 York St. Call (502) 574-1611.

3:00 PM Embroidery with “Sunshine” Joe Previous COLLIDER Artist-in-Residence “Sunshine” Joe Mallard shares his unique cultural enrichment program. His magical charm will inspire workshop participants as they learn basic embroidery with a hands-on project. Email Liz.Magee@lfpl.org to register. All ages.

South Central Regional Library. 7300 Jefferson Blvd.

(502) 964-3515.

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Thursday, February 22, 2024 3:00 PM A Celebration of Black Artists (Children) Let’s learn about Black artists together with books, videos, activities and more. Ages 6-12.

St. Matthews Library. 3940 Grandview Ave. Call (502) 574-1771.

5:00 PM U of L Jazz Fest 2024 5:00 PM Conversation with author, poet, critic A,B. Spellman (Former director of National Endowment for the Arts) 7:00 PM Concert Recreation of Miles Davis, “Birth of the Cool” nonet recording featuring U of L Jazz, Brass, and Woodwind Faculty.

Location: U of L Comstock Concert Hall, 105 W Brandeis Ave, Louisville, KY. Contact: Jerry Tolson or David Clark, (502) 852-6907, or go to: louisville.edu/music/jazz (Free admission) 6:00 PM (Doors open 5:30 PM) March on Frankfort: The 60th Anniversary Join the Frazier History Museum, Louisville Metro Government Office of Equity, and the Courier-Journal as we present March on Frankfort: The 60th Anniversary. We’ll talk with organizers of the event, people who marched, and discuss the impact it made.

We’ll also talk about where we are today with civil rights and race relations, the threats to continued progress and how we all play a role in making things better. In addition to some panelists, we are inviting anyone who took part to join us to help tell the story of March 5, 1964 when Dr. Martin Luther King and thousands of marchers descended on Frankfort. Bring any mementos to share.

Some of our special guests include: Rev. Louis Newby, Raoul Cunningham, John Johnson, Senator Gerald Neal, State Rep. Keturah Herron, Mattie Jones, Chaka Cummings, and Charlene Holloway. There will be special music as well.

Location: Frazier History Museum, 829 W.Main St, Louisville, KY. 26

Contact: Rachel Platt, rplatt@fraziermuseum.org, or go to Fraziermuseum.org (Free Admission)

Friday, February 23, 2024 7:00 PM Opening Night of the Play, Gem of the Ocean Join us for our 3rd show of the AATP’s 30th season! You won’t want to miss Shona Tucker directing August Wilson’s Gem of the Ocean! The play is set in 1904 at 1839 Wylie Avenue in Pittsburgh’s Hill District. Aunt Ester, the drama’s 285-year-old fiery matriarch, welcomes into her home Solly Two Kings, who was born into slavery and scouted for the Union Army, and Citizen Barlow, a young man from Alabama searching for a new life and in search of redemption. Aunt Ester is not too old to practice healing; she guides Barlow on a soaring, lyrical journey of spiritual awakening to the City of Bones.

Location: University of Louisville Department of Theatre Arts, Belknap Playhouse, 1911 South 3rd Street Louisville, KY 40208.

Contact the Box Office: (502) 852-6814 or sbcarp03@louisville.edu.

Ticket prices range from $10 (for UofL students) to $20 for the general public. Purchase Tickets On-line at: onthestage.tickets/university-of-louisville Additional Play performances: 2/24, 2/29, 3/1, 3/2 & 3/3 at 7:00 PM. 8:00 PM U of L Jazz Fest 2024 Trumpeter Scott Wendholt with Jazz faculty and Jazz Ensemble I Location: U of L Comstock Concert Hall, 105 W Brandeis Ave, Louisville, KY. Admission: $20. Contact: Jerry Tolson or David Clark, (502) 852-6907, or go to louisville.edu/music/jazz

Because plans may change, patrons are urged to confirm events prior to attending.

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For Application go to KCAAH.ORG

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Saturday, February 24, 2024 11:00 AM Movie Matinee: The Princess & the Frog (Children) Celebrate Black History Month with Disney’s first Black Princess, Tiana. Film rated G, 95 minutes. Refreshments provided.

Families welcome.

Middletown Library. 200 North Juneau Dr. Call (502) 245-7332.

11:00 AM Oge Mora Collage Art (Children) Make your own unique art masterpiece using the collage technique that Oge Mora’s picture book illustrations are famous for. Supplies provided. Western Library. 604 S. 10th St. Free Admissison. Call (502) 574-1779.

