Library hosts Black History day

Photo by Tyler Hargett
Ella Mae West recites “What If I Am A Black Woman” at Russellville Public Library’s Black History Month observance.

By Tyler Hargett for the FCT

tyler.hargett@fct.wpengine.com

Russellville Public Library celebrated Black History Month Saturday with a day of games, singing, guest speakers and snacks, with a special movie screening at the end.

Birmingham Civil Rights Institute event coordinator Charles Woods III hosted the day’s activities, which included Freedom Feud (a Family Feud-style game with questions that were polled on Facebook about the Civil Rights Movement) and Black History Jeopardy. Snacks and refreshments were served next, followed by Tammy West and Tamara Grace of the Martin Luther King Jr. Choir performing songs for the audience. Ella Mae West then read the poem “What If I Am a Black Woman?’, followed by the Rev. BJ Bonner, minister at College Avenue First Baptist Church in Russellville, speaking about growing up in times of segregation and how true love is non-discriminating.

“All of us are special in God’s sight,” he said. “As our spirits come together for doing and being the righteous people we need to be, not only will we advance humanity, but I learned that, when we work together, we’re advancing godliness.”

After closing comments, the movie “Selma” was viewed.

Additionally, throughout the day, visitors were free to browse Tammy West’s Black History-inspired art pieces that were on display in the library’s back room, as well as the Franklin County Extension’s informative displays on well-known black individuals in the front of the library. The displays will be changed every week of this month.

“If we forget about our past, we don’t know where we’re going in our future,” said Franklin County Extension Coordinator Katernia Cole-Coffey, who spoke at the library.

Library Director Ashley Cummins said she was happy with the turnout and hopes to make the celebration an annual event at the library.