San Francisco Public Library (SFPL) presents More Than a Month, its Black History Month programming series, showcasing Black history, culture and creativity. Throughout January and February, and beyond, SFPL offers a dynamic lineup of programs including author talks, exhibits, music, arts and crafts, book clubs, films and more. 

This year marks the 100th anniversary of Black History Month celebrations, encouraging reflection on the impact and meaning of these commemorations in transforming the status of Black peoples in the modern world.  

For more information about SFPL’s programs and recommended reads, visit sfpl.org/more-than-a-month. 

Featured Exhibition 

We’ve Got Sole: Hip Hop, Hoops and the Rise of Sneaker Culture, January 16–May 15, Main Library, African American Center, 3rd Floor 

Visit the African American Center at the Main Library for an exciting new exhibition, We've Got Sole, a celebration of the Black community’s influence on sneaker culture. On view from January 16 –May 15, the exhibit pays homage to the legacy of the Black and Brown communities whose creativity, perseverance, and style helped develop and shape what is now referred to as sneaker culture.   

Sneaker culture first sprang out of New York City’s five boroughs, then later spread to other urban centers, including the Bay Area. These communities elevated ordinary athletic footwear into cultural symbols of status and wealth. This exhibit will highlight how sneaker culture first emerged from Hip Hop and the rise of Black athletes in the NBA during the 1970s and 1980s.  

Opening Reception: A Look at the Legacy of Hip Hop Fashion, Jan. 22, 6–7 p.m., Main Library, African American Center, 3rd Floor 
 

Program Highlights 

Celebration: Divine Forces: Exploring the Power of the Orishas, Jan. 18, 12:30–5 p.m., Main Library, Lower Level 
Experience a transformative event blending Yoruba spirituality, cultural exploration, and collective healing. Featuring keynote speaker Luisah Teish and Hugo & Nebula Award-winning author Tomi Adeyemi, plus panels with renowned writers and scholars. 

Author Talk: Dr. Artel Great, Feb. 11, 5:30–7:30 p.m., Main Library, Koret Auditorium, Lower Level 
Join Dr. Artel Great (SFSU) for an illuminating conversation on the untold story of five comedic pioneers—Eddie Murphy, Paul Mooney, Keenen Ivory Wayans, Robert Townsend and Arsenio Hall—who formed a comedy supergroup in the late 1980s. Together, they revolutionized American comedy through socially and politically charged films and TV shows. 

Author Talk: Kashana Cauley in Conversation with Audrey T. Williams, Feb. 22, 3 p.m., Main Library 
Join a lively discussion of The Survivalists with author Kashana Cauley. 

Celebration: Drumbeats Heartbeats: Community as One, Feb. 24, 4:45–8 p.m., Main Library, Koret Auditorium, Lower Level 
Celebrate Lunar New Year and Black History Month with music, dance and community. 

Activity: Comic Drawing with Ajuan Mance, Feb. 25, 6 p.m., Bernal Heights Branch 
Draw yourself as a superhero with guidance from author and illustrator Ajuan Mance. 

Program Roundup 

Film: Black Panther, Wakanda Forever, Jan. 18, 2 p.m., Mission Bay Branch 
Join us for Marvel’s epic sequel as Wakanda faces new challenges after King T’Challa’s passing. A story of resilience, unity and heroism for the whole family. 

Workshop: Black Voices in American Opera, Jan. 21, 5:30 p.m., Mission Bay Branch 
Explore the rich history and contributions of Black artists in American opera with Cole Thomason-Redus from San Francisco Opera. Includes music samples and historical insights. 

Workshop: Mini-Collage Buttonmaking, Jan. 22, 5 p.m., Merced Branch 
Create unique collage buttons in this hands-on art workshop celebrating Black culture. For teens ages 13–18. 

Book Club: For Boys, Christopher Paul’s Bud, Not Buddy, Jan. 22, 6:45 p.m., West Portal Branch 
Discuss Christopher Paul Curtis’ classic about resilience and hope during the Great Depression. For boys ages 9–11 and their caregivers. 

