BROWARD COUNTY, FL - A Rededication Celebration and the opening
of a new exhibit, Collectors' Duet: The Lifelong Librarianship of Vivian D.
Hewitt and Dorothy Porter Wesley, at 6:30PM on February 11, 2022, mark the 20th
anniversary of Broward
County Library's African
American Research Library and Cultural Center (AARLCC), 2650 Sistrunk
Boulevard, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33311, 954-357-6282.
The library is proud to announce a year-long
commemoration of AARLCC's 20 years of collecting, preserving, and sharing
local, national, and international Black history and culture. Throughout 2022,
AARLCC will host a slate of exciting programs and events for its Vicennial of
Black Excellence, honoring the mission, vision, and people who helped AARLCC
become the nation's third library devoted to African and African American
culture, history, literature and arts.
The Vicennial of Black Excellence
will commence during Black History Month with a Rededication Celebration
connecting AARLCC supporters, past and future. The evening will include music
and entertainment to honor the achievement of visionary and former Broward County
Library Director Samuel F. Morrison, whose dream and years of hard work
made AARLCC a
reality on October 26, 2002.
Collectors' Duet: The Lifelong
Librarianship of Vivian D. Hewitt and Dorothy Porter Wesley showcases the career
triumphs of two pioneering Black librarians through their writings,
photographs, and art collections highlighting the African diaspora.
Both librarians are well represented
in AARLCC's Special Collections. The Dorothy Porter Wesley Collection includes
first editions and rare books along with writings by Dorothy Porter Wesley. The
John H. and Vivian Hewitt Collection contains art by Haitian artists, along
with correspondence and art memorabilia.
The event is free and registration is required.
This 20th Anniversary festivities and
Black History Month exhibition was made possible through the support of Cigna.
Additional support for 20th Anniversary programs throughout 2022
includes sponsorship from JM Family Enterprises, Inc., Bank of America, the Friends of the African American
Research Library and Cultural Center, and the Broward Public Library Foundation. To
become a sponsor or volunteer, contact AARLCC Regional Manager Makiba J. Foster
at mjfoster@broward.org or 954-357-6176.
About Broward County Libraries
Broward County Libraries Division, named 2020 and 2015 Library of the Year by the Florida Library Association, was founded in 1974 and is one of the largest and busiest library system in Florida. Broward County Libraries Division 38 locations provide convenient access to a full range of innovative and cost-effective services that satisfy the changing needs of the people of Broward County for information, education and recreation. Visit our website, Broward.org/Library, or follow Libraries on Facebook and Twitter.
DATE: January 21, 2022
MEDIA CONTACT: Catherine McElrath,
Libraries Division