Check It Out WPL Programs & Events, Special Holiday or Day of Significance, Stephanie L.

Celebrating Black History Month in February and Beyond

The beginning of February marks the start of Black History Month in Canada and the United States. Waterloo Public Library is celebrating Black History Month and recognizing the outstanding contributions made by the Black community in Waterloo Region, in Canada, and beyond.

We encourage you to take this opportunity to learn more about Black History Month and to reflect on and appreciate the achievements and legacy of Black Canadians by visiting the Government of Canada’s Canadian Heritage website.

Join us in celebrating Black History Month through various programs, events, and reading lists.

Programs & Events

This year we’re offering a variety of virtual programs to celebrate Black History Month. There’s something for everyone!

An Evening with Author Francesca Ekwuyasi. Features Francesca's book Butter Honey Pig Bread. Guest Interviewer is Vicky Mochama. Features headshots of both Francesca and Vicky.
VIRTUAL PERFORMANCE. A History of Motown with Krystle Dos Santos. Features an image of Krystle and music notes flowing in a horizontal stream from right to left in the bottom half of the image.
A discussion with Musician, Writer & Activist Antonio Michael Downing. Features a headshot of Antonio and a swipe of teal and a splash of neon green against a white background.
Anansi and Di Snowstorm. Performance with Ujima: Black History Month & Beyond @ UW. features images of a man and woman smiling with snowflakes around them. The background is yellow.

Reading Recommendations

Here are a few children’s and adult book selections to add to your reading list this month and throughout the year.

Children’s Books
Book cover of "The ABCs of Black History by Rio Cortez"
Book cover of "Amazing Black Atlantic Canadians" by Lindsay Ruck
Book cover of "When We Say Black Lives Matter" by Maxine Beneba Clarke
Book cover of "Your Legacy: A Bold Reclaiming of Our Enslaved History" by Schele Williams
Book cover of "Born on the Water: The 1619 Project" by Nikole Hannah-Jones and Renee Watson
Book cover of "Uncomfortable Conversations with a Black Boy" by Emmanuel Acho
Book cover of "Stamped (For Kids) by Jason Reynolds and Ibram X. Kendi
Book cover of "The Year We Learned to Fly" by Jacqueline Woodson
Book cover of "Race Cars" by Jenny Devenny

Adult Books
Book cover of "Africville" by Jeffrey Colvin
Book cover of "How Long 'til Black Future Month?" by N. K. Jemisin
Book cover of "The Secret Lives of Church Ladies" by Deesha Philyaw
Book cover of "The Kindest Lie" by Nancy Johnson
Book cover of "Sing, Unburied, Sing" by Jesmyn Ward
Book cover of "The Great Black North", edited by Kevan Cameron and Valerie Mason-John
Book cover of "The Pretty One" by Keah Brown
Comic book cover of "Laguardia" by Nnedi Okorafor
Book cover of "A Peculiar Indifference" by Elliott Currie
Book cover of "Me and White Supremacy" by Layla Saad
Book cover of "You Are Your Best Ting" by Tarana Burke and Brene Brown
Book cover of "Four Hundred Souls" by Ibram X. Kendi and Keisha N. Blain
Book cover of "This is the Fire" by Don Lemon
Book cover of "Entertaining Race" by Michael Eric Dyson

More Resources

For a full list of reading recommendations and local community events and resources, visit WPL’s Black History Month webpage.