JMRL is hosting a variety of virtual events in celebration of Black History Month.

On Thursday, February 11 at 7pm, JMRL invites the community to hear Claudrena Harold, Professor of History at UVA, discuss her latest book When Sunday Comes: Gospel Music in the Soul and Hip-Hop Eras.

This book serves as an exploration of gospel music’s place as an outlet for African American spiritual and cultural expression and its enduring role in the fight for civil rights and social justice.

Professor Harold will also highlight themes of her book through a discussion of the 2016 documentary Mavis!, the incredible story of Mavis Staples, gospel/soul singer, actress and civil rights activist.

“JMRL is honored to welcome Professor Harold as we examine and celebrate the grandeur of gospel music and its indelible power to instigate change,” said Evan Stankovics, Adult Programming Librarian at Northside Library.

To participate in this virtual event, you can:

1.) Watch the documentary Mavis! (2016, 80min) available to stream for free at https://jmrl.kanopy.com with a JMRL Library card. Create a free account with your JMRL Library card and start streaming today! Don’t have a card? Sign up for one online.
2.) Sign up for the virtual Zoom discussion (on February 11) by Claudrena Harold, Professor of History at UVA. Professor Harold will discuss her latest work When Sunday Comes: Gospel Music in the Soul and Hip-Hop Eras and its relationship to the above-mentioned documentary.

This virtual discussion can be accessed both by Zoom online and by a toll-free phone number. Register at www.jmrl.org or call 434.973.7893 x3.

For more information, visit jmrl.org.