LOS ANGELES, CA -- Our Authors Study Club, Inc. an organization that strives to make the world more aware of, more connected to, and more invested in the African American and the African diaspora experience, is excited to announce its collaboration with the LA County AC Bilbrew Library to celebrate Dr. Carter G. Woodson, the "Father" of Black History. This OASC “Conversations For Change” speakers event and Continental Breakfast marks the 108th anniversary of the founding of the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH) by Dr. Woodson. This event will be held at the AC Bilbrew Library, 150 E. El Segundo Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90061,  Saturday, September 16, 2023, from 10:30 AM to 12:30 PM and is free to the public. RSVP to vassie@oascla.org

The AC Bilbrew Library is named for an iconic Black woman who was a ground-breaking game-changer in her own right. However, she is almost forgotten, her impact in the music industry, the early suffragette movement and fight for children's services are barely noted. The same is true of the Black Resource Center. OASC's decision to partner with the AC Bilbrew Library for this important event reflects its commitment to bring Black history to the forefront. Through culture, scholarship, technology, and research, OASC aims to ignite conversations around the African and African American experience. 
 
Additionally, OASC strives to ensure that libraries, museums, schools, and media do not ignore Black lives. OASC firmly believes that Black History is not just a part of American history, but it is American history itself. The contributions of Black Americans and the caretakers of that history deserve recognition, amplification, and honor.
 

 
The event features two special guest speakers who represent LA County Library's finest. Librarians who are doing exceptional work in their communities and will share critical information about the programs and collections they work with. They are:

Daniel Hernandez, Chicano Resource Center Librarian: Serving for over 15 years. in this position, he is responsible for cultural programming, outreach, and management of the Center’s unique collection of materials on the Chicano Movement. As Chicano Resource Center librarian, he has produced over 200 cultural programs including the award winning Tell Your True Tale writer's workshop and the community-based Foto East LA. He is a seminal part of the LA County Library’s Immigration Task Force which develops services and programs for immigrant communities. Daniel Hernandez earned his Master’s in library and information Science in 2004 from San Diego State University. 

 

Crystal Hodges, Community Library Manager at Compton Library: Serving in this position at LA County Library for 5 years where she relocated from Texas, Ms. Hodges has a passion to push forward diversity, representation, and equity in libraries while providing the community, especially young Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC), with a new perspective for reading. During her employment with LA County Library, she’s annually assisted the Black Resource Center in systemwide Black History Month (BHM) programming such as: facilitating and moderating The Compton Cowboys: A Legacy of African Americans in Equine and Western Heritage, as well as Unspeakable: The Tulsa Race Massacre with Carole & Jeffery Boston Weatherford. Most recently, she was selected to lead the management, facilitation, and planning of LA County Library's participation in the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) national celebration of the 50th anniversary of hip-hop collaborating with over 40 organizations representing libraries, museums, colleges/universities, archives, and cultural institutions. 

Looking ahead, Our Authors Study Club is dedicated to continuing its mission of making the world more aware of the African American and the African diaspora experience. Through ongoing cultural events, educational initiatives, and collaborations, OASC aims to create more opportunities for everyone to engage with and learn from our rich history.
 
The event begins with a continental breakfast at 10:30 AM. The program will begin promptly at 11 AM.  There is free limited parking and street parking. RSVP to vassie@oascla.org

For more information about Our Authors Study Club, Inc., membership and its upcoming events, please visit https://oascla.org.
 

Links

AC Bilbrew Library: https://lacountylibrary.org/a-c-bilbrew-library/

Compton Library: https://lacountylibrary.org/compton-library/

ASALH:  www.ASALH.org to read the complete history of Dr. Carter G. Woodson

About the Black Resource Center

The Black Resource Center (BRC) was established as a special service of LA County Library in 1978 to serve the informational and educational needs of African Americans and the larger population by supporting research and study on social, historical, and cultural aspects unique to the African American experience. The Center serves as an information and referral agency to other libraries, government agencies and the general public. It is an important link in the survival and preservation of the heritage of African Americans. The Black Resource Center provides many services and activities that include In-depth reference service to specialized researchers and to the general public; Cultural awareness programs such as Juneteenth, Kwanzaa and Black History Month celebrations; Promotional materials and displays for programs and activities in support of African American heritage and multiculturalism; and Community outreach and networking with other organizations and institutions. For more information, visit https://lacountylibrary.org/black-resource-center/