Saturday, June 15 at 1:00 PM
This is an in-person event! Doors open at 12:30pm.
To commemorate Juneteenth, the African American Children’s Book Project (AACBP) is proud to present Juneteenth - Celebrating Literary and Artistic Freedom.
This special program, moderated by AACBP founder Vanesse J. Lloyd-Sgambati, will feature award winning author Olugbumisola Rhuday-Perkovich and documentary producer Donna Limerick. Together, they will explore the literary and artistic accomplishment of Black Americans since the Emancipation Proclamation and the life and legacy of Mae Reeves (1912-2016), a renowned hat designer, successful entrepreneur, and community advocate.
For over 50 years, women from all walks of life went to Mae's Millinery Shop in Philadelphia to buy her extravagant hats. Celebrity customers like Eartha Kitt, Lena Horne, Ella Fitzgerald, and Marion Anderson brought her international fame. Socialites from the DuPont, Kelly and Annenberg families numbered among her clients. She often made trips to New York and Paris to procure materials for her specialty, custom-made hats. Mae was one of the first Black women to own a store in downtown Philadelphia. She later purchased a second shop on 60th Street in West Philadelphia.
In 2009, the Smithsonian's National Museum of African American History and Culture acquired the contents of Mae's famous hat shop and created a permanent exhibit that includes furniture, a 50-year-old vintage hat collection, milliner's items, and photographs of the Philadelphia community.
The presentation will highlight Olugbumisola’s well-researched children’s picture book, Mae Makes A Way: The True Story Of Mae Reeves, Hat & History Maker. Donna, Mae’s daughter who worked with her mother and contributed to the book, will share personal insights into her mother's remarkable journey. She will also display and discuss some of Mae's famous hats.
Youth attendees will receive a free book (one per family while supplies last). The program will also include a youth book fair and a book signing.
The program is designed for both young readers and adults.
For more information, please call (215) 878-BOOK or email read@theafricanamericanchildrensbookproject.org.
