February is Black History Month and we are celebrating by sponsoring several events hosted by our friends at SUNY Corning Community College and the Katherine P. Douglas Center for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. We welcome you to a conversation with glass artist, Chris Day on Tuesday, February 9 at noon.

Chris Day fuses glass, ceramics, and metal to explore Black history and personal identity. He will discuss how the legacy of slavery, the under-representation of Black artists, and his mixed heritage shape his work. Joining us as guest moderators will be Susie Silbert, Curator of Postwar & Contemporary Glass at the Corning Museum of Glass, and Jessica Smith, SUNY CCC student.

Gain some personal insight from athlete and author, Etan Thomas on Tuesday, February 16 at 6pm. Join us for a presentation and discussion with former Syracuse University and NBA player Etan Thomas. Etan will speak to our community about the black athlete, their activism, and the impact on social change. Etan is a major voice in the conversation of social justice and it will be a pleasure for our students, local youth, and all community members to hear from him, how he pivoted from Syracuse Orange and NBA basketball player to an activist, writer, speaker. Joining us as a guest moderator will be Sky Moss, SUNY CCC Professor.

Enjoy a performance and discussion with members of the Kanneh-Mason family on Wednesday, February 24 at 2pm. Younger sisters Jeneba on the piano and Aminata on violin will perform a few songs then join us for a discussion with their mom, Kadiatu Kanneh-Mason. Joining us as a guest moderator will be Benita Eldridge, Assistant Principal at Elmira High School.

The Southeast Steuben County Library will present a two-day event focusing on the film, Alice’s Ordinary People. Alice’s Ordinary People is a documentary about Alice Tregay, an unsung heroine of the Civil Rights Movement. Her remarkable story spans the historic marches of Dr. King through the election of Barack Obama, and her great contribution in the field of politics is the thread which connects the two. On Monday, February 15 at 7pm, the Library will show the film via Zoom. On Tuesday, February 16 at 7pm, there will be a live talk and discussion led by the filmmaker, Craig Dudnick.

Get your body moving on Thursday, February 25 at 6pm with Afrobeat Fit. Afrobeat Fit is a high intensity cardio workout where music and movement derive from the late and great artist and influencers of Africa. Afrobeat Fit “Sweat Sessions” are always inclusive to all and rooted in love!

In Celebrating Cultures Through Cooking, Chefs Andy and Nogaye will demonstrate the preparation of “thiou” and ingredient baskets can be purchased for $35 prior to the event through an online registration. Once purchased, baskets will be available for pick-up at the customer service desk at Wegmans Corning. Guests are invited to prepare their own “thiou” at their home, while the chefs create the demonstration. Professor Moss will moderate the demonstration with questions and answers, facts, and information.

There is so much to pack in this month. This listing is just a sip of the options we have to offer from the Library and our community partners. Zip around these links and broaden your perspective.

That’s a wrap for this stationary moment. I’ll check you on the flip side!