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Author Event - Dr. Derek G. Handley

2025-02-11 17:30:00 2025-02-11 18:30:00 America/Chicago Author Event - Dr. Derek G. Handley MPL hosts an evening with Dr. Derek G. Handley, author of Struggle for the City: Citizenship and Resistance in the Black Freedom Movement, and an Assistant Professor of English at UWM. Central Library - Rotary Club of Milwaukee Community Room

Tuesday, February 11
5:30pm - 6:30pm

Add to Calendar 2025-02-11 17:30:00 2025-02-11 18:30:00 America/Chicago Author Event - Dr. Derek G. Handley MPL hosts an evening with Dr. Derek G. Handley, author of Struggle for the City: Citizenship and Resistance in the Black Freedom Movement, and an Assistant Professor of English at UWM. Central Library - Rotary Club of Milwaukee Community Room

Central Library

Rotary Club of Milwaukee Community Room

MPL hosts an evening with Dr. Derek G. Handley, author of Struggle for the City: Citizenship and Resistance in the Black Freedom Movement, and an Assistant Professor of English at UWM.

MPL is thrilled to host Dr. Derek G. Handley, author of Struggle for the City: Citizenship and Resistance in the Black Freedom Movement, released in November 2024. In this book, Dr. Handley shows how African American residents in three communities - the Hill district of Pittsburgh, the Bronzeville neighborhood of Milwaukee, and the Rondo district of St. Paul - attempted to protect their communities from urban renewal and enacted a new form of citizenship to fight for their neighborhoods. This event is co-sponsored by Boswell Books Company, and copies of Struggle for the City will be available to purchase from Boswell at the event.

The urban renewal policies stemming from the 1954 Housing Act and 1956 Highway Act destroyed the economic centers of many Black neighborhoods in the United States. Struggle for the City recovers the agency and solidarity of African American residents confronting this diagnosis of “blight” in northern cities in the 1950s and 1960s. In his research, Dr. Handley examines Black newspapers, archival documents from Black organizations, and oral histories of community advocates, showing how African American residents fight for their neighborhoods and communities. Dubbing this the “Black Rhetorical Citizenship,” a nod to the integral role of language and other symbolic means in the Black Freedom Movement, Handley situates citizenship as both a site of resistance and a mode of public engagement that cannot be divorced from race and the effects of racism. Through this framework, Struggle for the City demonstrates how local organizers, leaders, and residents used rhetorics of placemaking, community organizing, and critical memory to resist the bulldozing visions of urban renewal.

Dr. Derek G. Handley is an Assistant Professor in the English Department at UWM. He is also affiliated faculty in the African Diaspora Studies Department and in the Urban Studies program.

AGE GROUP: | Adults |

EVENT TYPE: | Special Events | History & Genealogy | Author Event |

TAGS: | |

Central Library

Branch manager
Marian Royal

Hours

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We're open 10:00AM to 7:00PM

We're closed Friday July 04 due to The Fourth of July
Mon, Jun 30 10:00AM to 7:00PM
Tue, Jul 01 10:00AM to 7:00PM
Wed, Jul 02 10:00AM to 6:00PM
Thu, Jul 03 10:00AM to 6:00PM
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(The Fourth of July )
Sat, Jul 05 9:00AM to 5:00PM
Sun, Jul 06 1:00PM to 5:00PM

Upcoming Events

Mon, Jun 30, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Children's Herzfeld Activity Center
Join us for a story time and a group art project celebrating uniqueness in ourselves and in our community.

Tue, Jul 01, 10:30am - 11:15am
Children's Herzfeld Activity Center
A 20-minute story time for young children is followed by open play time. For children ages 3 and under, with a caregiver.

Tue, Jul 01, 12:00pm - 1:30pm
Business Commons, Gift of Schoenleber Foundation and Elaine C. Lange - Collaboration Table #1
Do you have a question about your smartphone, tablet, or other electronic device? Need help accessing library resources? We can help! 

Wed, Jul 02, 10:30am - 12:00pm
Join us at Central library for a weekly walk. We will meet under the dome of the Central Library and take a two-mile loop through this historic neighborhood. The club meets rain or shine.

Wed, Jul 02, 10:30am - 4:00pm
Innovation and Learning Lab
Get one-on-one help with job searching, resume writing, online applications and more! Drop-in, no registration required!

Wed, Jul 02, 12:30pm - 1:30pm
Green Roof
Enjoy a short tour of the library's Green Roof! 

