During Black History Month we celebrate Black history and culture, and honor the contributions and legacy of Black Americans in all areas of life. We hope you will check out our February book displays to learn more about Black history, culture, and achievement. With this program, we also want to acknowledge the historical struggles and ongoing fight for racial justice faced by Black people, and highlight the systemic barriers and undue hardships they have endured and overcome throughout history—particularly here in Oregon.
Amidst the historical backdrop of Oregon's formation, the state grappled with Black exclusion laws, pro-slavery influence, and the free state versus slave state debate. Join Mariah Rocker from Oregon Black Pioneers as she explores these dynamics and their profound impact on Oregon's Black community.
Oregon Black Pioneers is Oregon’s only historical society dedicated to preserving and presenting the experiences of African Americans statewide. For more than 30 years, they have illuminated the seldom-told stories of people of African descent in Oregon through our engaging exhibits, public programs, publications, and historical research.
Watch a livestream of this event on the Library's YouTube Channel: https://youtube.com/live/_VRKE3t9iTc?feature=share(link is external).
The library is located at 706 Fourth Street, Lake Oswego. For more information, please contact librarian Rachael Hyde at rhyde@lakeoswego.city(link sends e-mail). This presentation is made possible by the Friends of the Lake Oswego Public Library.