2:00 PM Black History Month Book Discussion (Adult) Between The World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates.

Highlands/Shelby Park Library. 1250 Bardstown Rd. Call (502) 574-1672.

2:00 PM Brittany J. Thurman: Jump & Fly Storytime (Children) Jump and soar with Brittany J. Thurman as she reads her picture book, Fly. They will create a short retelling of the story, learn the fundamentals of double Dutch and jumping rope, then engage in an informative Q&A. Participants will think about their own desires, goals, and how they can make those dreams a reality. All ages.

South Central Regional Library. 7300 Jefferson Blvd. (502) 964-3515.

8:00 PM U of L Jazz Fest 2024 Vocalist Jazzmiea Horn with Jazz faculty and Jazz Ensemble I Location: U of L Comstock Concert Hall, 105 W Brandeis Ave, Louisville, KY. Admission: $20.

Contact: Jerry Tolson or David Clark, (502) 852-6907, or go to louisville.edu/music/jazz 29

Events (February 24th continued)

Monday, February 26, 2024

6:30 PM Book Talk And Discussion, Topic: Dr. Carter G. Woodson’s The Mis-Education Of The Negro The Association For The Study Of African American Life And History (ASALH) and The KY Alliance Against Racist And Political Repression will be hosting a book talk and discussion of Dr. Carter G. Woodson’s The Mis-Education Of The Negro.

Location: Carl Braden Memorial Center, 3208 West Broadway, Louisville, KY 40211.

Contact (502) 778-8130. kyall1974@gmail.com (Free Admission)

Tuesday, February 27, 2024 6:00 PM Underground Railroad in Kentucky (Adult) Discuss the significant stops in Kentucky with special attention given to the Ohio River and how it that impacted the freedom trail. Western Library. 604 S. 10th St. Call (502) 574-1779. Free Admission

Wednesday, February 28, 2024 1:30 PM Afternoon Book Discussion The Watsons Go to Birmingham, 1963, by Christopher Paul Curtis.

Crescent Hill Library. 2762 Frankfort Ave. Call (502) 574-1793.

4:30 PM Black History Teen Film Series (Teen) Spider-Man: Across the Spider-verse, Film highlights Black excellence in film and animation. Films range from PG to PG-13.

Refreshments provided. Ages 12-19.

Main Library. 301 York St. Call (502) 574-1611.

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Listen to podcast at: kcaah.org/the-voice-of-the-griot-podcast/

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Celebrating Black History Month Stream these programs and more at KET.org/Black-History-Month.

Shuttlesworth KET Thursday, Feb. 1 • 4/3 pm

All times are subject to change.

Wham Re-Bop-Boom-Bam: The Swing Jazz of Eddie Durham KET Monday, Feb. 5 • 4/3 pm City of Ali KET Tuesday, Feb. 6 • 9/8 pm Freedom House Ambulance: The First Responders KET Tuesday, Feb. 6 • 10:30/9:30 pm KET Monday, Feb. 19 • 5/4 pm The Alice and Wade Houston Story KET Thursday, Feb. 8 • 4/3 pm KET2 Thursday, Feb. 22 • 10/9 pm Gospel Live! Presented by Henry Louis Gates Jr. KET Friday, Feb. 9, 12 & 13 • 9/8 pm A Symphony Celebration: The Blind Boys of Alabama with Dr. Henry Panion III KET Friday, Feb. 9 • 10/9 pm American Masters: How It Feels to Be Free KET Monday, Feb. 12 • 4/3 pm Pullman and the Railroad Rebellion: American Stories KET Tuesday, Feb. 20 • 4/3 pm KET2 Thursday, Feb. 22 • 9/8 pm The Legacy of Black Horseman KET Monday, Feb. 26 • 9/8 pm KET2 Thursday, Feb. 29 • 10/9 pm The Dream Whisperer KET Tuesday, Feb. 27 • 10/9 pm Becoming bell hooks KET Tuesday, Feb. 27 • 9/8 pm KET2 Thursday, Feb. 29 • 9/8 pm The Kentucky Center for African American Heritage is a proud supporter of KET.

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Saturday, March 2, 2024 7:00 pm Book Launch: Soulful Sounds of Derbytown You are invited to the book launch and performance celebrating the new book Soulful Sounds of Derbytown: A Tribute to Louisville’s African American Musicians & Entertainers by Ken Clay, Michael L. Jones, Wilma Westfield Clayborn, Keith Clements, Gary Falk, and Ron Lewis. The book is the product of a multi-year collaboration between six writers with an intimate knowledge of Louisville music. The book uses historical essays, biographical sketches of major figures, and hundreds of photographs to document the development of Black music in the River City from the city’s founding to today.

