7th National Conference of African American Librarians Special Events

Thursday, August 5

Dr. Terrence Roberts, serves
as co-chair of the Masters of
Arts Program at Antioch College
Los Angeles, CA and is the
desegregation consultant to the
Little Rock School District

2:00 pm - 4:00 pm

Opening General Session with Dr. Terrence Roberts.

A member of the "Little Rock Nine", the group of African American high school students who successfully integrated Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas in 1957. Dr Roberts is a civil rights activist and the CEO of Terrence J. Roberts & Associates, a management consultant firm devoted to fair and equitable practices. Roberts was awarded the prestigious Spingarn Medal by the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) in 1958. In 1999, he was awarded the nation's highest civilian award, the Congressional Gold Medal.

Film Screening 1- “More Than a Bus Ride”

The true story of the Montgomery Bus Boycott and the impact of the Browder v Gayle lawsuit that ended segregated seating on intra-city buses and ultimately destroyed the remaining vestiges of Jim Crow Segregation in the United States of America.

8:00 pm - 10:00 pm

Film Screening 2 - "Hollywood Librarian"

The first full-length documentary film to focus on the work and lives of librarians. Dozens of interviews of real librarians interwoven with movie clips of cinematic librarians serve as transitions between the themes of censorship, intellectual freedom, children and librarians, pay equity and funding issues, and the value of reading.

Friday, August 6

Authors Luncheon I

12:00 - 2:00 pm

Kim Waynans & Kevin Knotts, authors of a series of children's books about interracial children and the everyday challenges they face.

Wayans is an actress and writer from New York City. Kevin Knotts is an actor/writer from Oklahoma. This husband and wife writing team lives in Los Angeles.

6:30 pm - 9:00 pm

Gee's Bend Quilt Exhibition

Live Music

Spoken Word

Gospel Mime

Refreshments

Fun & Networking

Welcome Reception - Birmingham Public Library

Saturday, August 7

Authors Luncheon II

Bryant Terry, an eco chef,
food justice activist, and author
of critically acclaimed Vegan Soul
Kitchen (VSK): Fresh Healthy,
and Creative African American
Cuisine.

12:00 - 2:00 pm

Bryant Terry is a former fellow of the Food and Society Policy Fellows Program, a national project of the W.K. Kellogg Foundation. He helped elevate cooking as an important tool for organizing and base building in the food justice movement.

His interest in a more just sustainable food system and Community Health can be traced back to his childhood in Memphis, Tennessee, where his grandparents inspired him to grow, prepare, and appreciate good food.

You Don't Know Me
Reflections of My Father,
Ray Charles is written by
Ray Charles Robinson, Jr
. and Mary Jane Ross

The son of legendary performer Ray Charles,
Ray Charles Robinson, Jr. will reflect on the public and private life of his famous father at Saturday's luncheon.

4:00 pm - 6:00 pm

Birmingham Civil Rights Institute

16th Street Baptist Church

Kelly Ingram Park

Birmingham Historic District Tour

6:30 pm - 10:00 pm

President's Gala - BCALA Awards Ceremony

BCALA will honor outstanding colleaques during this festive dinner party.

Sunday, August 8

8:30 - 11:00 am

Closing Breakfast with CNN's Roland S. Martin

Award winning journalist, author and political pundit will offer his engaging and unique perspective on the issues confronting African Americans in the 21st Century. He was named one of the “most influential African Americans in the United States” for two consecutive years in 2008 and 2009 by Ebony magazine for his contributions to print, television and radio media. Mr. Martin is currently a syndicated columnist and host of the TV One Cable Network Sunday morning show “Washington Watch with Roland S. Martin”.