Events › Black History Month 100-Year Commemoration Kick-Off

The San José Public Library invites the community to a special kickoff event celebrating Black History Month and honoring 100 years of Black history, culture, resilience, and achievement. The event will feature remarks by City Librarian Jill Bourne, District 3 Councilmember Anthony Tordillos, and a conversation with educator Khristel Johnson.

The event is free and open to the public. It will take place in the Digital Humanities Center on the first floor of the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Library.

Plan Ahead

We recommend planning ahead and allowing extra time when traveling to the King Library. Road closures and traffic changes may impact travel in downtown San José.

About Khristel Johnson

Johnson is known for her three-dimensional tapestries that blend African fabrics, beadwork, and sculptural

elements. Her work centers Black history and storytelling, highlighting narratives often absent from traditional history books. Through texture, color, and form, Johnson’s art connects past and present while honoring a lasting legacy of Black excellence.