Events & Programs

On 18 December 2009, the United Nations General Assembly proclaimed the year beginning on 1 January 2011 the International Year for People of African Descent. The Year aims to strengthen national actions and regional and international cooperation for the benefit of people of African descent and to encourage the promotion of a greater knowledge of and respect for their diverse heritage and culture.

In celebration of both Black History Month and the International Year for People of African Descent, the Library present Images of the African Diaspora in New York City Community Murals during the months of February and March 2011.

During February two youth programs, Signs and Symbols with Jane Weissman are scheduled on Friday 18 February & Saturday 19 February. Participants will look at examples of traditional mud cloth and identify the contemporary symbols other young artists created in the making of Signs and Symbols: From Mali, West Africa to Brooklyn, NY, then afterwards participants will develop their own symbols, collaborating with exhibition curator Jane Weissman to create their our own pieces of mud cloth using non-traditional materials.

Additional programming at the Library is being planned for Fall 2011. To learn more about the International Year for People of African Descent, visit the UNESCO Culture portal.