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?
Saturday, June 13: 12:00pm – 4:00pm
African American Research Library and Cultural Center – Auditorium
Age group: Everyone
event type: Arts & Cultural
Wikicurious: Black Broward on Wikipedia is a beginner-friendly edit-a-thon on Black & Afro-Caribbean Broward history.
Register
Genealogy 101 Meetup Series – Freedmen’s Records Bureau
Saturday, June 13: 1:00pm – 3:00pm
African American Research Library and Cultural Center – Computer Lab
Age group: Teens New Adults Adults
event type: Clubs & Groups, Class
Covering the beginning basics, participants will learn basic tenets of family history research – constructing family pedigree charts (tree), genealogy terms, organization tools and digital resources.
Register
Canvas Painting – Beneath the Brush Dinosaur Painting Lab
Saturday, June 13: 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
Creative Expressions Presented by The Color Bubble – A Youth Art Series Celebrating Art, Culture & Creativity
Monday, June 15: 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
Youth Quilt Making Club: Hidden Threads – Quilts, Codes, and Family Stories
Tuesday, June 16: 3:30pm – 4:30pm
African American Research Library and Cultural Center – Gallery B
Age group: Kids Families
event type: Summer Learning Program, Arts & Cultural
Join the Youth Quilt Making Club: Hidden Threads and explore history, art, and family stories through quilting.
Register
ASPIRE College Readiness Mentorship Program – ASPIRE- Getting it Done (GID) Workshops
Wednesday, June 17: 1:30pm – 2:30pm
AARLCC ASPIRE Academy VIRTUAL Interest Meeting – A FREE COLLEGE PREP PROGRAM – Zoom Virtual Meeting – Zoom Virtual Meeting
Age group: Teens Adults
event type: Workshop, 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- Getting it Done (GID) Workshops
Roaring into Summer – Unearth a Story This Summer with MODS
Wednesday, June 17: 3:30pm – 4:30pm
African American Research Library and Cultural Center – Gallery B
Age group: Tweens Preschool
event type: Workshop, Summer Learning Program
Sponsored by the Broward Public Library Foundation.
Register
ASPIRE College Readiness Mentorship Program – How to Apply for Scholarships
Wednesday, June 17: 6:00pm – 7:00pm
AARLCC ASPIRE Academy VIRTUAL Interest Meeting – A FREE COLLEGE PREP PROGRAM – Zoom Virtual Meeting – Zoom Virtual Meeting
Age group: Teens Adults
event type: Workshop, 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 detailsHow to Apply for Scholarships
Unearth a Story: Seeing Florida Heritage through Archaeology
Thursday, June 18: 11:00am – 12:00pm
African American Research Library and Cultural Center – Ellyn F. Walters Conference Room
Age group: Teens New Adults Adults
event type: Summer Learning Program, Speaker, Discussion/Lecture
The history of Florida is fascinating, and archaeological research provides a tactile, visual, and place-based approach to appreciating what has been achieved.
Register
The Juneteenth Experience | AARLCC – By Hued Songs
Saturday, June 20: 7:30pm – 9:00pm
African American Research Library and Cultural Center – Auditorium,Café,Dianne Bienes Seminar Room # 1,Gallery B,Lobby,Michael Bienes Seminar Room #2
Age group: Everyone
event type: Arts & Cultural
Celebrate freedom and culture live with music, food, and fun at The Juneteenth Experience | AARLCC!
Register
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.
