2025

Below are some of the programs held in 2025, including viewing links where possible. We invite you to tune in and hear from some of the incredible folks who have taken the time to be with us over the years.

We are working to update this page with some of the many programs we held in 2025, so be sure to check back.

Flyer for "Outraged" with Dr. Kurt Gray featuring a picture of the author and an image of the book cover, a red cover with the word Outraged in black

March 4, 2025 at 12 noon - Lunch and Learn: "Outraged" with Dr. Kurt Gray - We were honored to be joined by Dr. Kurt Gray for a live-viewing-only (no on demand available) conversation about his important book "Outraged: Why We Fight About Morality and Politics and How to Find Common Ground". If you missed our conversation, please check out the book from your local library or get it from your favorite bookstore. Getting along not only makes our lives individually better, it's important for democracy. (Really!)

IMAGE: Lunch and Learn with George M. Johnson

February 25, 2025 at 12 noon - Lunch and Learn: "The Queer Harlem Renaissance I Wish I'd Known" with George M. Johnson - George M. Johnson joined Lunch and Learn to discuss their celebratory collection, "The Queer Harlem Renaissance I Wish I'd Known", book challenges/bans, and why telling the stories of the those who came before is both inspiring and life-saving.

IMAGE: Solidarity Stories Book Club - The City We Became

February 18, 2025 at 6:30 pm - Solidarity Stories - "The Night We Became" by N.K. Jemisin - Our Solidary Stories book group with MiXt Food Hall and PGCMLS discussed "The Night We Became" for our Black History Month read.

Solidarity Stories is a community book group that meets in the loft of MiXt Food Hall in Mt Rainier on the third Tuesday of every month at 6:30 pm. Come join us!

February 15, 2025 at 1 pm - Diving With Purpose with Kamau B.A. Sidiki - We joined the City of Greenbelt's Black and History and Culture Committee at the Greenbelt Branch Library for a special Black History Month program highlighting Kamau B.A. Sidiki. Didn't make it and curious what you missed? Learn more about him and his work with this program from National Geographic.

Flyer for Lunch and Learn with Noliwe Rooks featuring an image of the author and the book jacket cover

February 4, 2025 at 12 noon - Lunch and Learn - "A Passionate Mind in Relentless Pursuit" with Noliwe Rooks -

Noliwe Rooks joined us to talk about her incredible study A Passionate Mind in Relentless Pursuit: The Vision of Mary McLeod Bethune.

IMAGE: Small Acts of Kindness at Greenbelt Community Church

February 3, 2025 at 6 pm - Small Acts of Kindness Interfaith Discussion - we hosted an in-person panel discussion on small acts of kindness, with speakers representing Jewish, Sikh, no-faith, and Christian perspectives speaking on how their faith tradition/understanding impacts and encourages small acts of kindness. Speakers also reflected on the impact of such acts, and how kindness is never, ever small. We thank Greenbelt Community Church for offering their social hall as a venue and for their partnership in building and hosting the event.

IMAGE: Community Conversation with Carmen Duran

January 30, 2025 at 4 pm - Community Conversation - Carmen Duran for National Human Trafficking Awareness Month - Carmen Duran, with the Department of Family Services' Domestic Violence and Human Trafficking Division, talked to us about human trafficking and the work being done in the region to combat it.

IMAGE: Lunch and Learn with Briana Thomas

January 28, 2025 at 12 noon - Lunch and Learn: Black Broadway in Washington DC with Briana Thomas - Local journalist, historian, and tour guide Briana Thomas joined us to talk about Black Broadway in DC, the vibrant and rich heritage of Washington DC, and to invite us all to experience the joy, stories, and dynamism of the area.

January 23, 2025 - Conversación comunitaria: Programa de Cumplimiento de Acceso al Idioma - We held a Spanish-language Community Conversation on our Language Access Compliance program. We held an English-language program on Language Access in October of 2024.

IMAGE: Solidarity Stories Book Club January 2025 - What Storm What Thunder

January 21, 2025 at 6:30 pm - Solidarity Stories - "What Storm, What Thunder" by Myriam J.A. Chancy - Our 2025 Solidarity Stories kicked off with the One Maryland, One Book selection "What Storm, What Thunder". Solidarity Stories, a partnership between the Office of Human Rights, PGCMLS, and MiXt Food Hall, is a community book group to which all are welcome! It meets the third Tuesday of the month at MiXt Food Hall in Mt Rainier (3809 Rhode Island Avenue).

IMAGE: Lunch and Learn with Rebecca Hass

January 21, 2025 at 12 noon - Lunch and Learn - Rebecca Hass on "101 Seeds of Library Joy" Anne Arundel County librarian and author Rebecca Hass talked to us about the intentional practice of finding, creating, and cultivating joy in our work and our play, and her new book that offers tips for this in library spaces.

IMAGE: Lunch and Learn with Commander John Herrington

January 14, 2025 at 12 noon - Lunch and Learn - Reaching New Heights with Commander John B. Herrington We were delighted to kick of the new year with Commander John B. Herrington joining us and PGCMLS for Lunch and Learn! From the far reaches of outer space to the depths of the ocean, Commander Herrington has seen more of the universe than most people could even imagine! We discussed his career, his children's book "Mission to Space," his experience a the first person from a federally recognized tribe to fly in space (and the inspiration he is to the Chickasaw nation and many others), and everything in between.

IMAGE: Protecting Civil Rights During Challenging Times with MCCR

January 11, 2025 - Protecting Civil Rights in Challenging Times Symposium - We joined the Maryland Commission on Civil Rights and other human rights agencies from around Maryland for a heartening day of speakers, panel discussions, and connection regarding the changing landscape of human rights work.