Melaninated Marvels At Cavalry Hill Public Library

In the month of February, Cavalry Hill Public Library created the program Melaninated Marvels to help fill a gap in the history being taught about Huntsville.

“A lot of times in history, we see the same few black people, but there are a lot of others who did some great stuff and didn’t get famous for it,” says Courtney Braggs, Branch Manager at Cavalry Hill Public Library. “It’s limiting to only acknowledge a few when so many have done things for you right here.”

Cavalry Hill Public Library hosted the event series Melaninated Marvels to honor the history of black excellence in STEM, literature, and the arts – both on a large scale and right here in Huntsville, Alabama. Melaninated Marvels was a great success – not only did the event exceed attendance goals, but it also saw people from multiple communities and demographics coming together to learn about these Marvels.

“As I was thinking about this program, I looked at the community. I’m a problem solver at heart, and I see things that are missing and gaps that need to be filled.” And the issue? “A lot of these children don’t know about their own history.”

Because of that issue, Braggs was careful to spotlight several Marvels from North Alabama, including Dr. Mae Jemison and Sonnie Hereford, using themes such as Trailblazers and Firsts as well as Breaking Barriers to show how progress can happen in your own city. Each week, attendees were introduced to two or three Marvels through various media, from speeches to art pieces and songs, helping showcase the scope of influential black voices. Activities and discussions pushed all to see what they could take and apply to their own life and encouraged them to share what inspired them about these stories.

“I didn’t want to offer them just another boring history lesson,” says Braggs. “I wanted to give them a variety of ways to learn about some really amazing things that allow you to live a comfortable life today.”

This event was made to be accessible to all, with care put into the organization so that anyone could learn and be heard. Braggs, who has worked with special populations for years, included options for attendees to share their thoughts through writing instead of speaking if they were uncomfortable, and included several different sections of the event so that there would be something for everyone to connect to. The event series saw people of all ages coming and learning together, and now Braggs hopes to invite some local Marvels to speak at additional monthly events.

These stories and historical figures are not just for one population, Braggs says, but can inform us all on how to live our lives. “Everyone who’s anyone can break a barrier, and it starts with you.”