National African American Read-Ins
This national event was established in 1990 by the Black Caucus of the National Council of Teachers of English in an effort to make literacy a significant part of Black History Month and is the nation's first and oldest event dedicated to diversity in literature.
Join the other 5.5 million participants around the world on Monday, February, 1, 2016 from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. in the Fernandina Beach Library Community Room. You can choose to listen or if you would like, you can participate by bringing a 1-2 reading from any material written by an African American including poetry, speeches, books, etc. This event is sponsored by The Friends of the Fernandina Beach Library, The Association for the Study and Preservation of African American History in Nassau County, and the Nassau County Public Library System.
A second National African American Read-In will also take place at the Hilliard Branch Library on Thursday, February 18, 2016 from 6:00 - 7:30 p.m. and will include a special performance by the West Nassau Mass Choir. This event is sponsored by the Nassau County Public Library System, The Friends of the Hilliard Library, and The Concerned Citizens of Hilliard.
Showing of the Rosenwald Film by Aviva Kempner
Rosenwald is the incredible story of Julius Rosenwald, who never finished high school, but rose to become the President of Sears. Influenced by the writings of Booker T. Washington, this Jewish philanthropist joined forces with African-American communities during the Jim Crow South to build over 5,300 schools during the early part of the 20th Century, including Peck High School in Fernandina Beach. The film will be shown on Monday, February 22, 2016 at 6:00 p.m. in the Fernandina Beach Library Community Room.
This film screening is funded by the City's Historic Preservation Trust Fund, the Nassau County Library System, and local citizens.
For information or questions concerning these events, please contact the Fernandina Beach Library at (904) 277-7365.
-Sabrina Robertson
County Manager's Office