Free weekly movie screenings and artist workshops are some of the new programs that will be offered next year at the Center for Black Literature and Culture, housed in the Central Library.
The changes were announced Tuesday, Nov. 12, by CBLC manager Alexus Hunt.
While the list of films won’t be finalized until December, Hunt said each movie will feature nuanced Black characters and emphasize Black joy. After taking a Black film class in college, Hunt was inspired to use movies to tell stories and teach history. The film series is a partnership between the library and the Black Film Center and Archive at Indiana University Bloomington.
Every Monday in February, the center will also host the family-friendly Melanated Movie Monday.
Other new programs coming to CLBC in 2025:
January: Indianapolis-based artist Blayne McCrary – known as Wavy Blayne – will lead a program that explores art and music.
March: People can learn about innovations in digital media and technology, including animation, at workshops hosted by the Luddy School of Informatics at IU Indianapolis
April: Every Tuesday, the CBLC will host readings, performances and other events to celebrate Black poetry during National Poetry Month.
June: On June 14, the center will host the annual Book Fest and Juneteenth Celebration to honor Black writers and storytellers. Keshia McEntire, an author who does public relations for the Indianapolis Public Library, said the festival is a way for local authors to meet and share their work.
Outside of these free events, the CBLC offers over 24,000 materials, including books, DVDs and CDs. It also features small exhibits on Black history, photo galleries of historic Indianapolis, and interactive stations visitors can use to learn more Black history in Indiana and around the world.
All of the virtual materials are also available online. Opened in 2017, the center was made possible by the library’s African American History Committee.
Mirror Indy reporter Breanna Cooper covers arts and culture. Email her at breanna.cooper@mirrorindy.org.
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