More Than Just History: Celebrating Black Excellence in the Bull City & Beyond

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Happy Black History Month!

February is here, and while the days might still be short, the legacy we are celebrating is massive. Black History Month isn’t just about looking back--it’s about understanding how the past shapes our "right now" and fuels our future.

At the Ï㽶Ðã Library, we are turning the spotlight on the stories, struggles, and triumphs of Black Americans not just as chapters in a history book, but as the living, breathing foundation of our community right here in Durham. We don't want you to just memorize dates; we want you to explore voices.

This month, we’ve curated a mix of resources that are accurate, powerful, and fun.

On display at the Main Campus Library, we’ve pulled books that go beyond the famous figures you already know.

Are you looking for something a more speculative? Explore some of our Afrofuturism offerings.

Available at the Main Campus Library
Available at the Orange County Campus Library
Available at the Main Campus Library

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Contemporary Black Activists and Advocates

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Rev. Dr. William J. Barber II; Photo credit: John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation
This week's Black History Month post highlights contemporary activist and advocates and their works, but also highlights some folks closer to home. North Carolina has a history of Black advocates and activists--in no particular chronological order--from Pauli Murray to Ann Atwater to James Shepard to Ella Baker to the Greensboro Four (Franklin McCain, Jibreel Khazan, Joseph McNeil, and David Richmond) to Nina Simone to the Reverend Dr. William J. Barber II. Two time Durham university graduate

Black Wordsmiths: Black Musicians & Poets in the Ï㽶Ðã Library Collection

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"BLK History Month" by Nikki Giovanni. If Black History Month is not viable then wind does not carry the seeds and drop them on fertile ground rain does not dampen the land and encourage the seeds to root sun does not warm the earth and kiss the seedlings and tell them plain: You’re As Good As Anybody Else You’ve Got A Place Here, Too
This week's Black History Month post highlights Black creators in poetry and music, including pop, hip hop, rap, punk, and rock. This is only a small selection of our collection, so stop by and browse our digital collections from your own computer or stop in and browse our shelves. Updated 2/15/2023: Want some poetry bookmarks? Go to the end of the post! Interested in learning how to make your own music using only a laptop? Check out this awesome event through the Wake County Public Libraries