For the second year in a row, the Russellville Public Library has made a concerted effort to recognize February as Black History Month. Library director Ashley Cummins started the library’s annual observance last year because she wanted to provide the community with a way to recognize and celebrate the month.

Cummins said her friend and local event planner/comedian Tammy West helped on both occasions and hopes to continue their efforts every year.

“It’s about getting the community to be more aware and know that it’s not just a black thing to know about the history and be involved,” West said.

The program Feb. 17 started at 10 a.m. and ended about 3 p.m. Charles Wood, outreach coordinator with the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, attended the event to lead a couple of games and speak about famous black figures in history as well as some “unsung heroes” the general public doesn’t know much about.

“My goal is to spark a mind and send them on their own journey,” Wood said.

He said he likes to talk about a wide variety of topics – not just civil rights and slavery – because there is a “glorious history that predates slavery” and so much more to know than what the history books tell.

Games like Freedom Feud and Black History Jeopardy were youth-focused, like much of the work that Wood does when he travels and speaks at events.

“I like working with kids because their minds are so open, and they ask questions,” Wood said. “My job is great because I get to reach out to them where they’re at, and I get to talk to them about the immense amount of power that they have even as children.”

It was a successful event in the eyes of West and Cummins, who both said that they gleaned a lot of information from Wood and were impressed by the children who got involved.

“I’m big on outreach, and what better way to do that than through the library? I’ve always been about unity, and I hope this program does that for this community,” West said.

West also provided food for the event and will be showcasing some of her art at the library, as well.