Black History Celebration

Friday, February 21 – Sunday, February 23

Experience a weekend-long celebration of Black history and culture featuring special guests from our community! From local leaders to global trailblazers, we’ll explore the vibrant narratives of Black-identified individuals who have shaped and continue to shape history. Join us daily for curated hands-on activities, book readings, artist spotlights, performances and more!
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All Black History Celebration experiences are free with the cost of admission.

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Madam C.J. Walker

Madam C.J. Walker was the first African American woman to become a millionaire. In the early 1900s, she built a thriving business as the president of her own company, creating beauty and hair care products that empowered women and transformed the industry.

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Lonnie Johnson

Aerospace Engineer Lonnie Johnson is best known for inventing the Super Soaker water gun, which became a best-selling toy and was inducted into the National Toy Hall of Fame in 2015.

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Mae Jemison

Mae Jemison made history as the first African American woman astronaut to travel to space. In 1988, she became the first African American woman to complete NASA's training program and later flew aboard the Endeavour in 1992.

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Jean-Michel Basquiat

The legendary Jean-Michel Basquiat remains one of the most influential American artists of the 20th century. His groundbreaking work fused abstract art, graffiti, poetry and political commentary, cementing his status as a cultural icon.

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Garrett Morgan

Did you know Garrett Morgan invented the three-position traffic light? After witnessing a crash at a busy intersection, he used his ingenuity to improve the design, shaping the traffic signals we rely on today.

Featured Experiences

Puppet Place: Cardboard Historical Society

Friday, February 21 • 9:30 am and 2:30 pm

Sunday, February 23 • 9:30 am and 3:30 pm

Celebrate Black history through puppetry during Puppet Place! Featuring Aretha Franklin, Jesse Owens, Rosa Parks and many more, get ready for a very special presentation by the Cardboard Historical Society and discover the stories of legendary Black American musicians, artists and activists – then bring them to life by creating your own bas-relief rod puppets!

Author Reading with Gabriele Davis

Saturday, February 22 • 11:30 am

Join author Gabriele Davis for a heartwarming story time as she reads two of her recently published picture books! She’ll share Peaches, a sweet tale of family, love and peach cobbler and Our Joyful Noise, a musical celebration of togetherness. After the reading, keep the rhythm going with a hands-on maraca-making activity and Q&A. Don’t miss this joyful mix of stories, music and creativity!

Book Besties Special Guest: Pastor Giles

Saturday, February 22 • 2:30 pm

Join Norwalk’s own Rev. Carleton J. Giles for a heartwarming story time filled with inspiration and community spirit! Don’t miss this special storytelling experience with a dedicated community leader.

Book Besties Special Guest: CT State Rep. Travis Simms

Sunday, February 23 • 9:30 am

Hear inspiring stories read by Connecticut State Representative, Travis Simms of Norwalk! Don’t miss this special storytelling experience with a dedicated community leader.