Written by Tanya Terry with Jowanne Carrington
Featured photo: Many choose to celebrate the Gloria Coles Flint Public Library’s 175th Anniversary by wearing costumes inspired by books! Here, Ta’Nesa Blakely wears attire inspired by “Phenomenal Woman: Four Poems Celebrating Women,” by Maya Angelou. Jimmela Byrd’s outfit is inspired by “The Bluest Eye,” by Toni Morrison, and Dawn Hibbard was inspired by “The Great Gatsby.” Photo by Tanya Terry.
All 200 tickets for the event sold out days ahead of time for the Gloria Coles Flint Public Library’s 175th Anniversary Gala, held on November 7, at the library. The theme was “Looks as Books: Celebrating 175 Years of Stories with Style.”
Activities at the gala included button making, a photo booth, a henna booth and a geneaology station. Glamorously dressed live statues captured and held attendees’ attention. Aerialist Maya Crampton blew the crowd away when she showcased her impressive acrobatic skills. There was also a time capsule where people were writing things down about what’s going on currently with plans of the capsule being opened a few years into the future to see how things have changed. A silent auction took place. Live music was provided by the Eclipse Band with Singer Jasmine Turman. In addition, attendees were able to pick a gift wrapped book to unwrap and find suprise reads. Finally, at 9 p.m., during the “after-party” with music by Anthony “DJ Hype” Carter, individuals and small groups of friends dressed in costumes inspired by some of their favorite books danced in the library’s upper level.
According to the library’s executive director, Desmond London, the gala took about five months to plan. London stated that there are plans to make the event a yearly affair, held each November, and to start planning even further ahead in the future.
“It was a total team effort,” London said of the gala.
For London, being able to see former Executive Directors Gloria Coles and Kay Schwartz was the highlight of the event and “put fire” in him to continue doing great work.
Schwartz received the Second Annual Brenda Harris Story Keeper Award. The Inaugural Volunteer of the Year award was given to Kathryn Smith (known affectionately as “Grandma Kathy”), and the Inaugural Partner of the Year award was given to the Friends of the Flint Public Library.
“I absolutely have to say the highlight for me would be to walk in and see Gloria Coles and get a great big hug from her,” said Kathy Burtley, retired Flint school teacher, who attended the gala with her son.
Burtley stated she is the wife of the first Black superintendent of Flint Community Schools, the late Dr. Nathel Burtley.
“I think the library is absolutely beautiful,” said Kathy Burtley, “I walk around with this giant smile on my face because of the progress that’s been made-and the kids deserve the progress.”
Special legislative acknowledgements recognizing the library’s 175 years of service were given by United States Senator Elissa Slotkin’s office, as well as Michigan Senator John Cherry’s office.
When asked what he sees for the library’s next 175 years, London stated: “My vision is with the new high schools coming here to be a safe place for teens that are engaging, that provides them with things to do, and that makes the city of Flint an overall safer place by engaging our young people at a very critical age. At the same time, we want to continue providing resources to every corner in this community, whether it be our seniors, whether it be our kindergartners and whether it be our babies.
“We just want to make sure that we’re showing up for the community, and not just at the library, because the library is an idea,” added London.” It’s without borders. So we want to make sure we’re showing up where people are at. We’re getting out in the community more, and we’re eliminating barriers for people.”
Christopher Burtley, who recently was sworn in as a trustee for the Gloria Coles Flint Public Library, stated: “I think about the past 175 years. So, if you think about what this started, the small building, just a collection of books and really just a commitment to public education and to the library, no matter what your background, if you don’t have money, if you don’t have something, a book to buy, you have access to information.
“…Years ago, there weren’t computers, there wasn’t Wi-Fi, right?
“So I don’t know what it will look like, but I want to make sure that the library has the flexibility and the dynamic to be able to serve people with information and free access to it, whatever that looks like. And I won’t be here 175 years to know what that is, but I want to make sure the library is…”