Golden Gate Valley Library Book Circle, Jan. 28, 1 p.m., Golden Gate Valley Branch 
Join us to discuss James by Percival Everett, winner of multiple literary awards. 

Activity: Paper Kente Cloth Patterns, Jan. 28, 2 p.m., Portola Branch 
Learn about Ghanaian Kente cloth and create colorful geometric patterns out of paper. For children and caregivers. 

Film: This World Is Not My Own, Jan. 28, 3 p.m., Golden Gate Valley Branch 
Discover the life and art of Nellie Mae Rowe, a visionary artist who transformed her home into a vibrant creative space. 

Activity: Paper Airplane Flying, Jan. 29, 2:30 p.m., Sunset Branch 
Celebrate African American pioneers in aviation and test your own paper airplane designs. For ages 6 and older. 

Workshop: Storytelling 101 with Brother Ben, Jan. 31, 1:30 p.m., Potrero Branch 
Learn the art of storytelling through guided prompts and group exercises with storyteller Brother Ben. 

Workshop: Micro Art Gallery Miniature with Tammie Knight, Feb. 1, 2 p.m., Portola Branch 
Design your own miniature gallery space with artist Tammie Knight. Reservations required. 

Activity: Nigerian Snack Trials, Feb. 1, 3 p.m., Eureka Valley Branch 
Taste and rate popular Nigerian snacks in this fun culinary experience. Reservations required. 

Presentation: Contemporary Black Voices in American Opera, Feb. 3, 6 p.m., Virtual Library 
Explore the careers of emerging and established Black opera artists in this engaging online presentation. 

Book Club: World Literature, Gaël Faye’s Small Country, Feb. 5, 6 p.m., Virtual Library 
Discuss Gaël Faye’s award-winning novel set during the Rwandan genocide. 

Performance: Guitar Trifecta, Feb. 7, 1:30 p.m., Noe Valley Branch 
Enjoy a fusion of classical, jazz and R&B music from Lloyd Gregory, Carl Lockett and Eddie Pasternak. 

Craft Club, Faith Ringgold Paper Quilts, Feb. 7, 2 p.m., Sunset Branch 
Learn about artist Faith Ringgold and create paper quilts inspired by her work. 

Crochet Jam with Ramekon O’Arwisters, Feb. 7, 3:30 p.m., Richmond Branch 
Join a relaxing, hands-on art-making session focused on creativity and connection. 

Workshop: Ethiopian Music and Dance with Ada Kassaye, Feb. 8, 2 p.m., Ocean View Branch 
Experience Ethiopian music and dance traditions in this interactive workshop for young children. 

Workshop: Alma Thomas Painting, Feb. 8, 2:30 p.m., Parkside Branch 
Create colorful art inspired by Alma Thomas. For ages 5 and older. 

Workshop: African Fabric Beads, Feb. 8, 3 p.m., Eureka Valley Branch 
Make beautiful beads from African fabrics in this creative workshop. 

Film: The Queen of Katwe, Feb. 9, 3:30 p.m., Glen Park Branch 
Watch the inspiring true story of a Ugandan girl who becomes a chess champion. 

Film: Lady Sings the Blues, Feb. 12, 5 p.m., Potrero Branch 
Experience the powerful story of jazz legend Billie Holiday, starring Diana Ross. 

Film: Middle of Nowhere, Feb. 13, 2 p.m., Noe Valley Branch 
Ava DuVernay’s award-winning drama about love, identity and resilience. 

Performance: West African Music with Keenan D. Webster, Feb. 14, 11 a.m., Western Addition Branch 
Explore the roots of the banjo and West African musical traditions. 

Book Club: Friends of Dorothy, Feb. 15, 3:30 p.m., Eureka Valley Branch & Virtual 
Discuss Saeed Jones’ memoir How We Fight for Our Lives in this hybrid LGBTQIA+ book club. 

Workshop: City of Color, Feb. 17, 1 p.m., Excelsior Branch 
Create mixed-media collages celebrating Black history and culture in San Francisco. 

Film: The Inquisitor, Feb. 17, 3–5 p.m., Presidio Branch 
Preview the documentary on Barbara Jordan and join a post-screening discussion. 

