Black History

D.C. Libraries Host Events to Honor Dr. King

THE AFRO — D.C. Public Libraries have a week full of events and resources for every ages in celebration of the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Published

5 years ago

January 13, 2019

Stephanie Cornish

By George Kevin Jordan

D.C. Public Libraries have a week full of events and resources for every ages in celebration of the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Martin Luther King Jr. Week is January 13-20, and libraries all across the District have events slated.

King was arguably one of the most famous civil rights leader in America and the world. Born in Atlanta, GA, he used his intellect, wit and oratory skill to push for equality for Blacks in the 50s and 60s.

Just a few of his noteworthy moments include his famous “I Have a Dream” speech, his “Letter from a Birmingham Jail” and winning the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964. President Ronald Reagan signed a bill to make MLK Jr. Day a federal holiday in 1983. As a result the United States now commemorates the day annually every third Monday in January.

Here are some of the highlighted D.C. Public Library events:

Tuesday, Jan. 15

Martin Luther King Birthday Story Time

11:15 a.m. at the Takoma Park Library, 416 Cedar St. N.W., Washington, D.C. 20012

This story time event is designed for children 3-5, and runs about 30-40 minutes. Kids and adults will participate in reading and learning activities to help develop a love for learning.

Later that evening it’s a night of films as the Georgetown Library, 3260 R St. N.W.

Washington, D.C. 20007, presents “Citizen King” a PBS documentary about the last five years of Dr. King’s beginning at 6 p.m.

Over at Tenley-Friendship Library, 4450 Wisconsin Ave. N.W., Washington, D.C. 20016, there will be a screening of Ava DuVernay’s biopic film about King “Selma.” This film also begins at 6 p.m.

Wednesday, Jan. 16

The Cleveland Park Library will host “The March on Washington: A discussion with Jamie Stiehm and Clarence Page” at 7 p.m. 3310 Connecticut Ave. N.W. Washington, D.C. 20008. Page is a Pulitzer Prize winning columnist for the Chicago Tribune, and Stiehm is a writer for the Creator’s Syndicate. Both will discuss the day when Dr. King Jr. gave his most famous speech.

Saturday, Jan. 19

Author Paula Young Shelton, daughter of civil rights leader Andrew Young, will read from her children’s book “Child of the Civil Rights Movement” at 12 p.m. Saturday at the Northeast Library, 330 7th St. NE, Washington, D.C. 20002. Shelton will talk about her time growing up around civil rights leaders. She is currently the writer in residence at Georgetown Day School.

Along with a host of events, D.C. Public Library has a slew of books to recommend on Dr. King’s life and the Civil Rights Movement including: “The Autobiography of Martin Luther King,” by King himself, “The Fire Next Time” by James Baldwin, and “The King Years: Historic Moments in the Civil Rights Movement” by Taylor Branch. All are available for checkout at on the library branches.

D.C. Libraries also has a Black Studies Center, The African American Studies Center, and access to four African American newspaper databases including the Baltimore Afro-American.

For a full calendar of events please go to www.DCLibrary.org. All events are free and open to the public.

This article originally appeared in The Afro.

Stephanie Cornish

Posts by Stephanie Cornish

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Black History

Matthew Henson: Explorer Extraordinaire

Matthew Henson, a trailblazing explorer who overcame countless obstacles to leave an incredible mark on history. Born on August 8, 1866, in Charles County, Maryland, his journey is a testament to the power of determination and the spirit of adventure.

Published

2 weeks ago

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Matthew Henson (File Photo)

By Tamara Shiloh

Henson’s life began amidst the backdrop of post-Civil War America, where opportunities for African Americans were scarce. From a young age, he possessed an insatiable curiosity about the world beyond his small town. At the age of 12, he embarked on a journey that would change the course of his life forever when he joined a merchant ship as a cabin boy.

His most famous expedition was his journey to the Arctic with renowned explorer Robert E. Peary. In 1887, Henson joined Peary’s crew as a seaman and quickly proved himself to be invaluable with his skills as a navigator and craftsman. Over the course of several expeditions, Matthew endured extreme cold, treacherous terrain, and grueling conditions as he and Peary sought to reach the elusive North Pole.

In 1908–09, Peary set out on his eighth attempt to reach the North Pole. It was a big expedition, with Peary planning to leave supplies along the way. When he and Henson boarded their ship, the Roosevelt, leaving Greenland on August 18, 1909, they were joined by a large group. This included 22 Inuit men, 17 Inuit women, 10 children, 246 dogs, 70 tons of whale meat, blubber from 50 walruses, hunting gear, and tons of coal.

In February, Henson and Peary left their anchored ship at Ellesmere Island’s Cape Sheridan, along with the Inuit men and 130 dogs. They worked together to set up a trail and supplies along the way to the Pole.

Peary picked Henson and four Inuit people to join him in the final push to the Pole. However, before they reached their destination, Peary couldn’t walk anymore and had to ride in a dog sled. He sent Henson ahead to scout the way. In a later interview with a newspaper, Henson recalled being in the lead and realizing they had gone too far. The group turned back, and Henson noticed his footprints helped guide them to their destination. At that location, Henson planted the American flag.

Henson’s legacy extends far beyond his expeditions to the Arctic. He shattered racial barriers in the world of exploration and inspired countless individuals, regardless of race, to dream big and pursue their passions. In 1937, he was finally recognized for his achievements when he was inducted into The Explorers Club, an organization dedicated to promoting scientific exploration and field research.

Matthew Henson died in the Bronx, New York, on March 9, 1955, at the age of 88.