Martin Luther King Jr. Freedom Library

Happy Birthday, Mariah Carey! Mariah Carey was born on March 27, 1970, in Huntington, Long Island, New York. Carey spent a lot of her time in 1987 working as a waitress and a coat check girl. While at night she worked on writing songs and actively pursuing a music career. In March 1992, Carey appeared on MTV's Unplugged, In this performance, she did a cover to the Jacksons I’ll Be There. This appearance is what helped her rise to fame. Carey Is a well-known American pop singer and actress who is known for her remarkable vocal range.

Happy Birthday Teddy Pendergrass! The soul sensation of Philadelphia better known as Teddy Pendergrass was a talented singer and performer of the ’70s. He was also known for being an R&B Pioneer. Theodore DeReese Pendergrass was born on March 26, 1950, in Kingstree, South Carolina. He’s well known for his singles I Miss You and If You Don’t Know Me by Now Pendergrass was often compared to singers mainly highlighting the things he lacked. Pendergrass didn’t have a vocal range like Al Green or virtuosity like Stevie Wonder. However, he did have unbridled masculinity that brought with every stage presence.

Happy Birthday Diana Ross! Ross was born on March 26, 1944, in Detroit, Michigan. Developing a reputation as an accomplished performer, Ross began singing in the group the Primettes, The group later experienced some members dropping out thus turning the group into the Supremes. Diana Ross was a singer and actress well known for her performance in Lady Sing the Blues and The Wiz.

Happy Birthday Aretha Franklin! Aretha Franklin was born on March 25, 1942, in Memphis, Tennessee to a baptist preacher and gospel singer. Franklin is known as the Queen of Soul, she has been acknowledged as a gifted singer and pianist. In 1987 she was the first female to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Frame. Then later in 2008, she won her 18th Grammy Award.

Happy Birthday, Star Jones! Star Jones was born on March 24th, 1962 in Badin, North Carolina. However, she was brought up in Trenton, NJ with her stepfather and mother. Star Jones is a well-known American Tv personality and lawyer. However, she is also known for being a journalist, author, and fashion designer.

We are posting videos of people reading to children every day for the rest of Black History Month. The books are for children as young as 2 and as old as 6th grade. Check in each day to see what the next book is, and for what age group. Including the introduction, the reading time ranges from less than 3 minutes for the youngest children, up to 18 minutes for the oldest (3-6 grade). Many thanks to the volunteers at White Plains Hospital who are reading books for us during Black History Month, and to White Plains Hospital for donating the books to our library.

For grades 3-6, read by a White Plains Hospital volunteer.

Lola at the Library is perfect for 2-5 year old children. Here is a clearer film of the book.

For Black History Month we have stories for children, many read by employees at White Plains Hospital. Here is the first one. This book is called Lola at the library by Anna McQuinan. This film is two minutes and fifty seconds long. It is for the age group of 3 month to 3 years.

Lloyd J. Austin the 3rd, 67 years old was the only African-American to lead the U.S Central Command. This was the military’s marquee combat command that held responsibility for Iraq, Syria and many other palaces. He retired after completed 41 years in the military in 2016. However, He is widely respected across the Army. Austin was four star retired Army general who received a special waiver to hold post. It has been confirmed that Lloyd J. Austin the 3rd a defense secretary will be filling in on the critical role of national security for president Biden's cabinet. Thus making him the first black pentagon chief. This is certainly a extraordinary historic moment. Secretary Austin’s confirmation is a historic first and symbolizes the culmination of the nearly 75-year march toward genuine integration of the department.