Taste Soul

Events

Resources

African American History Series

Let us help with your research.

Before enjoying one of our guest speakers take a tour of the Grand Rapids History & Special Collections Department on Level 4 of the Main Library. Our friendly and helpful staff will be offering tours on Tuesday nights in February at 6:30 pm. Learn what resources the Library offers and how we can help you with your project.

Creating a Family History

 

Donna Odom | Tuesday, February 2 | 7:00 pm
Ryerson Auditorium | Level 3 | Main Library

Donna Odom, President of the Southwest Michigan Black Heritage Society,, will present a workshop to help African Americans to create a family history. A family history covers the relationship of your ancestors and their lives and places it in the context of the social and economic history of the times they lived. This workshop will teach beginners to assess the scope of their project and learn techniques for gathering and presenting information from family photographs and documents.

Michigan's Abolitionist Army

 

Veta Tucker | Tuesday, February 9 | 7:00 pm
Ryerson Auditorium | Level 3 | Main Library

From the beginning of the 19th century, Michigan became a transit point for fugitives escaping from slavery. A network of safe houses, sanctuaries, and traveling escorts developed and gradually grew into a powerful Underground Railroad and Abolitionist Army. This Michigan network was so successful that their resistance was often cited in Congress as the debate raged for passing a new Fugitive Slave law. Professor Veta Smith Tucker will introduce the audience to the people and places involved in Michigan's stand against slavery.

I + We = Us: Preserving and Sharing African American History

 

Mary Edmond | Tuesday, February 16 | 7:00 pm
Ryerson Auditorium | Level 3 | Main Library

For over 30 years Mary Edmond.s personal mission has been to contribute to the awareness and understanding of African American history as an integral part of American history. This presentation is a result of her research and work to uncover African American history in the state of Michigan and right here in Grand Rapids. She will also share the results of her latest effort to research her own family genealogy.

Creative ways to Preserve Your Family History

 

Jennifer Morrison | Tuesday, February 23 | 7:00 pm
Ryerson Auditorium | Level 3 | Main Library

Learn a variety of tips and techniques useful for preserving and sharing family photos, stories, and memories. We will explore options that are both simple and involved, low- and high-tech. If this is something you've always wanted to do but struggled with, you will leave with some new ideas for approaching your project.