Celebrate Black History Month with the Matteson Area Public Library

Black History Month is a time to honor and reflect on the rich history, culture, and contributions of Black Americans. This February we are thrilled to host a series of exciting events to host a series of exciting events that highlight strength, resilience and creativity of our community. From our annual kick-off reception this year showcasing black fraternities and sororities, to live comedy, music and more there's something for everyone to enjoy and celebrate.

Our events will take place at both the

Holiday Inn Matteson & Matteson Area Library District 801 School Ave Matteson IL 60443

Registration is not required for events at the Matteson Holiday Inn 950 Lake Superior Dr, Matteson, IL 60443

3rd Annual Black History Kick-Off will take place on Friday, January 31, 2025 from 6pm-9pm at the Matteson Holiday Inn

This is a black tie event and refreshments will be provided.

Showcasing an exhibit, presented by Nina McAdoo, which highlights nine historically Black fraternities and sororities that shaped change and resistance, including their key roles in the Civil Rights Movement." Are you interested in your fraternity or sorority participating? Please check mapld.org for more information .

Saturday February 1, 2025 will be a Comedy Night at the Matteson Holiday Inn from 7- 9 pm. Enjoy and evening of good clean comedy! Featuring Leon Rogers, Mo Good, and Comedian Stephon.

Sunday, February 2, 2025 , a Gospel Explosion will take place at the Matteson Holiday Inn from 3 – 5 pm Join us for an inspiring performance by local school choirs including Rich Township High School Dist 227, O.W. Huth Middle School and Homewood Flossmoor High School, with uplifting musical selections.

The following events at the Matteson Library require registration

Register here

• Art and Verse a night of Inspiration, Friday, February 7, 20256 – 8 pm Engage in a night of inspiration, with an exhibit dedicated to honoring the artistic contributions and legacy of remarkable artists from Illinois.

• Ayanna Watts : How to Become an Illustrator Tuesday February 11, 5-6 Zoom in to hear how Ms. Watts became a black freelance illustrator and first time author . She will speak on her experience of adding black representation with the goal of inspiring black children to read and hopefully pursue STEM. She expresses the need to see more positive representations of black people by black authors and illustrators. Click here to zoom in .

• Alice's Ordinary People Screening and Discussion, Thursday, February 13, 2025, 6 – 8 pm A documentary about Alice Tregay’s story. An ordinary person an effecting extraordinary change for human rights.
• The Beat Goes On: Preserving the Heritage of the Black Panther Party, Operations of the Party in Illinois, Wednesday, February 19, 2025 6:30 – 7:30 pm The Historical Preservation Society of the Illinois Chapter of the Black Panther Party is creating tangible, place-based educational and cultural learning experiences based on the Black Panther Party’s historical record in Illinois.
• African American History Live* Ages 4 – 12, Thursday, February 20, 2025, 6 – 7:30 pm Join Kidworks Touring Theatre as we journey from Africa to America, experiencing key moments in history with Harriet Tubman, Abraham Lincoln, Rosa Parks, and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.”
• Motown Night Friday, February 21, 2025 6 – 8 pm Groove to the sounds of Motown with “Rhonda High Browne and the Pieces”.
• African American Book Club Wednesday, February 26, 2025 6 – 7:30 pm This month’s book is How Long ’till Black Future Month? by N.K. Jemison. Copies of the book will be located on the Hold Shelf all month near Patron Services.
• The Soul Collective Band Friday 28, February 2025 6 – 8 pm Join us for a night of soulful music as we wrap up Black History Month.

Thank You for Your Support

We are so excited to bring these events to life and can’t wait to share them with you. Your participation, whether as an attendee or a sponsor, will help make this Black History Month celebration truly special. Together, we can celebrate the vibrant history, culture, and contributions of Black Americans. Thank you for your continued support!
For more information and event details, visit our website or contact us at (708) 748-4431.