Interest: African American Interest
Town Hall Anti-Racism Series: Youth Empowerment and Radical Imagination
Published: July 13, 2020
Join YDL Storytme presenter Kristen Hamilton and Kekere Freedom School to learn about anti-racism.
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Graphic Novels for Kids and Teens by BIPOC Authors
Graphic novels for kids and teens by BIPOC authors.
Town Hall Anti-Racism Series: The Power of Stories
Published: July 8, 2020
Join YDL Storytme presenter Kristen Hamilton and Kekere Freedom School to learn about anti-racism.
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Race Relations
Book lists, movies, and activities for all ages to increase understanding about race.
Service
Documentaries on Police Brutality and Race Relations
Published: June 9, 2020
This is a collection of documentaries available on Hoopla that focus on specific events and ideas surrounding police brutality and race relations.
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Black Lives Matter
It’s important for all kids to see books with characters of all colors who are just kids being kids, as well as stories of empowered, successful black people. Here are a few of our recently published favorites.
Anti-Racism Book List for Adults
Published: June 4, 2020
The following books are available through YDL’s digital collections:Abu-Jamal, Mumia | Have Black Lives Ever Mattered? ebook on HooplaAlexander, Michelle | The New Jim Crowebook on HooplaAnderson, William & Zoe Samudzi | As Black as Resistance: Finding the Conditions for Liberationebook on HooplaCoates, Ta-Nehisi | Between the World and Meebook and eaudio on OverdriveDavis, Angela | Freedom is a Constant Struggle: Ferguson, Palestine, and the Foundations of a Movementeaudio on Hoopla, ebook on OverdriveDiAngelo, Robin | White Fragility: Why it’s So Hard for White People to Talk About Racismebook & eaudio on OverdriveDunbar-Ortiz, Roxanne | An Indigenous Peoples’ History of …
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Covid-19 and Racial Health Disparities
Published: April 21, 2020
Covid19 has shined a light on racial health disparities. Find out more information.
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Family Read Ypsi History Geocache Scavenger Hunt
Published: October 8, 2019
Ready to go on an adventure? Get a chance to explore historical Ypsilanti on the Family Read scavenger hunt! Collect all 6 tokens to win a special prize.
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Picture Books by African American Authors
Great books for kids ages 2-9 by African American authors. This collection ranges from being published a while ago to only several years ago. With a range of styles and topics, you’re sure to find something that you love.
Ypsilanti’s historic African American community
Published: February 6, 2018
Did you know that after the Civil War Ypsilanti had one of the largest African American populations in Michigan? Members of this well-organized community lived through the Jim Crow era, fought racism during World War II, and led the local Civil Rights movement. You can explore their stories through the A.P. Marshall African American Oral History Archive. A.P. Marshall was a local historian who sought to preserve the stories of Ypsilanti’s African American community and did so by recording numerous oral history interviews in the 1980s. The interviews are now available online, with each one featuring a biography of the …
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Homegoing
Stretching from the tribal wars of Ghana to slavery and Civil War in America, from the coal mines in the north to the Great Migration to the streets of 20th century Harlem, Yaa Gyasi’s has written a modern masterpiece, a novel that moves through histories and geographies and–with outstanding economy and force–captures the troubled spirit of our own nation.
Inside the Racial Justice Discussion series
Published: December 28, 2017
La’Ron Williams Fully titled “Safely talking and learning about race and racism,” the series has brought hundreds of people to the library to watch films and hold open, honest conversations in a safe and supportive environment. What began as a short-term partnership between YDL and the Interfaith Council for Peace and Justice is now in its third year. YDL asked facilitator and moderator La’Ron Williams about the intention and impact of these discussions. YDL: What motivated the start of this series? La’Ron Williams: In a nutshell, the racial climate about two years ago was one in which there were heightened …
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Ancestry
A large collection of census, vital, military, and immigration records for genealogy research. ***Remote access to Ancestry has ended. You will again have to use a library computer to access the database.***
A.P. Marshall African American Oral History Project
A collection of interviews of Ypsilanti residents who lived through the Jim Crow era, fought racism during WWII, and led the local Civil Rights movement.