For Immediate Release: Friday, January 13

African American History Month @ the Library
A February Full of Programs for Adults, Teens & Families

For Children's events, link here.
For AAMLO events, link here.

(Oakland, CA) Whether it's the creator of the first integrated cartoon for syndication or the first Black woman national talk show host, the public has a chance to meet African Americans leaders and celebrate African American History Month at Oakland Public Library in February. Teen, family and adult program highlights include hip-hop theater dance group Medea Sirkas keeping alive the Bay Area's own Strutting, Boogaloo, and Fillmore dance style traditions; fascinating Black broadcasting pioneer Jerri Lange talking about her life and her new autobiography; and the 40th Anniversary of the Black Panther Party honored at the popular annual African American Celebration Through Poetry.

Everyone is invited to these and other special programs designed to honor the many vital contributions of African Americans to our world.

African American Celebration through Poetry
All are welcome at this popular annual event now in its 15th Year! The theme of this year's gathering is Resistance Movements: Black Panther Party Revisited on its 40th Anniversary. Writers, performers and artists of all ages and experience levels are encouraged to share their work at the Celebration, especially pieces on th is year's theme. Past participants have included "closet" poets and award-winning authors, eight year olds and octogenarians. Artwork, dance, and other creative works are also welcome. To be in the regular program or display your art, please call 238-7352 by Friday, January 27. Attend rehearsal on Saturday, January 28 from 10 am to 1 pm, or simply bring your poetry for the "open mic" part of the event.

Saturday, February 4, 1 to 4 pm, West Oakland Branch, 1801 Adeline Street , (510) 238-7352

An Afternoon with Cartoonist Morrie Turner
Credited with integrating the comic pages with his syndicated comic strip Wee Pals in 1965, Morrie Turner is one Oakland-native whose work has touched lives far beyond his East Bay home. This award-winning cartoonist made a career of creating popular characters who spread a positive message about tolerance and multiculturalism in both print and television. All ages are invited to join him as he draws characters from Wee Pals and answers your questions. He will also share his latest book, Super Sistahs: Featuring the Accomplishments of African-American Women Past and Present (Bye Publishing, 2005).

Saturday, February 4, 2 to 4:30 pm, Rockridge Branch, 5366 College Avenue , (510) 597-5017

Fashions at the Gate: Styles of the African Diaspora
A show and sale of community-donated fashions to benefit Friends of Golden Gate Branch Library.

Medea Sirkas Dance Theater
They've been seen on Showtime at The Apollo, the KRON 4 Morning Show, KPIX 5's Evening Magazine, FOX TV's hit show 30 Seconds to Fame, and Mornings on 2 - now come see this local hip-hop dance sensation at Oakland Public Library! Two members of this famous dance theater group will wow library patrons with their unique mix of the Strutting, Boogaloo, and Fillmore dance styles. With the group members active in the Bay Area hip-hop group dance scene since the 1970s, it's fair to say that Medea Sirkas is a local living legend - don't let their futuristic costumes and effects fool you. All ages are welcome to watch and learn about the local hip-hop dance scene. PHOTOS AVAILABLE BY REQUEST.

Saturday, February 25
11:30 am, M. L. King, Jr. Branch, 6833 International Blvd., (510) 615-5728
1:30 pm, Golden Gate Branch, 5606 San Pablo Avenue, (510) 597-5023
3:30 pm, Elmhurst Branch, 1427 88th Avenue, (510) 615-5727

African American Quilters of Oakland Workshop and Demonstration
Come learn about the tradition of quilting and receive a starter kit and instructions.

Saturday, February 25, 1 to 3:30 pm, West Oakland Branch, 1801 Adeline Street , (510) 238-7352

Meet Oakland Authors Who Make a Difference
Jerri Lange will share her new book, Jerri, A Black Woman's Life in the Media. Jerry's pioneering career has included many firsts in politics and broadcast journalism. She went from working for Art Hoppe and others at the San Francisco Chronicle to serving as the first Black to work in the San Francisco Mayor's Office under John Shelley, where she once helped avoid a near race riot. Her Turnabout show on KQED made her the first Black woman to host a national talk show. She ran into resistance, however, and was later "black-balled" by the media after delivering a famous critical speech called "Blacks in Broadcasting."

Also speaking at this event, former Oakland schoolteacher Chilifiya Safaa will read from her new novel, A Foreign Affair, about love relationships through the African Diaspora. Chilifiya lives in Oakland, where she is currently completing a Ph.D. in Education with an emphasis in multicultural curriculum development. This is her first novel.

Books from both authors will be for sale. Additional authors may also appear at this event.

For more information, call (510) 238-3134, or see the Library's Web site: www.oaklandlibrary.org. Please refrain from wearing scented products to library events. To request sign interpretation, or other accommodation, call the number above or (510) 834-7446 (TTY) at least five working days prior to the event. The Oakland Public Library is a department of the City of Oakland .