The Friends of the Broward County African America Research Library & Cultural Center (AARLCC; formerly Friends of the Von D. Mizell Library) is an organization whose membership is the lifeblood of library support. Within the scope of its mission, the Friends of the Broward County AARLCC advocates for library services, and provides resources to support library programs.
The members of the Friends are people of all ages from all walks of life who represent all of the communities of Broward County and beyond. These “ordinary “ people work with the library administration in “building bridges” to develop and maintain youth and adult services for the community. They give of their time and special skills in support of library projects and activities that support the mission of the library. They also raise funds to support library programs, staff development and appreciation.
Each Friend serves as a public relations instrument for the library by increasing the public’s awareness of the library and its services. As we move forward to strengthen our advocacy efforts, increase contributions, face challenges, and utilize opportunities to meet the needs of the library, you are invited to become a Friend.
WE ARE ADVOCATES, WE ARE SUPPORTERS! – Join us today
UPCOMING FRIENDS EVENTS
What’s Happening at AARLCC?
Alcee Hastings: A Legacy of Service in Florida and Beyond
Every day: All day
African American Research Library and Cultural Center – Gallery D
Age group: Tweens Teens New Adults Kids Families
event type: Exhibit
New Alcee Hastings CollectionUnearth a Story – African Tales & Music with Windell Campbell
Thursday, July 02: 10:30am – 11:30am
African American Research Library and Cultural Center – Auditorium
Age group: Tweens Toddlers
event type: Summer Learning Program, Performances – Dance, Concerts & Theater, Arts & Cultural
Unearth a story with Windell Campbell! Experience African tales, music, and rhythm that bring folklore, courage, and culture to life for youth of all ages.
2026 Dr. Niara Sudarkasa Memorial Scholarship – Open to Graduate Students
Monday, July 06: All day unit 8/21/2026
African American Research Library and Cultural Center
Age group: Adults
event type: Information Table/Grab & Go
The award supports graduate students pursuing advanced research in anthropology, Africana/African American studies, African diaspora, educational leadership, or related fields. Deadline: 8/21/2026
Creative Expressions Presented by The Color Bubble – A Youth Art Series Celebrating Art, Culture & Creativity
Monday, July 06: 1:00pm – 2:30pm
African American Research Library and Cultural Center – Gallery B
Age group: Tweens Teens Kids
event type: Workshop, Summer Learning Program, Arts & Cultural
Join us for summer art! In this six-week series, participants will explore art, culture & creativity in hands-on workshops.
Register
Crochet Club for Tweens & Teens: Stitch & Dig Dinosaurs – Stitch, Create, Explore: Dino Fun for Teens
Tuesday, July 07: 3:30pm – 4:30pm
African American Research Library and Cultural Center – Gallery B
Age group: Tweens Teens
event type: Summer Learning Program, Arts & Cultural
Join our Crochet Club for Youth: Stitch & Dig Dinosaurs: Learn beginner crochet skills while creating fun dinosaur-themed projects.
Register
ASPIRE College Readiness Mentorship Program – ASPIRE Parents: Help Your Teen Get College Ready
Tuesday, July 07: 4:30pm – 5:30pm
AARLCC ASPIRE Academy VIRTUAL Interest Meeting – A FREE COLLEGE PREP PROGRAM – Zoom Virtual Meeting – Zoom Virtual Meeting
Age group: Teens Adults
event type: Workshop, Ready for College, Online/Virtual, Discussion/Lecture, Class
ASPIRE Academy helps students build the confidence, knowledge, and support system they need to navigate the college-going process with purpose. ASPIRE Parents
Venue detailsThis is part of the Ready for College: College Readiness Workshop series. Workshops are presented in partnership with local experts, The Scholarship Plug. Questions about this program can be directed to Libraries Community Engagement by email to communityengagement@
College Admissions: Everything You Need to Know
Learn how to navigate the college admissions process, stand out to top schools, and make informed decisions about high school choices, extracurriculars, and building a strong college list.
Register
HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL II – Evolutionary Arts Life Foundation
Wednesday, July 08: 7:00pm – 8:30pm
African American Research Library and Cultural Center
Age group: Teens New Adults Kids Families
event type: Performances – Dance, Concerts & Theater, Arts & Cultural
The Evolutionary Arts Life Foundation invites you to a spectacular performance of High School Musical 2
Register
ASPIRE College Readiness Mentorship Program – ASPIRE Academy VIRTUAL Interest Meeting-A FREE COLLEGE PREP
Thursday, July 09: 11:00am – 12:00pm
AARLCC ASPIRE Academy VIRTUAL Interest Meeting – A FREE COLLEGE PREP PROGRAM – Zoom Virtual Meeting – Zoom Virtual Meeting
Age group: Teens Adults
event type: Workshop, Ready for College, Online/Virtual, Discussion/Lecture, Class
ASPIRE Academy helps students build the confidence, knowledge, and support system they need to navigate the college-going process with purpose.
