As the Broward County Libraries Division c elebrates the 50th anniversary of its founding in 1974\, the African Ameri can Research Library and Cultural Center (AARLCC) has themed its first ann ual Africana Arts &\; Humanities Festival &ldquo\;Rootedness: Celebrati ng 50 Years of Black Literature and Culture.&rdquo\; \; \; \;
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This Year's Theme: "Rootedness: A Retrospective on 50
Years of Black Literature and Culture"
The 1970s represented a pi votal time for America as the nation began to grasp the full meaning of so cial and legal equality. The new reality was created from the convergence of the civil rights movement\, school desegregation\, integration of the U .S. Armed Forces\, immigration from the Black diaspora\, and the assassina tions of Black leaders which collectively set the stage for a new wave of youthful activism. The 1970s emboldened the spirit of Black self-love\, se lf-determination\, and self-expression took form in the Black Arts and Bla ck Power movements. \;
\nPresented in partnership wi th Broward Cultural Division\, Broward County Parks and Recreation Divisio n\, the Urban League of Broward County\, Broward County Office of Economic and Small Business Development\, and Ujima Men's Collective.
\nSponsored by JM Family Enterprises\, Bank of America \, Fort Lauderdale CRA\, Holman\, and Visit Lauderdale.
\ n\nFestival Schedule At-A-Glance (View Digital Program Book)
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| \n\n Michael Harriot\, Journalist\, Author\, a nd Cultural Critic \; \nFriday\, March 22\, 2024\, 6:00 PM \ ; \nMichael Harriot is a critically acclaimed poet\, journalist\, an d broadcaster who covers the intersection of race\, politics\, and social issues. He&rsquo\;s a senior writer for TheGrio.com\, and his work is ofte n cited by outlets and individuals from the New York Times and th e Washington Post. Famously called "the King of Black Twitter\," Harriot has also created a podcast called &ldquo\;Drapetomaniax: Unshackle d History\,&rdquo\; which combines his skills as a researcher and humorist . In his book\, Black AF History: The Un-Whitewashed Story of America< /em>\, a New York Times bestseller\, is a searingly smart and bit ingly hilarious retelling of American history that corrects the record and showcases the perspectives and experiences of Black Americans. \; \n\n\n\n | \n
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| \n\n This year's reception\, "Destination Roots\," will feature DJ Tillery James spinning funk\, soul\, and disco hits from the 19 70s. Catering by Swirl Wine Bistro. Proceeds benefit the Africana Arts &am p\; Humanities Festival. Pur chase tickets here. \n\n\n\n\n | \n\n
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| \n\n Cornrows and Crowns: A Conversation wit h Camille Yarbrough and Kahran Bethencourt \; \nSaturday\, March 23\, 2024\, at 10:00 AM \nJoin us for an intergenerational discussi on about hair pride between Coretta Scott King Award-winning authors Camil le Yarbrough\, author of Cornrows\, and Kahran Bethencourt of Cre ativeSoul (The Me I Choose to Be\, Crowned\, and Glory). The even t will also feature a children&rsquo\;s hair show curated by Natural Trend Setters to celebrate the beauty and creativity of Black aesthetic culture . \nNana Camille Yarbrough&rsquo\;s glorious career spans over seven decades\, several continents\, countless awards and accolades\, and a few generations\, and continues to inspire audiences today through her books\ , lectures\, and performances. In 1979 Nana Camille&rsquo\;s first book\, Cornrows\, a work that she calls a family book (rather than a children&rsq uo\;s book)\, was published by Putnam Publishers\, and was heralded as &ld quo\;a gem&rdquo\; by Essence magazine even before people were used to Bla ck people embracing their natural hair. The work was awarded the American Library Association&rsquo\;s Coretta Scott King Award in 1980 for illustra tion. The groundbreaking book was re-issued in 2023. \; \nSponso red by the Friends of the Broward County Library and the Friends of AARLCC . \n\n(Session will be live-streamed on Facebook and YouTube) \n\n \n \n | \n
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| \n\n Dr. Daniel Black\, Author and Professor \; \nSaturday\, Ma rch 23\, 2024\, 2:15 PM\, Presented by the Ujima Men's Collective. \n
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| \n\n From Alex Haley to the Present: A Genealogical Per spective \nSaturday\, March 23\, 2024\, 2:15 PM \n< p>\nFew people were conducting genealogy before Alex Haley publishe d Roots in 1976. Before Alex Haley most had never heard the word genealogy . Now\, pollsters say genealogy is America's number one hobby. Haley never imagined the world-wide impact and the vast numbers of people he inspired to search for their ancestors. Nor did Haley envision the effect of techn ology on genealogy research. Genealogy research has come a long way in the last 48 years. \;Join Tony Burroughs\, Fellow of the Utah Genealogic al Association (FUGA)\, and travel through time as we see the impact and l egacy of Alex Haley and also learn how you can get started tracing your fa mily tree. \; \n | \n
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n\n Dr. Erica Williams \, Professor of Anthropology\, Spelman College \nSaturday\, March 23\, 2024\, 12:30 PM - 2:00 PM \n\n"West African Women\, Work\, and the Family: Niara Sudarkasa's Contributions to Africana Scholarship in the 1970s&rdquo\; \; \nErica L. Williams is Prof
essor of Anthropology at Spelman College. She has a Ph.D. and M.A. in Cult
ural Anthropology from Stanford University\, and a B.A. in Anthropology an
d Africana Studies from New York University. She is the author of \; (Session will be live-streamed on Facebook and YouTube) | \n
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| \n\n Thursday\, Marc h 21\, 2024\, at 2:00 PM \nScreening of "Toni Morrison: The Pieces I Am." Talkback with Dr. Carole Boyce Davies of Howard University\, Dr. Reg is Fox of Florida Atlantic University\, Professor Zakiya Odoi of Broward C ollege\, and radio personality Jill Tracey. \nSponsored by the Dorot hy F. Schmidt College of Arts and Letters at Florida Atlantic University.< /p>\n \n(Talkback will be live-streamed on Facebook< /a> and YouTube) \n | \n
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| \n\n Sunday\, March 24\, 2024 \nEsplanade Park\, 32 East Las Olas Boulevard\, Downtown Fort Laude rdale \n\nJoin some of the most diverse and contemporary Blac k voices of Broward County as they perform at the third annual Rhythm by the River: A Festival Celebrating Black Voices\, hosted by the Bro ward Center for the Performing Arts\, from 2 to 6 p.m. on Sunday\, March 2 4 at Esplanade Park\, 32 E. Las Olas Blvd. in downtown Fort Lauderdale. \n | \n
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T he 2024 Africana Arts &\; Humanities Festival is generously sponsored b y:
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