Location: Kentucky Center for Performing Arts, 501 West Main Street, Louisville, Kentucky 40202. Contact: Ken Clay, Legacies Unlimited, (502) 468-6005. Admission: $45

Tuesday, March 12, 2024 5:30 PM Keeper of the Flame Award Ceremony Sponsored By the Western Branch Library Support Association The recipient, Elmer Lucille Allen, a West Louisville cultural icon, will receive the Keeper of the Flame Award for her outstanding community service, remarkable career as a chemist and 35

(March 12th continued)

ceramic artist, as well as her significant contributions to African American culture and the overall broader Louisville community.

The award sponsored by the Western Branch Library Support Association (WBLSA) was created in honor of Walter W. Hutchins who created, produced, and distributed the first twentyseven years of this very celebrated Annual African American History Month Cultural Events Calendar for the local Louisville community. Information will also be shared with the audience about the impressive and rich African American history of the Western Branch Library, the origins of the WBLSA and all the wonderful resources and services a library card offers.

Location: Kentucky Center for African American Heritage, 1701 West Muhammad Ali Blvd.

Contact: Kim Burse wblsa604@gmail.com (Free Admission)

Friday, April 12, 2024 5:00 pm Opening Reception: Celebrating the Black Experience Art Exhibition Celebrating the Black Experience Art Exhibition seeks to celebrate the legacy of black artists’ rich contributions and achievements and the impact Black art has made in transforming our struggle against oppression and racism. The artwork in this exhibition reflects the diverse environments and traditions that contribute to the fabric of the Black experience. Imagery that expresses rejoicing, sorrow, love, creativity, and truth-telling is represented within the Black aesthetic, contributing to a counter-narrative that provides alternate perspectives that are missing or underrepresented.

Location: Kentucky Center for African American Heritage, 1701 West Muhammad Ali Blvd., Louisville, Kentucky 40203.

Contact: Julia Youngblood, julia@youngbloodharmonizingarts.com 36

FOSTERING COMMUNITY ArtsReach collaborates with emerging performing artists and organizations creating spaces, opportunities, and platforms to share their vision and voice.

ArtsReach nurtures and develops diverse artists and audiences, engages youth, and fosters community through the arts and through professional development.

ArtsReach is supported by

with additional funding provided by private donors.

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Saturday, July 13, 2024 2:00 - 6:00 PM Alberta O. Jones Park Day The Parks Alliance of Louisville invites you to the 2nd annual Alberta O. Jones Park Day on Saturday, July 13 from 2-6pm! Join us for a day that is full of excitement and engagement in the community, featuring many community organizations and local small businesses. We will have food trucks, tabling partners, and entertainment for all ages to enjoy! This family-friendly celebration is a testament to the vibrant future of Alberta O. Jones Park. We encourage everyone to bring their friends, family, and neighbors for a day filled with community, entertainment, and plenty of amenities to enjoy within the new park! Phase One of Alberta O. Jones Park officially opened in November 2023 and is the Parks Alliance’s largest project yet. The park is named after pioneering attorney and civil rights champion Alberta Odell Jones whose first law office was located just blocks from the park site. We hope you’re as excited as we are to join in the festivities and make this year’s celebration even more memorable!

Location: Alberta O. Jones Park (744 S. 23rd St., Louisville, KY 40204). Contact: Morgan Reining (502) 552-6413, or go to https://www.parksalliancelou.org (Free Admission)

Because plans may change, patrons are urged to confirm events prior to attending.

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Explore the life and legacy of Kentucky-born author bell hooks, who wrote nearly 40 books and whose work at the intersection of race, class and gender serves as a lasting contribution to the feminist movement. Learn how bell’s childhood in Hopkinsville and her connection to Kentucky’s “hillbilly culture” informed her views and her belief that feminism is for everybody.

Premieres Tuesday, Feb. 27 • 9/8 pm Celebrate the accomplishments of Black Kentuckians this month

Tune In & Stream at KET.org These programs are funded in part by the KET Endowment for Kentucky Productions.

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A note of thanks to our “friends”who had the faith and supported this venture twenty - eight years ago.

Lillian D. Anthony Frank A. Clay, Jr. Betty F. Cooper Lyman T. Johnson Khuthazele Monyiga Kmt Rev. T. W. Murray Marie E. Porter

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hear the untold stories.

Learn More at UnfilteredTruthCollection.com