Black History Month is a celebration of the accomplishments by African Americans and a tribute to the adversities they face in our nation’s history and present. Learn more about the contributions of black artists and musicians, inventors and scientists, educators and athletes, and more through resources and events at Mid-Continent Public Library.
Use your MCPL Access Pass (Library Card) to explore these resources or apply for a free card today.
History
Cathay Williams: Buffalo Soldier
Cathay Williams: Buffalo Soldier
Thursday, February 11 | 7:00 p.m.
Cathay Williams was an African American woman who enlisted in the United States Army under the pseudonym William Cathay. She was the first Black woman to enlist, and the only documented woman to serve in the United States Army posing as a man.
Discover the story of the only documented female Buffalo Soldier, and learn about her service in the 38th U.S. Infantry from 1866 to 1868.
Kansas City Black History
Kansas City Black History
Explore the African-American community's influence on the history and culture of Kansas City.
African-American History Online
African-American History Online
Covers more than 500 years of African-American history from the slave trade to the Civil Rights movement to the present day.
Slavery and Anti-Slavery
Slavery and Anti-Slavery
Includes works on the transatlantic slave trade and the global abolition movement.
Slavery, Abolition and Social Justice, 1490-2007
Slavery, Abolition and Social Justice, 1490-2007
Documents and collections from libraries and archives across the Atlantic world.
U.S. History
U.S. History
Browse topics to discover “African American Perspectives” from pre-colonial times to the present.
Arts & Culture
Virtual Book Group
Josephine Baker’s Last Dance by Sherry Jones
Thursday, Feb 18 | 7:00 p.m.
Join in the book discussion! We'll be talking about Josephine Baker’s Last Dance by Sherry Jones. Contact booktalk@mymcpl.org to reserve your copy.
African American Music Reference
African American Music Reference
Essays and images that cover blues, jazz, spirituals, civil rights songs, slave songs, gospel, and other forms of black American musical expression.
American Music
American Music
Hear the music from America’s past, including songs by and about slaves, and the songs of the Civil Rights movement.
Black Thought and Culture
Black Thought and Culture
Nonfiction writings that presents what it is to be black in America. Includes the only full run of The Black Panther newspaper.
Jazz Music Library
Jazz Music Library
The largest and most comprehensive collection of streaming jazz available online.
People
Tom Bass’ Commencement Address
Wednesday, Feb 24 | 7:00 p.m.
Join Storyteller and Cultural Historian Br. John Anderson in this one-person show as he portrays Missouri native, Tom Bass, who is credited with founding the American Royal Horse Show.
Leroy Robert “Satchel” Paige was an American professional baseball pitcher who played in Negro league baseball and Major League Baseball (MLB).
His career spanned five decades and culminated with his induction into the National Baseball Hall of Fame.
African American Biographical Database
African American Biographical Database
Biographies of activists, former slaves, artists, athletes, educators, lawyers, writers, scientists, and more.
Biography
Biography
Includes biographies of African Americans from Hank Aaron to Zendaya.
Access Video on Demand
Access Video on Demand
Learn about Black Americans from leaders of the Civil Rights Movement to the women of color who are transforming politics from the ground up.
For Kids and Families
Celebrate Black Lives
Celebrate Black Lives
Stories and memoirs for kids that highlight the lives of Black people who have changed the world.