The Chesterfield County Black History Month Committee and Chesterfield County Public Library will present a series of free programs this February as part of the county’s annual Black History Month commemorations. To learn more about the programs, visit library.chesterfield.gov.

Registration is suggested for all programs, and may be done online at library.chesterfield.gov, or at any library branch.

If you have any upcoming Black History Month events, submit them online at www.villagenewsonline.com/tips

Friday, Feb. 1
7 P.m. - 9 p.m.
Musical Performance with Ordinary People Band
Enjoy the soulful groove of Ordinary People.
Registration is suggested, but not required. Refreshments will be available to purchase.
Fulghum Center, 4003 Cogbill Rd., North Chesterfield

Saturday, Feb. 2
11 a.m. - noon
The March to Freedom
Christy Coleman, president of the American Civil War Center, will share how slaves during the Civil War began the path to freedom.
Central Library
11 a.m. - noon
The United States Colored Troops in the Civil War
Hear Emmanuel Dabney from Petersburg National Battlefield present stories of these brave men, some of whom fought in the area. Recommended for children aged 10 and up and their families.  
LaPrade Library

Tuesday, Feb. 5
10:30 a.m. – noon
Whoop and Holler (Morning Coffee Break program)
Learn the history of the banjo in this illustrated lecture.
Bon Air Library
Also at:
Wednesday, Feb. 13, 10:30 a.m.–noon, Midlothian Library
Tuesday, Feb. 19, 10:30 a.m.–noon, Chester Library

Saturday, Feb. 9
10:30 A.M. -11:30 a.m.
Teen Studio: Feel the Beat
Become immersed in West African drumming in this djembe workshop presented by the Elegba Folklore Society. Learn percussion techniques and explore cultural traditions.
Participants in this program must be between the ages of 12 and 16 years old.
 Meadowdale Library
Saturday Feb. 16 10:30 a.m. -11:30 a.m. Bon Air Library
Saturday Feb. 23 10:30 a.m. -11:30 a.m. LaPrade Library

Monday, Feb. 11
6:30 P.M. - 7:30 p.m.
Unknown No Longer: A Virginia Slave Name Database
This genealogical tool, a project of the Virginia Historical Society, offers a glimpse into 19th-century Virginia history. Learn how to find Virginia ancestors.
Chester Library
Also at:
Saturday, February, 23 11 a.m. –noon, Midlothian Library

Saturday, Feb. 16
11 a.m. - noon
Story Time and Craft with the Virginia Historical Society
Hear A Sweet Smell of Roses by Angela Johnson and create a Martin Luther King Jr. hand puppet.
Recommended for children aged 4-10.
Midlothian Library
Also at:
Saturday, Feb. 23, 11 a.m.-noon, Meadowdale Library
Saturday, March 2, 11 a.m.-noon, Central Library

Saturday, Feb. 16
10:30 A.M. -11:30 a.m.
Storyteller Donna Washington
This fun, high-energy, participatory storytelling event will celebrate tricksters, tribulations and triumphs!
LaPrade Library
Saturday, Feb. 16, 1:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m., Meadowdale Library
Saturday, Feb. 16, 3:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m., Central Library
If you have any upcoming Black History Month events, submit them online at www.villagenewsonline.com/tips or email it to info@villagepublishing.com