By Mary A. Crisafulli
DELHI - The Cannon Free Library celebrated the start of Black History Month by hosting a performance by West African Drummer Zorkie Nelson on Feb. 3.
The event was an interactive percussion performance. Having studied music since age seven, Nelson has many talents including being a master percussionist, flute player, and vocalist specializing in the Ga cultural tradition. Nelson is from the West African city of Accra in the Republic of Ghana.
Lynn Dennis, library youth services director, is responsible for organizing the event.
Dennis secured a grant from W.I.D.E. (Women for Inclusion, Diversity, and Equality). W.I.D.E. offers book grants to teachers and librarians to purchase stories about or written by historically marginalized populations. W.I.D.E. Co-founder Jenine Osbon said Dennis chose the books she hoped to offer for free, which aligned with W.I.D.E. guidelines. "For this event, to celebrate Black History Month, the books focused on the different stories of various black figures, fiction, and nonfiction, and their struggle to overcome inequality and triumph in the face of adversity," said Osbon. Books offered to families included "Moses: When Harriet Tubman Led Her People to Freedom" by Carol Boston Weatherford and Kadir Nelson, "Little Melba and Her Big Trombone" by Katheryn Russell-Brown, "New Kid" by Jerry Craft, and "Nana Akua Goes To School" by Tricia Elam Walker. Twenty books were donated to the library.
For teachers or librarians looking to apply for W.I.D.E. grants, visit wideny.org and click grants. For questions or information contact WIDEnewyork@gmail.com.
For more Cannon Free Library events visit libraries.4cls.org/delhi/
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