Venue detailsASPIRE Academy VIRTUAL Interest Meeting-A FREE COLLEGE PREP
ASPIRE Interest Meeting
Register
Beyond the Pattern: An Experimental Embroidery Workshop – By Hued Songs
Saturday, July 11: 2:00pm – 4:00pm
African American Research Library and Cultural Center – Michael Bienes Seminar Room #2
Age group: Everyone
event type: Class
Explore freedom through thread, texture, and imagination in this hands-on experimental embroidery workshop.
Register
Canvas Painting – Beneath the Brush Dinosaur Painting Lab
Saturday, July 11: 2:00pm – 3:00pm
African American Research Library and Cultural Center – Youth Service Story Room
Age group: Tweens Teens
event type: Summer Learning Program, Arts & Cultural
Join the Canvas Dinosaurs Painting Lab to paint dinosaur-themed canvases as a family while exploring “Underneath a Story” through fossils, discovery, and creativity.
Register
Southeast Regional Behavioral Health Interagency Meeting – Foster Community Partnerships and Enhancing Quality of Care
Monday, July 13: 10:30am – 12:30pm
African American Research Library and Cultural Center – Auditorium
Age group: New Adults Everyone Adults
event type: Outreach, Health & Wellness, Discussion/Lecture
A collaborative meeting hosted by the Department of Children and Families (Substance Abuse and Mental Health) to address opportunities for improving Florida’s behavioral health system.
Register
Creative Expressions Presented by The Color Bubble – A Youth Art Series Celebrating Art, Culture & Creativity
Monday, July 13: 1:00pm – 2:30pm
African American Research Library and Cultural Center – Gallery B
Age group: Tweens Teens Kids
event type: Workshop, Summer Learning Program, Arts & Cultural
Join us for summer art! In this six-week series, participants will explore art, culture & creativity in hands-on workshops.
PAST FRIENDS EVENTS
Together, we engage with community organizations to build support for new programs and increase attendance to existing programs.
OUR MISSION
Bringing together community “friends” to advocate for libraries. The Friends of AARLCC is a support group of the African-American Research Library and Cultural Center. This includes, but is not limited to, presenting library needs to elected officials in order to obtain crucial financial support.
JOIN US
– Every member plays a vital role.
We actively collaborate with community organizations to build support for new initiatives and boost attendance at our existing programs. Our goal is to provide resources for acquiring additions, special collections, research materials, and historically significant artifacts for our library’s special collections.
Every member plays a vital role as an Ambassador for AARLCC, helping to raise public awareness about the library and its services. Join us in strengthening our advocacy efforts, increasing contributions, and embracing opportunities to meet AARLCC’s needs. Learn how you can become a Friend of the Library.
We invite you to visit AARLCC. If you are a regular patron, we encourage you to continue supporting the programs and services that make AARLCC a “gem” in Broward County.
Be sure to check our website regularly for updates on special events and exhibits at AARLCC.
WE ADVOCATE
– Why Are We Here? Why Friends?
WE ARE FRIENDS
We are advocates for the life, history, and culture of African American history, serving as liaisons between the African American Research Library and Cultural Center (AARLCC) and the community.
As supporters, we raise funds for programs, events, exhibits, and the archive at AARLCC to increase awareness of our work.
Our mission is to unite community, friend & in advocating for libraries. The Friends of AARLCC is a support group for the African American Research Library and Cultural Center. This includes, but is not limited to, presenting library needs to elected officials to secure crucial financial support.
Our advocacy activities involve meeting with the County Administrator, the County Mayor, and each County Commissioner to provide factual information about the importance of maintaining funding for library programs and services. We demonstrate how these services benefit the community. We encourage community members to be present at budget workshops, speak at public hearings, appear before the Broward Legislative Delegation, attend Library Days in Tallahassee to advocate for state aid to libraries, and participate in our advocacy campaigns.
We invite you to join us and become active in our advocacy efforts.
WE SUPPORT
– Our Community & Our People!
Funds Allocated & Programs We Support As An Organization
Soulful Christmas is a holiday celebration for everyone, featuring music, storytelling, and a sense of community. This multidisciplinary event offers audiences a musical journey through the decades, showcasing iconic music that has shaped the sounds of Black Christmas. Attendees will enjoy a range of genres, including gospel, spirituals, soul, and more, all led by a diverse cast of artists. Join us for this enriching holiday experience filled with music and connection.
Educational and essential youth programs that help build and cultivate our youth through STEM, arts and cultural events, financial literacy, and reading.
Furthermore, funding supports expanding youth impact, which includes but is not limited to an award-winning Black History Saturday school series, family literacy programs, and college preparation programs.
