African American Heritage Center

African American Heritage Center Presents

Macon Library's African American Heritage Center contains material on African American history and culture as well as the "Preserving Footsteps" collection.

Bedford-Stuyvesant is rich with African American history. Landmarked buildings and historic sites remain an important part of the neighborhood. Staff, Local residents and community leaders of Bedford-Stuyvesant have always been interested in preserving African American history and culture and making it available to the public. This is where the idea of an African American Heritage Center sparked from. Constructed in 1907, Macon Library was an ideal location for the African American Heritage Center because of its own historical role as a resource hub for knowledge and information in its community.

There is a general reference collection consisting of books and periodicals, all with special emphasis on black culture. These specific works depict African American and Black diaspora. The Heritage Center also has two public computers dedicated to exploring history and conduct research with available databases. The African American Heritage circulating collection and research computers are available to all Brooklyn Public Library branches and their patrons. In addition to the collection, the African American Heritage Center hold robust culturally appropriate programs such as art exhibitions, author talks and genealogy.

The African American Heritage center houses two special collections. The Preserving Footsteps Collections and the Taneya Gethers-Muhammad children’s book collection. The Preserving Footsteps collection focuses on the history of Bedford-Stuyvesant. This collection was a collaboration between the Brooklyn Collection and the Society for the preservation of Weeksville and Bedford-Stuyvesant History. The Taneya Gethers-Muhammad children’s collection was purchased in honor of one of Brooklyn Public Library’s most dynamic and beloved children’s librarians, Taneya, who passed away late 2017. Taneya’s work, passion and professionalism radiated in everything she did. Taneya was an advocate for culturally empowering programs which brought deserved attention to her work.  Despite lack of formal funding, Taneya’s hard work and innovative programs subsequently solidified her funding from the Charles H. Revison foundation, allowing her to continue her dynamic work. After her passing, the Charles H. Revison foundation donated funds to the Macon Branch in her memory, hence creating the Taneya Gethers-Muhammad children’s book collection. 

Upcoming Events

Concerts in Motion

Thu, May 22 1:30pm
Brooklyn Heights Library, Multipurpose Room

celebrate heritage live music

Join us for some Jazz and Klezmer music with Concerts in Motion! With Ben Rosenblum on accordion and Ric Becker on trombone and vocals.

Saratoga Library Presents: The Fight for Black Farmland Equity and Food Sovereignty in the United States

Tue, May 27 6:00pm
Saratoga Library

all ages author talks celebrate heritage

Farmer, Author, and Black VegFest Founder Omowale Adewale will discuss the historical analysis of Black people struggling to be free on farmland and secure family, safety and food between the late 18th century and 2025.

This discussion is open to patrons of all ages.

Vegan/plant-…

Flamenco for Families: Interactive Performance & Workshop with Flamenco y Sol

Sat, May 31 2:00pm
Brighton Beach Library

celebrate heritage dance fitness and classes Events for Youth and Family

Celebrate the spirit of Southern Spain with internationally acclaimed flamenco artist Sol "La Argentinita" in this family-friendly performance and workshop. Dressed in vibrant, traditional costumes, Sol and her team combine high-energy dance and live music with cultural storytelling and hands-on…

International Folk Dancing Workshop

Thu, Jun 5 1:00pm
Brooklyn Heights Library, Multipurpose Room

celebrate heritage dance fitness and classes

International Folk Dancing is not only a way for us to learn about other cultures around the world through their melodies, steps, patterns and instruments, but it also involves our memory and our…

Summer Reading @ The Library with Calpulli Community

Thu, Jun 5 5:00pm
Brower Park

all ages celebrate heritage everyone is welcome here

Come join us to celebrate Summer Reading at the Library with Calpulli Community! Calpulli Mexican Dance Company’s mission is to celebrate the rich diversity of Mexican and Mexican-American cultural heritage through dance-based programming. Join us for a festive celebration of Mexican dance and…

Movie Matinee: Millie & The Lords

Fri, Jun 6 11:00am
Saratoga, Meeting Room

celebrate heritage film movies

International Folk Dancing Workshop

Thu, Jun 12 1:00pm
Brooklyn Heights Library, Multipurpose Room

celebrate heritage dance fitness and classes

International Folk Dancing is not only a way for us to learn about other cultures around the world through their melodies, steps, patterns and instruments, but it also involves our memory and our…

Caribbean Heritage Flag Day

Fri, Jun 13 3:00pm
Canarsie Library

arts and crafts celebrate heritage game on

Play Games, eat Caribbean-themed snacks, try some Henna, and celebrate Flag Day at the library during this all ages event. The Canarsie Teen Advisers crafted this event.

Grab & Go @ Talea: Juneteenth Craft

Tue, Jun 17 11:00am
Pop Up Leonard Library @ Talea Williamsburg

arts and crafts celebrate heritage grab and go kits

Celebrate Juneteenth with all vibrant colors of red, green, yellow and black. These colors have a very special meaning and symbolism: Red represents blood which people have spilled in the fight for freedom; Green - the land; Black is symbol of black skin of Africa's people, and Yellow - mineral…

Juneteenth Celebration

Tue, Jun 17 2:00pm
Adams Street Library

arts and crafts celebrate heritage giveaways

Celebrate Juneteenth at Adams Street! From 2-5pm we will have snacks, giveaways and music outside of the library. 

From 3-5pm we will have tote bag decorating inside for all ages!

While supplies last!! 

 

African American Heritage Center Staff

For more information about the African American Heritage Center, contact Taeesha Muhammad, African American Heritage Center Associate, at TMuhammad@bklynlibrary.org or Nicole T. Bryan, the Branch Manager at Macon Library, at NBryan@bklynlibrary.org.