Largo, MD. – The Prince George’s County Memorial Library System (PGCMLS) and the Prince George’s County Human Relations Commission (PGCHRC) join with Montgomery, Alabama-based publisher NewSouth Books to present four events that explore figures, stories, and events in contemporary history that have shaped the trajectory of civil rights in the United States. This collaboration provides enriching educational experiences that advance an understanding of the critical issues of our time and our nation for Prince George’s County residents and viewers everywhere. PGCMLS and PGCHRC frequently collaborate for social equity and civil rights programming, and both organizations are grateful for the opportunity to partner with an important publisher that elevates authors whose work adds new perspectives to shared understandings of recent history. 

The series launches with four events between May and July 2021:

• C.T. Vivian’s “It’s in the Action” with Steve Fiffer May 4, 2021 at 7 pm ET
  Steve Fiffer, co-author of civil rights legend C.T. Vivian’s new memoir, “It’s In The Action: Memories of a Non-Violent Warrior,” joins Executive Director Renée Battle-Brooks of PGCHRC and Director Jim Stowe of the Montgomery County Office of Human Rights to discuss the late C.T. Vivian’s newly published memoir and expansive legacy.
  
  
• Steve Suitts on “Overturning Brown”
  May 17 th , 2021 at 7 pm
  Author Steve Suitts commemorates the anniversary of the Brown v Board of Education U.S. Supreme Court decision that desegregated schools with a discussion of his new book, “Overturning Brown: The Segregationist Legacy of the Modern School Choice Movement.”
  
  
• Christina Proenza-Coles on “American Founders”
  June 7, 2021 at 7 pm
  Author Christina Proenza-Coles joins us to talk about her new book, “American Founders: How People of African Descent Established Freedom in the New World,” a comprehensive, hemispheric study of Black people as the key protagonists in the story of American democracy.
  
  
• Ken Woodley on “The Road to Healing”
  July 14, 2021 – 7 pm
  Ken Woodley, author and former editor of the Farmville Herald, discusses “The Road To Healing: A Civil Rights Reparations Story in Prince Edward County, Virginia,” and how decisions made decades ago continue to reverberate today.

These events are open for all through live and on-demand viewing on YouTube and Facebook. Books are available for borrowing through PGCMLS at pgcmls.info or for purchase through Loyalty Bookstores at tinyurl.com/PGCMLSLoyalty.

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About the Prince George’s County Memorial Library System

The Prince George’s County Memorial Library System (PGCMLS) helps customers discover and define opportunities that shape their lives. The Library serves the 915,000+ residents of Prince George’s County, Maryland through 19 branch libraries, a 24/7 online library, and pop-up services throughout the community. PGCMLS is a responsive and trusted community-driven organization. Programs, services, and outreach activities serve booklovers, immigrants and refugees, job seekers, children, young professionals, seniors, and families alike.

PGCMLS’ robust online offerings include curated content collections for kids, teens, educators, Spanish speakers, and more. Virtual events and outreach provide access to the Library from the comfort of home or on the go. Special programs include the D.R.E.A.M. Lab, STEM Pals, and 3D printing, which offer teens and lifelong learners with opportunities to learn cutting-edge technology and STEM skills for job readiness or personal enrichment. The Library also provides drive-up WiFi access at all branches and mobile hotspot devices. The Library’s Laurel Branch Library received the 2018 AIA/ALA Library Building Award and was designated the best new public building in Maryland.

As a strong community partner, the Library regularly collaborates with local government agencies and non-profit organizations to provide access to essential community services and programs. Partners include the Prince George’s County Human Relations Commission, Employ Prince George’s, Prince George’s County Public Schools, and Prince George’s Community College. Learn more at pgcmls.info or by visiting the Largo-Kettering Branch at 9601 Capital Lane, Largo, MD 20721 Phase 2 Limited Six-Branch Reopening updates available here. New Phase 2 Library hours are Tuesday, Thursday and Friday (1-6 pm), Wednesday (1-8 pm) and Saturday (1-5 pm) with the exception of Baden. Baden Branch hours (Wednesday-Thursday 2-6 pm and Friday 11 am-2 pm) remain the same.

About the Prince George’s County Human Relations Commission (Office of Human Rights)

The Prince George’s County Human Relations Commission (Office of Human Rights) is the County’s civil and human rights education and enforcement agency. Charged with ending discrimination for all who live, work, and play in Prince George’s County, PGCHRC works to eradicate acts of discrimination, hate, bias, and violence through its five pillars: 1) investigation – conducting thorough investigation of complaints of discrimination and providing training on human and civil rights to employers and residents alike; 2) Human Trafficking – spearheading the County’s response to human trafficking through the Prince George’s County Human Trafficking Task Force, (which focuses on preventing and eradicating human trafficking in Prince George’s County); 3) Language Access -  managing the Language Access Program ensuring (county agencies are in compliance with language access legislation and providing equal access to) county residents have equal access in the language (in which those residents are) most comfortable; 4) ISLA-CAIR program - overseeing a program that provides representation to county residents under threat of deportation; and  5) Outreach – creating and providing meaningful community-building programming aimed at developing understanding across diverse peoples.

Learn more about the Prince George’s County Human Relations Commission by visiting civilrights.mypgc.us or by calling 301-883-6170.

About New South Books

NewSouth, Inc., is an Alabama-based book publishing company co-owned by partners Randall Williams and Suzanne La Rosa. NewSouth’s roots go back to 1984, when Williams proposed to a few other writers a concept for a cooperative that would be called the Black Belt Communications Group. In 1986, BBCG came into being as a publisher of magazines, newspapers, and newsletters. In 1989, BBCG, Inc., began publishing books under the Black Belt Press imprint. By 1996, Black Belt Press was the state’s leading independent publisher of Southern fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and folklore. In 1998, Williams recruited publishing veteran Suzanne La Rosa, who joined Black Belt Press as publisher.

In 2000, Williams and La Rosa became partners and renamed BBCG, Inc., as NewSouth, Inc. They launched NewSouth as a new independent publishing house specializing in regional books of national interest. NewSouth’s world headquarters are in historic downtown Montgomery, in a 1960s-era building formerly known as the Montgomery Shoe Factory. Williams and La Rosa changed the sign on the front to Montgomery Book Factory, kept the boot on top of the two-story building, and installed a bookstore on the first floor where there was retail space. The bookstore sells both new and used books and specializes in the same categories of books that the company publishes.