SYRACUSE, N.Y. (NCC News) – At the Beauchamp Branch Library on the South Side of Syracuse, Black History Month isn’t just a display of books on the wall. It’s a living, evolving effort to preserve stories, celebrate identity and make history accessible to the community.
Throughout February, the branch is hosting a series of programs led by African American community members, each focused on exploring and honoring Black history.
Branch Manager Trudi Antoine said the goal is to show that Black history is not separate from American history, but an essential part of it.
“Black history is the story of African American people in America, and it’s just as important because that is the natural part of history,” Antoine said. “It’s a big part of what people should know about American history… Black history is really as valuable as any other type of history, especially when it comes to this country.”
The Barner-McDuffie House is a dedicated space at Syracuse University that celebrates the Black student experience and fosters community. Its dedication to celebrating Black History is one quite similar to Beauchamp’s.
For Alexandra Vassel, a junior who sits on the Barner-McDuffie Student Team, remembering black history serves as a reminder of pride and identity.
“I believe Black History Month is just really good for us to remember who we are as a people,” Vassel said. “We are the innovative ones, we are the creative ones, and we are the ones who stand up tall and show the world what we can do.”
Antoine said that while books and archives help preserve the past, libraries also serve as places where new stories are created.
“A lot of historical moments, I believe, are made in libraries,” she said.
And at Beauchamp, that history isn’t just stored on shelves, it’s made accessible to anyone who walks in. Through curated displays, community-led programs and a commitment to representation, the branch is using Black History Month to connect people with the stories that shaped Syracuse and the nation.
For more information about the library’s upcoming events, go to their Facebook page.