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SF’s Black History Festival

Two months of free events celebrating African-American arts and culture
By - posted 1/5/2020 No Comment

Black History Month is an integral part of our nation’s tradition in which we promote affirmative examples of important historical events, honorable leaders and steps towards collective change.

About the Festival: Beginning on Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday weekend and throughout February, the library champions Black history, culture and heritage with special music, dance, crafts and storytelling events at every branch in the City. More Than a Month features film screenings and literary events for adults, interactive events for teens, hands-on activities for kids and exhibits, plus music and craft classes for the whole family.

In 2020, More Than a Month programming features more than 80 unique film screenings and literary events for adults, interactive events for teens, hands-on activities for kids and exhibits and music and craft classes for the whole family.

“More Than a Month” Black History Festival
January-February 2020
San Francisco Public Library
All events FREE

Download – “More Than a Month” 2020 Program Guide (PDF)

Additionally, visit the African American Center in the Main Library to learn about historical, political and cultural experiences of African Americans in California and beyond. In addition to housing a collection of reference materials spanning a broad range of subject areas, the Center organizes many free exhibits and programs throughout the year.

Program highlights:

Upcoming Events:

  • Sunday, January 5, 2020
    3:30 – 4:30 Book Club: Eureka Valley Branch
    Eureka Valley/Harvey Milk Memorial
  • Thursday, January 9, 2020
    6:30 – 7:30 Celebration: Martin Luther King and “I Have a Dream”
    Richmond/Senator Milton Marks
  • Sunday, January 12, 2020
    1:30 – 3:00 Film: La Haine/Hate
    Western Addition
  • Sunday, January 12, 2020
    2:00 – 3:00 Film: The March
    Anza
  • Sunday, January 12, 2020
    3:30 – 5:00 Film: Gook
    Western Addition
  • Sunday, January 19, 2020
    1:00 – 5:00 Black and Brown Comix Arts Festival
    Main Library, Koret Auditorium
  • Tuesday, January 21, 2020
    4:00 – 6:00 Film: The Sun Is Also A Star
    Bayview/Linda Brooks-Burton
  • Tuesday, January 21, 2020
    7:00 – 8:00 Craft: Paper Quilt Design
    Excelsior
  • Thursday, January 23, 2020
    4:00 – 4:45 Terrific Tales
    Main Library, Children’s General Floor Area – 2nd Fl
  • Thursday, January 23, 2020
    4:00 – 4:45 Storytelling: Terrific Tales
    Main Library, Children’s Storytelling Room – 2nd Floor
  • Saturday, January 25, 2020
    2:00 – 3:00 Presentation: Soul of a Nation Art Talk
    Presidio
  • Saturday, January 25, 2020
    2:00 – 2:45 Dance: Taller Bombalele
    Richmond/Senator Milton Marks
  • Saturday, January 25, 2020
    2:00 – 4:30 Craft: Social Justice Sewing
    Parkside
  • Saturday, January 25, 2020
    3:00 – 4:30 Craft: Kehinde Wiley Self-Portraits
    Western Addition
  • Saturday, January 25, 2020
    3:00 – 4:30 Craft: Afri-Crafty Tales
    Park
  • Sunday, January 26, 2020
    2:00 – 3:00 Film: Black Ballerina
    Park
  • Sunday, January 26, 2020
    3:00 – 4:00 Presentation: Soul of a Nation Art Talk
    Potrero
  • Sunday, January 26, 2020
    3:00 – 4:00 Book Club: On the Same Page
    Main Library, Mary Louise Stong Conference Room – 1st Floor
  • Wednesday, January 29, 2020
    3:00 – 4:00 Craft: Paper Freedom Quilt
    Sunset
  • Wednesday, January 29, 2020
    7:00 – 8:00 Presentation: Soul of a Nation Art Talk
    Ortega
  • Thursday, January 30, 2020
    4:00 – 5:30 Film: I Am Not a Witch
    Ocean View
  • Saturday, February 8, 2020
    12:00 – 12:45 Movement: Body Drum and Rhythm Connection through Hambone
    Golden Gate Valley
  • Saturday, February 8, 2020
    1:00 – 2:00 Music: West African Drumming
    Golden Gate Valley
  • Saturday, February 8, 2020
    2:15 – 3:45 Craft: Afri-Crafty Tales
    Golden Gate Valley
  • Saturday, February 8, 2020
    4:00 – 5:00 Movement: The Body Drum and Rhythm Connection through Hambone
    Mission Bay
  • Wednesday, February 12, 2020
    6:00 – 7:00 Book Club: Contemporary Fiction
    Main Library, Mary Louise Stong Conference Room – 1st Floor
  • Wednesday, February 12, 2020
    6:30 – 7:30 Presentation: Soul of a Nation Art Talk
    Mission Bay
  • Sunday, February 16, 2020
    3:30 – 4:30 Book Club: A Mysterious
    Eureka Valley/Harvey Milk Memorial
  • Saturday, February 22, 2020
    2:00 – 3:00 Music: Asheba
    Sunset
  • Saturday, February 29, 2020
    2:00 – 3:00 Music: West African Drumming
    Bernal Heights