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Black History Month 2025

February is
Black History Month

Join the Miami‑Dade Public Library System in celebrating Black history all month long — and beyond — with recommended book titles, special programs, cooking demonstrations, storytelling events, film screenings and incredible stories.

Special Events
Books and Resources
Art Exhibits
FEATURED EVENTS
Purvis Young Day
Sat, Feb 01, 11:00am - 2:30pm
Culmer/Overtown Branch
Join us in celebrating the life and work of Miami artist Purvis Young with a day of art, community and reflection. Included in the celebration is... more
Join us in celebrating the life and work of Miami artist Purvis Young with a day of art, community and reflection. Included in the celebration is a guided paint class led by a local artist, a cake cutting ceremony and a guided tour of the "Everyday Life" wall mural by Purvis Young. This program honors the belated artist who painted hundreds of paintings across his neighborhood of Overtown. For more information, please contact the branch at 305-579-5322 or darbeaul@mdpls.org. All Ages.
Story Quilts Inspired by Faith Ringgold - Celebrate Black History Month
Sat, Feb 01, 12:30pm - 1:30pm
South Miami Branch
African American artist Faith Ringgold dreamed of freely flying and dancing! She created many colorful story quilts about her memories, her dreams... more
African American artist Faith Ringgold dreamed of freely flying and dancing! She created many colorful story quilts about her memories, her dreams and the civil rights movement. In this class, children will create their own story quilt designs influenced by memorable, positive life moments. Registration is required. For more information, please contact the branch at 305-667-6121 or sandar@mdpls.org. Ages 5 -12 yrs.
Tap, Scat, Swing & Sing with Miss Leslie - Celebrate Black History Month
Sat, Feb 01, 1:00pm - 2:00pm
Doral Branch
Join us for a jazzy storytime! Let's sing, dance and enjoy stories in celebration of Black History Month. For more information, please contact... more
Join us for a jazzy storytime! Let's sing, dance and enjoy stories in celebration of Black History Month. For more information, please contact the branch at 305-716-9598 or blancom@mdpls.org. All ages.
Do the Right Thing (R) - Black History Month in Film
Sat, Feb 01, 2:00pm - 4:00pm
Miami Beach Regional - Auditorium
Join us each week for films that depict the African American experience. In this 1989 Spike Lee film, racial tensions grow in a Brooklyn... more
Join us each week for films that depict the African American experience. In this 1989 Spike Lee film, racial tensions grow in a Brooklyn neighborhood on the hottest day of the summer while everyone tries to cope with the heat. Spike Lee received an Oscar nomination for his screenplay. (120 minutes). For more information, contact (305) 535-4219 or capleyb@mdpls.org. Ages 19 yrs.+
Story Quilts Inspired by Faith Ringgold - Celebrate Black History Month
Sat, Feb 01, 3:00pm - 4:00pm
Miami Springs Branch
African American artist Faith Ringgold dreamed of freely flying and dancing! She created many colorful story quilts about her memories, her dreams... more
African American artist Faith Ringgold dreamed of freely flying and dancing! She created many colorful story quilts about her memories, her dreams and the civil rights movement. In this class, children will create their own story quilt designs influenced by memorable, positive life moments. Registration is required. For more information, please contact the branch at 305-805-3811 or email mayerr@mdpls.org. Ages 5 -12 yrs.
Registration is now closed
Black History Month Celebration
Sat, Feb 01, 3:30pm - 5:00pm
Kendale Lakes Branch
Join the Miami-Dade Public Library System Story Troupe as we celebrate Black History Month with folktales, skits, music and stories, while... more
Join the Miami-Dade Public Library System Story Troupe as we celebrate Black History Month with folktales, skits, music and stories, while highlighting famous African American contributors. For more information, please contact the library at 305-388-0326 or jacobsonf@mdpls.org. All ages.
Kids Craft Club - Celebrate Black History Month
Wed, Feb 05, 11:00am - 12:00pm
Sunset Branch
Create fun and simple crafts in honor of Black History Month. Materials will be provided. For more information, please contact the branch at... more
Create fun and simple crafts in honor of Black History Month. Materials will be provided. For more information, please contact the branch at 305-270-6368 or duartel@mdpls.org. Ages 0 - 11 yrs.
Story Quilts Inspired by Faith Ringgold - Celebrate Black History Month
Wed, Feb 05, 4:00pm - 5:00pm
Naranja Branch
African American artist Faith Ringgold dreamed of freely flying and dancing! She created many colorful story quilts about her memories, her dreams... more
African American artist Faith Ringgold dreamed of freely flying and dancing! She created many colorful story quilts about her memories, her dreams and the civil rights movement. In this class, children will create their own story quilt designs influenced by memorable, positive life moments. For more information, please contact 305-242-2290 or gonzalezmi@mdpls.org. Registration is required. Ages 5 -12 yrs.
Family Storytime - Celebrate Black History Month
Thu, Feb 06, 11:00am - 12:00pm
Sunset Branch
Celebrate Black History Month with stories, songs and activities for the entire family! For more information, please contact the branch at... more
Celebrate Black History Month with stories, songs and activities for the entire family! For more information, please contact the branch at 305-270-6368 or duartel@mdpls.org. Ages 2 - 12 yrs.
Movie Afternoons - Black History Month - Fences (PG-13)
Thu, Feb 06, 2:00pm - 4:00pm
Main Library - First Floor Community Room
Adaptation of the Pulitzer Prize-winning play about a black garbage collector in 1950s Pittsburgh named Troy Maxson. Bitter about his lot in life,... more
Adaptation of the Pulitzer Prize-winning play about a black garbage collector in 1950s Pittsburgh named Troy Maxson. Bitter about his lot in life, Maxson frequently takes out his frustrations on his loved ones. (133 minutes). For more information, please contact the branch at 305-375-2665 or hinzes@mdpls.org. Ages 13 yrs.+
Story Quilts Inspired by Faith Ringgold - Celebrate Black History Month
Thu, Feb 06, 4:00pm - 5:00pm
Miami Lakes Branch - Multipurpose Room
African American artist Faith Ringgold dreamed of freely flying and dancing! She created many colorful story quilts about her memories, her dreams... more
African American artist Faith Ringgold dreamed of freely flying and dancing! She created many colorful story quilts about her memories, her dreams and the civil rights movement. In this class, children will create their own story quilt designs influenced by memorable, positive life moments. Registration is required. For more information, please contact the branch at 305-822-6520 or truglioj@mdpls.org. Ages 5 -12 yrs.
Caribbean Dance Workout
Thu, Feb 06, 5:00pm - 6:00pm
Little River Branch
Celebrate Black and Afro-Caribbean culture by grooving to the beat in our energetic dance workouts! Open to all dance levels. For more... more
Celebrate Black and Afro-Caribbean culture by grooving to the beat in our energetic dance workouts! Open to all dance levels. For more information, please contact 305-751-8689 or millert@mdpls.org. All ages.
See all events