Wed, Jul 02, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Children's Room - Back Area
Come build with us! We'll supply a variety of building materials and you'll bring the creativity. Meet friends and see what you can create together.

Thu, Jul 03, 10:30am - 11:00am
Children's Story Steps
Young children and their caregivers are invited to story time filled with fun stories, songs, and finger plays.

Thu, Jul 03, 10:30am - 11:30am
Rotary Club of Milwaukee Community Room
Join us at the beautiful Central Library for an adaptive yoga class suitable for people of all abilities. Registration is encouraged, but not required.

Thu, Jul 03, 11:00am - 11:20am
Children's Room - Back Area
Share simple stories, playful songs and gentle movement in this lapsit story time for babies aged 0-18 months, with a caregiver.

Cancelled
Thu, Jul 03, 1:00pm - 4:00pm
A Goodwill Consultant will be available to provide job search assistance, resume-building help, and interview preparation.

Sat, Jul 05, 10:30am - 11:30am
Children's Herzfeld Activity Center
Stories and a fun letter craft help build pre-reading and fine motor skills to support early literacy. This interactive program focuses on letter recognition. Each week, learn all about a new letter!

Sat, Jul 05, 11:00am - 12:00pm
Central Library Tours
Join a Docent Tour Guide on a tour of the Central Library! The Docent will share the history of the Milwaukee Public Library and provide insight on architectural points of interest.

Sat, Jul 05, 1:30pm - 2:30pm
Green Roof
Enjoy a short tour of the library's Green Roof! 

Mon, Jul 07, 2:00pm - 2:45pm
Children's Herzfeld Activity Center
Butterflies may be beautiful, but that's not why they're important! Join us to learn about the residents of MPM's Butterfly Vivarium. This event is limited to 30 attendees, first come first serve.

Tue, Jul 08, 10:30am - 11:15am
Children's Herzfeld Activity Center
A 20-minute story time for young children is followed by open play time. For children ages 3 and under, with a caregiver.

Tue, Jul 08, 10:30am - 1:30pm
Mozart's Grove
Your health matters. Come talk to us! Aurora Mobile Health is providing free health services at Milwaukee Public Library Central Library for community members.

Tue, Jul 08, 12:00pm - 1:30pm
Business Commons, Gift of Schoenleber Foundation and Elaine C. Lange - Collaboration Table #1
Do you have a question about your smartphone, tablet, or other electronic device? Need help accessing library resources? We can help! 

Tue, Jul 08, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Children's Herzfeld Activity Center
Feeling crafty? Drop in to hang out with other crafters, sample new crafts, or bring your own work-in-progress!

Wed, Jul 09, 10:30am - 12:00pm
Join us at Central library for a weekly walk. We will meet under the dome of the Central Library and take a two-mile loop through this historic neighborhood. The club meets rain or shine.

Wed, Jul 09, 10:30am - 4:00pm
Innovation and Learning Lab
Get one-on-one help with job searching, resume writing, online applications and more! Drop-in, no registration required!

Wed, Jul 09, 12:30pm - 1:30pm
Green Roof
Enjoy a short tour of the library's Green Roof! 

Wed, Jul 09, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Children's Room - Back Area
Come build with us! We'll supply a variety of building materials and you'll bring the creativity. Meet friends and see what you can create together.

Thu, Jul 10, 10:30am - 11:30am
Rotary Club of Milwaukee Community Room
Join us at the beautiful Central Library for an adaptive yoga class suitable for people of all abilities. Registration is encouraged, but not required.

Thu, Jul 10, 10:30am - 11:00am
Children's Story Steps
Young children and their caregivers are invited to story time filled with fun stories, songs, and finger plays.

Thu, Jul 10, 11:00am - 11:20am
Children's Room - Back Area
Share simple stories, playful songs and gentle movement in this lapsit story time for babies aged 0-18 months, with a caregiver.

Thu, Jul 10, 1:00pm - 4:00pm
Main Street - Second Floor
A Goodwill Consultant will be available to provide job search assistance, resume-building help, and interview preparation.

Fri, Jul 11, 3:00pm - 5:30pm
Rotary Club of Milwaukee Community Room
Join us at MPL Central to watch an exciting selection of movies, twice a month, all summer long!

Sat, Jul 12, 10:30am - 11:30am
Children's Herzfeld Activity Center
Stories and a fun letter craft help build pre-reading and fine motor skills to support early literacy. This interactive program focuses on letter recognition. Each week, learn all about a new letter!

