Community Updates: Friday, January 20

Grand Rapids Public Library Announces Lineup of Upcoming Events Celebrating Black History Month

The Grand Rapids Public Library has announced that it will be hosting a lineup of events throughout the month of February in honor of Black History Month. So far, the GRPL has thirteen Black History Month events scheduled for Grand Rapidians of all ages to attend and learn from.

On February 2 and February 3, Dr. Khalid el-Hakim of the Black History 101 Mobile Museum will be at the Main Library for an event called “Black History 101 Exhibits with Dr. el-Hakim.” At this event, Dr. el-Hakim will allow attendees to examine his vast artifact collection and the history behind it. This exhibit consists of more than 7,000 artifacts "representing categories including (but not limited to) slavery, politics, Jim Crow, science, religion, education, music, sports, and civil rights." Overall, this exhibit encompasses roughly 400-500 years of Black history in America. According to the GRPL, this event will be appropriate for both adults and children.

There will also be a number of events geared towards adults and children separately. For example, the Cultural Connections Cooking Class that will take place on February 14 is an adult event that will feature live music and a lesson from Motherland Cooking Xperience on how to prepare a traditional African appetizer. Registration for this event is required.

The Black History Month Storytimes series will take place at various GRPL locations throughout the City. These events were designed for children between the ages of 0 and 5 and will feature art, music, and stories that elevate Black voices. 

The full list of GRPL's scheduled Black History Month events can be viewed below or on the Grand Rapids Public Library's website:     

To see a full list of the Grand Rapids Public Library's scheduled events, click here. 

Also in the News:

• On Wednesday, the City of Grand Rapids made a Facebook post to remind residents that Tuesday, February 14 is the due date for winter property taxes. For more information, visit the City's website here. 

• Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park announced last week that the famous Fred & Dorothy Fichter Butterflies Are Blooming exhibition will be returning to the Lena Meijer Tropical Conservatory on Wednesday, March 1. It will be open through April 30, 2023.

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