Discover Works by and About Black Artists

From the Library's Permanent Art Collection
Grayscale painting of three seashells

Squash
By Charles Humes Jr.

Experience the bold exhibition titled Squash - consisting of 20 watercolor paintings and an assortment of drawings and mix-media works by painter and muralist Charles Humes Jr.

Humes depicts images of Florida City and Homestead’s agricultural farming fields, featuring migrant workers harvesting several crops, including squash. The paintings highlighted in Squash are studies of Humes’ seemingly landscape view – the endless panoramic crop fields, rows of vast brilliant greens and the golden hues of squash.

On view through April 9, 2025
Westchester Regional Library

Abstract collage artwork

Forbidden Pages… In Flight
By Rosa Naday Garmendia

Forbidden Pages… In Flight is an art and social engagement exhibition launched in early 2023 to support the freedom to read. It utilizes broadsides and letterpress printing to highlight over 2,500 banned or challenged books, featuring various art forms like prints, zines and installations.

Notable works include pieces inspired by titles such as The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison. The exhibit encourages reflection on the power of these texts and serves as a platform for dialogue about free expression and education.

On view through April 3, 2025
Miami Beach Regional Library

Virtual Art Exhibitions
Explore the Collection at Home

Experience the Library's Permanent Art Collection from the comfort of your home with our Virtual Exhibitions. Each exhibit showcases high-resolution scans of artwork by diverse artists, including Purvis Young, Elizabeth Catlett and more.

Black History Month Resources

Reading Lists, Educational Videos, Databases and More 

Online Databases

Learn more about local history, discover your family ancestry and more through our online library.

Who Am I? Video Series

Who Am I? - Oscar Micheaux
Who was Oscar Micheaux? He was a homesteader, an author, the first major African American feature filmmaker and more.

Who Am I? - Zora Neale Hurston
Who was Zora Neale Hurston? She was Barnard College’s first Black graduate, an author of the Harlem renaissance and more.

Who Am I? - Madam C.J. Walker
Who was Madam C.J. Walker? She was an entrepreneur, the first female self-made millionaire and more.

Who Am I? - Bessie Smith
Who was Bessie Smith? She was a roller-skating champion, singer and songwriter, Empress of the Blues and more.