In February we celebrate the contributions of Black people. It is a time to reflect on the struggle for racial justice. 2021’s theme is “The Black Family: Representation, Identity, and Diversity,” chosen by the Association for the Study of African American Life and History.
Dr. Wesley Memeger, Jr., “Science Into Art”. This documentary hosted by Dr. Jeanne Nutter premieres on Wednesday, February 24, 7:00 p.m. on YouTube
Hagley Museum & Library will premiere a new documentary chronicling the life of Dr. Wesley Memeger, Jr.
Memeger, a long-time DuPont chemist at the Pioneering Research Laboratory, played a crucial role in streamlining the production of Kevlar by discovering a faster polymerization process. Memeger holds fourteen patents for his discoveries. In addition, he is an accomplished artist, taking inspiration from the geometric shapes found in molecular compounds.
The 40-minute documentary will premiere on YouTube at 7 p.m. on February 24 and will be hosted by Dr. Jeanne Nutter, Professor of Media Communications at Bloomfield College, an award-winning oral historian, and a long-time member of our church. We hope you can join us to celebrate Memeger’s many accomplishments spanning his career at DuPont. Click here to visit the Hagley website where a link to the video will be posted.
Organ Concert Celebrating Black History Month, streamed from St. Anne’s, Middletown, Friday, February 26, 7pm
Everyone is invited to attend this virtual concert. Guest musician R. Monty Bennett will play music of the Western Classical Tradition, Organ Music based on Spirituals & Hymns, then finish with Contemporary Organ Music from Africa. To view the concert, visit Saint Anne’s website or Facebook page.
Stories of Freedom & Justice – A Black History Month Celebration by the Choir School of Delaware, streamed from Grace Church, Wilmington, Sunday, February 28, 4:00 p.m.
One of Wilmington’s most anticipated annual Black History Month events, this program features poetry from authors of color, including Paul Lawrence Dunbar and Jacob Lawrence, set to music. Their stories of freedom and justice. Tickets are $25. Click here to learn more about the Choir School of Delaware’s program for Black History Month.
“The Black Church – This is Our Story. This is Our Song” on PBS this month
A two-part series about the 400-year history of the Black church in America, revealing its broad culture, its faith communities on the frontlines of hope and change, and its role as the focus of African-American survival and grace, organizing and resilience, thriving and testifying, autonomy and freedom, solidarity and speaking truth to power. Click here to learn more about this two-part Black Church presentation on PBS.
The Episcopal Church in Delaware is proud to recognize Black History Month.
Two Documentary Films: If you can, find and watch these two inspiring movies.
“My Name is Pauli Murray” is premiering at the 2021 Sundance Film Festival
A documentary about a Black, non-binary, writer, activist, lawyer, and priest who became California’s first Black deputy attorney general and the first Black woman to be ordained as an Episcopal priest. Justice Thurgood Marshall referred to Murray’s 1950 book States’ Laws on Race and Color as “the Bible for civil rights lawyers.”
“The Black Church – This is Our Story. This is Our Song” on PBS this month
A two-part series about the 400-year history of the Black church in America, revealing its broad culture, faith communities on the frontlines of hope and change, and its role as the site of African American survival and grace, organizing and resilience, thriving and testifying, autonomy and freedom, solidarity and speaking truth to power. More information
Did you know?
Absalom Jones was baptized at St. Peter’s, Lewes.
The Rev. Dr. Absalom Jones (November 7, 1746 – February 13, 1818) was born in Sussex County, Delaware. Legend holds that the Rev. Arthur Ussher, rector of St. Peter’s, Lewes, baptized Jones. The church’s chapel is dedicated in honor of blessed Absalom, Delaware’s Saint.
In 1794 Jones founded the first black Episcopal congregation, and in 1802, he was the first African American to be ordained a priest in the Episcopal Church. Liturgically, he is remembered on the date of his death, February 13, in the 1979 Book of Common Prayer as “Absalom Jones, Priest, 1818.” A biography of Absalom Jones is available in full on the website of The Historical Society of the Episcopal Church.
Diversity At SsAM
Books About Race, Race Relations, and Racial History – A Bibliography
