Dave Chappelle buddy Talib Kweli is part of Delaware Black History Month celebration
What does comedian Dave Chappelle's friend Talib Kweli and "Wakanda Forever" actress Angela Bassett's husband both have in common this year?
Both are joining Wilmington Public Library's lineup of high-profile guests for Black History Month throughout February.
The program "Still I Rise" is free to the public and includes Talib Kweli, Courtney B. Vance (Bassett's husband), Ben Crump, Amanda Seales, Jesmyn Ward, Sonia Sanchez and Robin Smith.
Seating is limited and first-come, first-served. The only event that requires registration is the one with Courtney B. Vance and Robin Smith on Sunday, Feb. 18. (Registration for that event opens at 9 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 18.)
Here's a preview for each guest speaker in the "Still I Rise" program:
Who is Jesmyn Ward?
The one and only Oprah Winfrey selected author Jesmyn Ward's new novel "Let Us Descend" as her 103rd Book Club Pick last fall.
Ward's new book "is a reimagining of American slavery as beautifully rendered as it is heart-wrenching," per the book's synopsis on Amazon.
"Searching, harrowing, replete with transcendent love, the novel is a journey from the rice fields of the Carolinas to the slave markets of New Orleans and into the fearsome heart of a Louisiana sugar plantation," the synopsis continued.
Ward's appearance at Wilmington Public Library (10 E. 10th St., Wilmington) is Thursday, Feb. 1. Admission is free. Visit wilmington.lib.de.us or (302) 571-7400.
Who is Amanda Seales?
Best known for playing the role of Tiffany DuBois on HBO's dramedy "Insecure," Amanda Seales also juggles being a comedian, writer, producer and more. She has a habit of tackling serious topics (police brutality, rape culture, sexism) with humor and wit. Seales, according to her bio, earned her master's degree from Columbia University.
Amanda Seales' appearance at Wilmington Library is on Wednesday, Feb. 7
Who is Talib Kweli and Sonia Sanchez?
Renowned activist, poet and educator Sonia Sanchez, 89, has written over a dozen books and served as the Laura Carnell Chair in English at Temple University. She's a founder of the Blacks Arts Movement during the 1960s. Sanchez falls into a special subcategory of Wilmington Library guests who are living legends like Black Panther activist Angela Davis and poet Nikki Giovanni.
Meanwhile, Talib Kweli is a socially conscious emcee who began making noise in the '90s underground rap scene. He's part of the duo Black Star with actor/rapper Mos Def (Yasiin Bey) and has worked with a number of major artists like Jay-Z ("Get By Remix"), Ye (formerly Kanye West) and Mary J Blige ("I Try").
Comedian Dave Chappelle, Bey, and Kweli have a podcast together titled "The Midnight Miracle." The rappers were also been featured in their friend Chappelle's 2005 film "Dave Chappelle's Block Party."
Talib Kweli and Sonia Sanchez's appearance at Wilmington Library is on Thursday, Feb. 8.
Who is Ben Crump?
Civil rights lawyer Ben Crump was previously scheduled to attend Wilmington Library as part of HBCU Week last September, but that date got pushed back after the stars didn't align. Crump is famous for taking on high-profile cases involving police-involved killings of Black people. He's represented the families of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and Trayvon Martin.
Ben Crump's appearance at Wilmington Library is on Monday, Feb. 12.
Who is Misty Copeland?
Acclaimed dancer Misty Copeland gained national attention in 2015 when she made history as the first Black principal dancer with American Ballet Theatre. A year before securing that accolade, President Obama appointed Copeland to the President’s Council on Fitness, Sports, and Nutrition.
Misty Copeland's appearance at Wilmington Library is on Tuesday, Feb. 13.
Courtney B. Vance and Robin Smith
Actor and producer Courtney B. Vance has a resume that's longer than a Super Bowl half-time break. The husband of actress Angela Bassett had one of his most memorable roles alongside Denzel Washington and Whitney Houston in "The Preacher's Wife."
Robin Smith is a licensed psychologist and ordained minister who has appeared on "The Oprah Winfrey Show."
Smith and Vance will close out the library's Black History Month program with a "Soulfood Sunday Brunch" event on Sunday, Feb. 18.
The "Still I Rise" Black History Month engagements are at Wilmington Public Library (10 E. 10th St., Wilmington). Admission is free. Times are TBA. Visit wilmington.lib.de.us, Facebook.com/WilmingtonLibraryDE or (302) 571-7400.
If you have an interesting story idea, email lifestyle reporter Andre Lamar at [email protected]. Consider signing up for his weekly newsletter, DO Delaware, at delawareonline.com/newsletters.
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This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Chappelle friend Talib Kweli is Delaware bound for Black History Month