Book Club: The Survivalists, Feb. 17, 7 p.m., Virtual Library 
Discuss Kashana Cauley’s sharp and witty debut novel about survival and identity. 

Film: BlacKkKlansman, Feb. 18, 5–7:15 p.m., Park Branch 
Spike Lee’s gripping true story of an undercover investigation into the KKK. 

Film: Coming to America, Feb. 18, 5:30 p.m., Main Library, Koret Auditorium, Lower Level 
Celebrate Eddie Murphy’s classic comedy about love and identity. 

Book Club: Ulloa Reading Corner, Feb. 18, 6 p.m., West Portal Branch 
Discuss Black Cake by Charmaine Wilkerson in this monthly book club. 

Activity: Anansi and the Power of Sharing Stories with Asé Arts, Feb. 19, 4 p.m., Main Library, Children’s Center, 2nd Floor 
Join Asé Arts for a family workshop inspired by Anansi the Spider and the magic of storytelling. 

Book Club: Junior Readers, Feb. 20, 4:15 p.m., Glen Park Branch 
Make a craft inspired by My Daddy Is a Cowboy and meet other young readers. 

Activity: Lonnie Johnson Invention Lab, Feb. 21, 11 a.m., Western Addition Branch 
Invent and create in this hands-on workshop inspired by NASA engineer Lonnie Johnson. 

Performance: Unique Derique, Feb. 21, 2 p.m., Eureka Valley Branch 
Enjoy laughter and circus-inspired fun with Unique Derique’s high-energy performance. 

Activity: Alma Thomas Read-Aloud and Craft, Feb. 21, 2:30 p.m., Noe Valley Branch 
Listen to a story about Alma Thomas and create art inspired by her colorful paintings. 

Performance: Destiny Muhammad, Feb. 21, 3 p.m., Visitacion Valley Branch 
Harpist Destiny Muhammad takes you on a musical journey from Africa to Alice Coltrane. 

Celebration: Muses and Melanin Graduation, Feb. 22, 12:30 p.m., Main Library, Latino/Hispanic Room, Lower Level 
Celebrate the 2026 cohort of the Muses & Melanin Fellowship with readings and a graduation ceremony. 

Activity: Button Making Famous Afro-Latinos, Feb. 22, 1 p.m., Main Library 
Create custom buttons featuring Afro-Latino icons in this bilingual workshop. 

Activity: Alma Thomas Collages, Feb. 22, 3 p.m., Sunset Branch 
Make colorful collages inspired by Alma Thomas’ vibrant art. 

Book Club: Genre Smoosh, Feb. 22, 3:30 p.m., Eureka Valley Branch & Virtual 
Discuss Claude McKay’s Romance in Marseille in this hybrid genre fiction book club. 

Workshop: TBBC Writer’s Salon, Feb. 23, 12 p.m., Main Library, Talking Books & Braille Center, 2nd Floor 
Share your favorite poems or stories in this inclusive salon for Blind and Low-Vision patrons. 

Workshop: Secret Garden, Feb. 24, 4 p.m., Merced Branch 
Learn about George Washington Carver and create your own secret garden. For ages 5 and older. 

Performance: African Music and Arts Village with Baba Shibambo, Feb. 24, 5 p.m., Park Branch 
Experience traditional African music and storytelling in this interactive performance. 

Film: Crash Course, Black American History, Feb. 26, 2:30 p.m., Sunset Branch 
Watch short videos highlighting key figures in Black American history. For ages 7 and older. 

Social: Longform Article Reading Club, Feb. 28, 11 a.m., Ortega Branch 
Discuss a thought-provoking longform article in this new monthly club for deep readers. 

Workshop: Everybody Cooks Rice, Featuring West African Jollof Rice, Feb. 28, 2 p.m., Ingleside Branch 
Cook and celebrate West African flavors with a hands-on jollof rice workshop. Reservations required. 

Presentation: Contemporary Black Voices in American Opera, Feb. 28, 2 p.m., Ocean View Branch 
Join SF Opera for an in-depth look at today’s leading Black opera artists.