AARLCC has established a residency for the Art Prevails Project (APP), a South Florida-based nonprofit dedicated to strengthening underserved communities through literary and performing arts. This dynamic residency will feature a series of engaging programs designed to inspire creativity and self-expression among participants of all ages.
Attendees can look forward to improv classes that encourage spontaneity and collaboration, as well as creative writing workshops aimed at honing literary skills and fostering a love for storytelling. Young poets will have the opportunity to showcase their talents in a youth poetry competition, providing a platform for emerging voices to be heard and celebrated. The residency also includes APP’s annual event, “Our Voices: Festival of Words,” a vibrant celebration of spoken word, poetry, and storytelling that brings together diverse voices from the community.
Established in 2015 by founder and artistic director Darius V. Daughtry, the Art Prevails Project has a rich history of facilitating creative arts workshops, staging original theater productions, and partnering with impactful organizations to bring the arts to various communities. Their vision is a world where everyone can see themselves in the creative arts and harness its healing powers to strengthen themselves and their communities.
Write On! Creative Writing Workshop, Wednesday, Jan 8 from 6 to 7:30 p.m.
Improv with Art Prevails Project, Wednesday, Jan. 29 from
6 to 7:30 p.m.
Deadline for Black History Month Art and Essay Contest is January 31
Broward County students in grades 9-12 are invited to participate in the Black History Month Essay and Art Contest. Participants are asked to reflect on the Association for the Study of African American Life and History’s 2025 theme for Black History Month, “African Americans and Labor.” In their essays or art submissions, students are asked to explore how labor and workplaces have shaped the experiences of African Americans throughout history.
The deadline for entries is January 31, 2025. Winners will be honored during a program on Wednesday, February 19, 2025.
AARLCC’s Black History Month Art and Essay Contest
Deadline for Submissions: January 31, 2025
AARLCC’s Award Winning Black History Saturday School Series Continues
Join us for an engaging family workshop where participants will explore the importance of storytelling, read stories by diverse authors, and create their own stories, songs, or skits, celebrating African American culture and history.
This monthly program is perfect for families who love to learn together. Registration is required.
This program is sponsored by the Friends of the African American Research Library and Cultural and presented in partnership with Link Up & Build, Inc.
Black History Saturday School Series, Saturday, Jan. 11 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
In the News: “Florida students are giving up Saturdays to learn Black history lessons their schools don’t teach”
AARLCC and its award-winning Black History Saturday School Series is referenced in this article by Kate Payne at AP News.
New Exhibition: “Year Long Summers” by Bri Mason
“Year Long Summers” is an ongoing photo project that captures the vibrant spirit and diverse creativity thriving in South Florida. Starting in 2021 and officially named in 2023, this project draws inspiration from the sun-soaked days, beachside breezes, and the relentless heat that define the Miami landscape and its unique cultural fabric.
The project focuses on creatives from all walks of life, including musical artists, models, other photographers, fashion designers, and more. This project offers a multifaceted glimpse into their world through dynamic, creative portraiture. Each portrait is crafted to reveal the subject from various perspectives, blending traditional and contemporary techniques. By utilizing both film and digital cameras, “Year Long Summers” marries the timeless quality of analog photography with the versatility of modern technology.
The exhibition will be on display between January 11 and April 30, 2025.
Cultural Conversation: “Year Long Summers” by Bri Mason
Saturday, January 11
4-6PM
Legacy South Florida Magazine Recognizes Dr. Tameka Hobbs
Legacy South Florida Magazine selected AARLCC’s Regional Manager, Dr. Tameka Bradley Hobbs, as one of its “Most Prominent and Influential Black Women in Business and Industry” for 2024.
Find Out What’s Happening at AARLCC
There’s so much more happening at AARLCC. To view a complete list of programs and events, visit http://broward.org/library and select “Events” from the Quick Links menu, which will take you to the Broward County Library events listing. At the top, filter by location, select the African American Research Library and Cultural Center, and search by date to find the event. Be sure to register for the events you plan to attend to receive updates and reminders.
ICYMI: Book Talk with Rickey Smiley
Legendary comedian, actor, author, television host, and award-winning radio host Rickey Smiley visited AARLCC to discuss his new book, Sideshow: Living with Loss and Moving Forward with Faith. Smiley shared the hard lessons he’s learned as he copes with the death of his son, Brandon, through faith and therapy.
