Black History programs, resources
PREVIOUS EXHIBITS
The Museum Of UnCut Funk brought the Funky Turns 50: Black Character Revolution Firsts poster exhibit to Central Library’s Local History & Genealogy Division in 2024.
Central Library celebrated the National Museum of African American History and Culture with an Online Smithsonian Poster Exhibition (February 2021)
GUIDE TO BLACK HISTORY COLLECTIONS
In February 2023, the Rochester Regional Library Council (RRLC) published this online guide, which showcases black history collections (link opens new window) held by libraries, archives, museums, and historical societies throughout the City of Rochester and Monroe County. The online resource is being continually updated.
Funding for this project came from a Vitality Grant for Preserving Historical Assets received by the Friends & Foundation of the Rochester Public Library from the Rochester Area Community Foundation.
UNDERSTANDING BLACK EXPERIENCES
- In 2020, when challenging events gripped the nation and ushered in a new era of reckoning, a diverse team of Library and FFRPL staff collaborated to curate a collection of print and digital materials for the community. Understanding Black Experiences (link opens new window) includes a list of select titles in books, e-books, films, television, and streaming services; a short-list of notable black artists in visual/performing arts; as well as community resources and historical connections.
LIBRARY RESOURCES RELATED TO DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR.
SELECT RESOURCES FROM CENTRAL LIBRARY’S REYNOLDS MEDIA CENTER
DIGITAL COLLECTIONS
ARCHIVED BLACK HISTORY PROGRAMS (HIGHLIGHTS)
- Books Sandwiched In review of Hip Hop is History written by Questlove (April 15, 2025)
- Books Sandwiched In review of James, written by Percival Everett (March 18, 2025)
- Books Sandwiched In review of Soil: The Story of a Black Mother’s Garden written by Ruth Whippman (October 1, 2024)
- Book Talk at Central Library with author Sidney Morrison, Frederick Douglass: A Novel (September 28, 2024)
- Books Sandwiched In review of Thicker Than Water: A Memoir written by Kerry Washington (April 16, 2024)
- Book Talk at Central Library with author Victor Luckerson, Built From the Fire: The Epic Story of Tulsa’s Greenwood District, America’s Black Wall Street (April 6, 2024)
- Uncovering African American Stories and Genealogy: Visiting the International African American Museum and Exploring Connections, part of the VISIONS OF AMERICA: All Stories, All People, All Places series, produced collaboratively with the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). (February 2024)
- Exploring Identity, Love, and Being Black in America in Fiction Writing: A Conversation with Award-Winning Author Jason Mott (February 2024)
- RPL’s Online Author Talks are sponsored by FFRPL.
- Tuesday Topics highlighted Central’s Archive of Black History and Culture Project (February 2023)
- Tuesday Topics, “Repairing the Historical Record through Community Collaboration” highlighted Central’s Archive of Black History and Culture (February 2022)
- Books Sandwiched In review of Under the Skin: The Hidden Toll of Racism on American Lives and on the Health of Our Nation written by Linda Villarosa (Fall 2022)
