In an effort to foster a deeper understanding of Black history and culture, the City of Raleigh Museum is launching Evelyn's Book Club, a project that pays homage to the voracious reader and esteemed librarian, Evelyn B. Pope. Born to Delia Pope and Dr. Manassa Pope on August 17, 1908, Evelyn's passion for literature was said to be unparalleled, with a particular affinity for the works of Shakespeare, James Baldwin, and Richard Wright, and she later enhanced the libraries at historically black Colleges and University across the South.
The club, which looks to honor Evelyn, who after enriching the academic realm settled in Durham, North Carolina and became the Dean of Library Sciences at North Carolina Central University, will also serve as an intersection of literary appreciation and communal discourse. Participants will have the opportunity to dive into a curated selection of literary fiction that reflects and celebrates Black culture, with registration beginning on March 18.
Weekly gatherings are scheduled to commence on June 25 and will continue on a monthly basis on Wednesdays, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. The book club invites individuals who are 21 years of age or older to engage in these free spirited discussions. There is no cost associated to join — an accessible approach that reflects Evelyn Pope's belief in the boundless reach of knowledge.
Fulfilling a dual purpose, Evelyn's Book Club also seeks to perpetuate the legacy of the Pope family, particularly through the efforts of Evelyn together with her sister Ruth, who fought to preserve their family home. Now recognized as the Dr. M.T. Pope House Museum, the siblings' dedication ensured that future generations could have a tangible link to the past.