Sat, Jul 12, 11:00am - 12:00pm
Central Library Tours
Join a Docent Tour Guide on a tour of the Central Library! The Docent will share the history of the Milwaukee Public Library and provide insight on architectural points of interest.

Sat, Jul 12, 1:30pm - 2:30pm
Green Roof
Enjoy a short tour of the library's Green Roof! 

Mon, Jul 14, 2:00pm - 2:45pm
Children's Herzfeld Activity Center
It's Disability Pride Month! Learn about Louis Braille's work to make reading accessible to blind and low-vision people. Then try your hand at creating a Braille alphabet chart.

Tue, Jul 15, 10:30am - 11:15am
Children's Herzfeld Activity Center
A 20-minute story time for young children is followed by open play time. For children ages 3 and under, with a caregiver.

Tue, Jul 15, 10:30am - 12:30pm
Innovation and Learning Lab
In this beginner-friendly class, you'll learn what ChatGPT is, how it works, and how you can use it in your daily life.

Tue, Jul 15, 1:00pm - 2:00pm
Art, Music & Recreation Room
In this engaging and interactive workshop, participants will be creating many drawings through games and unexpected prompts lead by author and illustrator Rachal Duggan. All skill levels are welcome.

Wed, Jul 16, 10:30am - 4:00pm
Innovation and Learning Lab
Get one-on-one help with job searching, resume writing, online applications and more! Drop-in, no registration required!

Wed, Jul 16, 10:30am - 12:00pm
Join us at Central library for a weekly walk. We will meet under the dome of the Central Library and take a two-mile loop through this historic neighborhood. The club meets rain or shine.

Wed, Jul 16, 12:30pm - 1:30pm
Green Roof
Enjoy a short tour of the library's Green Roof! 

Wed, Jul 16, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Children's Room - Back Area
Come build with us! We'll supply a variety of building materials and you'll bring the creativity. Meet friends and see what you can create together.

Thu, Jul 17, 10:30am - 11:00am
Children's Story Steps
Young children and their caregivers are invited to story time filled with fun stories, songs, and finger plays.

Thu, Jul 17, 10:30am - 11:30am
Rotary Club of Milwaukee Community Room
Join us at the beautiful Central Library for an adaptive yoga class suitable for people of all abilities. Registration is encouraged, but not required.

Thu, Jul 17, 11:00am - 11:20am
Children's Room - Back Area
Share simple stories, playful songs and gentle movement in this lapsit story time for babies aged 0-18 months, with a caregiver.

Thu, Jul 17, 1:00pm - 4:00pm
Main Street - Second Floor
A Goodwill Consultant will be available to provide job search assistance, resume-building help, and interview preparation.

Sat, Jul 19, 10:30am - 11:30am
Children's Herzfeld Activity Center
Stories and a fun letter craft help build pre-reading and fine motor skills to support early literacy. This interactive program focuses on letter recognition. Each week, learn all about a new letter!

Sat, Jul 19, 11:00am - 12:00pm
Central Library Tours
Join a Docent Tour Guide on a tour of the Central Library! The Docent will share the history of the Milwaukee Public Library and provide insight on architectural points of interest.

Sat, Jul 19, 1:30pm - 2:30pm
Green Roof
Enjoy a short tour of the library's Green Roof! 

Mon, Jul 21, 11:30am - 12:30pm
Rotary Club of Milwaukee Community Room
Learn about a different aspect of the Great Lakes Marine Collection each month. Of interest to divers, genealogists, or anyone interested in learning more about Great Lakes history.

Mon, Jul 21, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Children's Herzfeld Activity Center
Join us for a story time and activities during Disability Pride Month.

Mon, Jul 21, 4:30pm - 6:30pm
Art, Music & Recreation Room
In honor of International Zine Month, join us in Central's Art Room for a very special summer edition of Art Book Club: ZINES!

Tue, Jul 22, 10:30am - 1:30pm
Mozart's Grove
Your health matters. Come talk to us! Aurora Mobile Health is providing free health services at Milwaukee Public Library Central Library for community members.

Tue, Jul 22, 10:30am - 11:15am
Children's Herzfeld Activity Center
A 20-minute story time for young children is followed by open play time. For children ages 3 and under, with a caregiver.

