Marc Chery is a busy man these days. He's been working for the San Diego Public Library for 17 years now, and recently jumped in to manage the Malcolm X Library and Performing Arts Center, one of the liveliest San Diego libraries. It just celebrated its 20th year.
He's also being recognized as a 2016 Local Heroes Black History Month honoree. He was nominated for the honor by Alison Workman, a family health professional in San Diego. Here's some of what she has to say:
"I know of a few things on his impressive resume, but what moves me to nominate him is his humanity, his humility and his demonstrated commitment to African American girls and women. Marc has this quiet, never-ending commitment to peoples of the African diaspora and to promoting the art and literature of African American people. As a librarian, I’ve seen him support Black community organizations and efforts (via his work at the Malcolm X Library, and bringing Black films to San Diego like the documentary, “Free Angela and All Political Prisoners”). As a father, I’ve witnessed how he’s imbued his two young daughters with immense pride and knowledge of their Haitian and African ancestry."
Chery often has a hand in lifting up the community around him. He's coordinated "One Book One San Diego," in partnership with KPBS, for six years. And he has a role in the library's aptly named, "Do Your Homework @ The Library" program, which facilitates ideal working conditions for students to do homework.
He's dedicated to bringing San Diegans great films, too. A screenwriter himself, Chery often hosts events at the library focused on independent, foreign films, and films by people of color. (See this Cinema Junkie story on the Library's "The Return Of Schlockfest.")
Workman goes on in her nomination, "Marc comes to mind when I think of the embodiment of a man who authentically supports Black feminist/womanist praxis. And he is truly a hero to me."
After being told of his nomination, Chery said, "Who did this to me?" He was intrigued.
See past Black History Month honorees here.
Meet fellow 2016 honoree Makeda Marianne Cheatom.
