Big Week

Feb. 21 - Mar. 3 BIG WEEK

Paul Robeson Presentation

On Feb. 28 from 2 to 3 p.m., join the Forest Park Public Library and host Maui Jones for a presentation about Paul Robeson, Black artist, performer, activist, lawyer and athlete. He lived a fascinating life in America and abroad, becoming a footballs star at Rutgers University, attending law school at Columbia University in the 1920s, becoming a player in the Harlem Renaissance scene, starring in the lm Showboat, and blacklisted during the McCarthy era. More information is available at fppl.org/blackhistory.

Women Composers Competition

Submit by April 1. Chicago a cappella invites applicants to an Emerging Women Composers Competition, which is open to composers of all ages who selfidentify as female. It will provide hands-on training to further skills in choral composition. Women composers whose career is in its early stages and women composers of color are particularly encouraged to apply. For more information and to apply, visit chicagoacappella.org.

Supporting Family Mental Health

On Monday, March 1, from 2:15 to 2:45 p.m., join Smart Love Family Counseling and the Forest Park Public Library for a virtual conversation on family mental health. As part of the library’s Everyday Advocates series, the youth services manager will speak with the counseling service about their Minority Family Program that free services to Black and Latinx families. Learn more at fppl.org/events.

Sarah’s Inn Youth Voice Award

Submit by March 15. High School students can submit their writing, videos and art to express their ideas, experiences, and thoughts around relationship violence, in whatever creative way they are comfortable expressing themselves. Two $2,000 award winners will receive a Youth Voice Award at the Together We Inspire educational breakfast in May. For more information, visit sarahsinntv.org/post/youth-voice-award.

Spotlight on Local Black Kid-lit Authors

The Forest Park Public Library has put together a list of local Black authors who write books for children and young adults. Learn more at fppl.org/2021/02/11/ localblackkidlit/. Authors include Rena Barron, Natasha Tarpley, K. Ancrum, Amanda Joy, Ronni Davis and Reese Eschmann.