Renown Black American poet Maya Angelou said, “I always felt, if I could get to a Library, I’ll be OK.” The Metropolitan Library System will celebrate Black History Month with diverse library programs throughout Oklahoma County in the month of February.

Black History Month programs will include informative dance performances on the history of Hip Hop dance from the R.A.C.E. Dance Collective, a documentary screening of The Lady: The Making of the Charlie Christian Jazz Festival with Harold Jones, a presentation on Black Towns in the U.S. and screenings of the PBS film series The African Americans.

The R.A.C.E. (Radical Application of Creative Energy) Dance Collective presents an engaging performance to celebrate the history of Hip Hop dance.

The Lady: The Making of the Charlie Christian Jazz Festival tells the story of 2^nd Street’s Charlie Christian Jazz Festival with Harold Jones. Christian is a musical legend who got his start in Deep Deuce playing string bass, but later adopted the electric guitar. He forever changed the way electric guitar was used, making it a solo instrument.

Black Towns Coast to Coast takes attendees on a road trip through black towns in the United States with special stops in the historic all-black towns of Oklahoma. Learn about the music and events that shaped our nation from LA to Harlem.

The PBS Film Series: The African Americans explores the global experience that created the African American people. The series begins before the first slaves arrived in Jamestown and concludes with civil rights victories in the 1960s to political victories in the 2010s.

Events:

The Lady: The Making of the Charlie Christian Jazz Festival with Harold Jones

Warr Acres Library 3 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 16

The Village Library 6 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 18

Southern Oaks Library 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 22

Ralph Ellison Library 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 29

R.A.C.E. Dance Collective

Ralph Ellison Library 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 4

Capitol Hill Library 5:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 6

Downtown Library 3 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 8

Southern Oaks Library 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 9

Bethany Library 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb.11

Midwest City Library 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb.16

Del City Library 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 18

Northwest Library 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 19

Almonte Library 4:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 20

Warr Acres Library 3 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 22

The Village Library 2 p.m. Sunday Feb. 23

Black Towns Coast to Coast

Ralph Ellison Library 6:30 p.m. Monday, Feb. 17

Belle Isle Library 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 18

Warr Acres Library 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 29

PBS Film Series: The African Americans

The Black Atlantic - Ralph Ellison Library 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 2

The Age of Slavery - Ralph Ellison Library 6 p.m. Monday, Feb. 3

Into the Fire - Ralph Ellison Library 6 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 5

Making a Way Out of No Way - Ralph Ellison Library 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 8

Rise! - Ralph Ellison Library 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 9

A More Perfect Union - Ralph Ellison Library 6 p.m. Monday, Feb. 10