Wed, Jul 23, All day
Mozart's Grove

Wed, Jul 23, 10:30am - 12:00pm
Join us at Central library for a weekly walk. We will meet under the dome of the Central Library and take a two-mile loop through this historic neighborhood. The club meets rain or shine.

Wed, Jul 23, 10:30am - 4:00pm
Innovation and Learning Lab
Get one-on-one help with job searching, resume writing, online applications and more! Drop-in, no registration required!

Wed, Jul 23, 12:30pm - 1:30pm
Green Roof
Enjoy a short tour of the library's Green Roof! 

Wed, Jul 23, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Children's Room - Back Area
Come build with us! We'll supply a variety of building materials and you'll bring the creativity. Meet friends and see what you can create together.

Thu, Jul 24, 10:30am - 11:00am
Children's Story Steps
Young children and their caregivers are invited to story time filled with fun stories, songs, and finger plays.

Thu, Jul 24, 11:00am - 11:20am
Children's Room - Back Area
Share simple stories, playful songs and gentle movement in this lapsit story time for babies aged 0-18 months, with a caregiver.

Thu, Jul 24, 1:00pm - 4:00pm
Main Street - Second Floor
A Goodwill Consultant will be available to provide job search assistance, resume-building help, and interview preparation.

Thu, Jul 24, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Children's Herzfeld Activity Center
Do you have a favorite anime series you can't stop talking about? Join us to meet other anime and manga fans, watch your favorite series, and practice your own anime art or make a fun craft.

Fri, Jul 25, 3:00pm - 5:30pm
Rotary Club of Milwaukee Community Room
Join us at MPL Central to watch an exciting selection of movies, twice a month, all summer long!

Sat, Jul 26, 10:30am - 12:00pm
Rotary Club of Milwaukee Community Room
Join us to learn some basic preservation techniques to protect your family memories.

Sat, Jul 26, 10:30am - 11:30am
Children's Herzfeld Activity Center
Stories and a fun letter craft help build pre-reading and fine motor skills to support early literacy. This interactive program focuses on letter recognition. Each week, learn all about a new letter!

Sat, Jul 26, 11:00am - 12:00pm
Innovation and Learning Lab
Ready to turn your food business dreams into reality? Join the Passion to Profits workshop series with food entrepreneur Shatoia Robinson!
This event is full

Sat, Jul 26, 11:00am - 12:00pm
Central Library Tours
Join a Docent Tour Guide on a tour of the Central Library! The Docent will share the history of the Milwaukee Public Library and provide insight on architectural points of interest.

Sat, Jul 26, 1:30pm - 2:30pm
Green Roof
Enjoy a short tour of the library's Green Roof! 

Mon, Jul 28, 2:00pm - 2:45pm
Children's Herzfeld Activity Center
It's Robo-time! Experiment with some cool robots and see if you can move them through our obstacle course!

Tue, Jul 29, 10:30am - 11:15am
Children's Herzfeld Activity Center
A 20-minute story time for young children is followed by open play time. For children ages 3 and under, with a caregiver.

Tue, Jul 29, 12:00pm - 1:30pm
Business Commons, Gift of Schoenleber Foundation and Elaine C. Lange - Collaboration Table #1
Do you have a question about your smartphone, tablet, or other electronic device? Need help accessing library resources? We can help! 

Tue, Jul 29, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Rotary Club of Milwaukee Community Room
Learn about what composting is, why composting is important, and how to compost in your own backyard.

Tue, Jul 29, 5:00pm - 6:30pm
Innovation and Learning Lab
Join us for a three-part series in honor of Minority Mental Health Awareness and Black Business Month. Focus on healing from within through mental health, nutrition, and reflective journaling.

Wed, Jul 30, 10:30am - 12:00pm
Join us at Central library for a weekly walk. We will meet under the dome of the Central Library and take a two-mile loop through this historic neighborhood. The club meets rain or shine.

Wed, Jul 30, 10:30am - 4:00pm
Innovation and Learning Lab
Get one-on-one help with job searching, resume writing, online applications and more! Drop-in, no registration required!

Wed, Jul 30, 12:30pm - 1:30pm
Green Roof
Enjoy a short tour of the library's Green Roof! 

Wed, Jul 30, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Children's Room - Back Area
Come build with us! We'll supply a variety of building materials and you'll bring the creativity. Meet friends and see what you can create together.

Wed, Jul 30, 3:00pm - 5:00pm
East View Conference Room
Attend a free, brief consultation with an IP attorney to ask questions about getting started on protecting your patent or trademark.