Queens Conversations: Celebrating Black History Month

Since 1976, every American president has designated February as Black History Month, although the original concept dates back to the 1920s. Our Queens Conversations program focuses attention on this history that perhaps should be celebrated all-year-round.
We will present a special message from Queens Borough President Donovan Richards honoring Black Americans' significant contributions and achievements. Professor Kerri-Ann M. Smith, Inaugural Faculty Fellow for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at Queensborough College, will offer her insights as one of our guests. Joining her will be Mr. Rafael Ortiz, Teen Librarian at Queens Public Library at Flushing. He will outline his program, "Coding for a Cause," explaining how to use necessary coding skills to learn about the history and make a positive change for the future. The Thirteenth Amendment will be his topic.  
Finally, Ralph McDaniels, Queens Public Library Hip Hop Coordinator, will preview the Black Health and Healing Virtual Summit, a two-day event hosted by the Queens Public Library and The Black Caucus of the American Library Association on February 5th and 6th.