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I Am Nobody’s Slave: An Author Talk

with Pulitzer Prize Finalist Lee Hawkins

2025-02-18 13:00:00 2025-02-18 14:00:00 America/Chicago I Am Nobody’s Slave: An Author Talk Award-Winning Journalist and Creator and Host of the podcast “What Happened in Alabama?” Please register. Virtual -

Tuesday, February 18
1:00pm - 2:00pm

Add to Calendar 2025-02-18 13:00:00 2025-02-18 14:00:00 America/Chicago I Am Nobody’s Slave: An Author Talk Award-Winning Journalist and Creator and Host of the podcast “What Happened in Alabama?” Please register. Virtual -

Award-Winning Journalist and Creator and Host of the podcast “What Happened in Alabama?” Please register.

We welcome you to our conversation with journalist and author Lee Hawkins as he talks to us about the examination of his family’s legacy of post-enslavement trauma and resilience in this riveting memoir, I Am Nobody's Slave: How Uncovering My Family’s History Set Me Free

I Am Nobody’s Slave tells the story of one Black family's pursuit of the American Dream through the impacts of systemic racism and racial violence. This book examines how trauma from enslavement and Jim Crow shaped their outlook on thriving in America, influenced each generation, and how they succeeded despite these challenges.

To their suburban Minnesotan neighbors, the Hawkinses were an ideal American family, embodying strength and success. However, behind closed doors, they faced the legacy of enslavement and apartheid. Lee Hawkins, Sr. often exhibited rage, leaving his children anxious and curious about his protective view of the world. Thirty years later, his son uncovered the reasons for his father’s anxiety and occasional violence. Through research, he discovered violent deaths in his family for every generation since slavery, mostly due to white-on-Black murders, and how white enslavers impacted the family’s customs.

Hawkins explores the role of racism-triggered childhood trauma and chronic stress in shortening his ancestors' lives, using genetic testing, reporting, and historical data to craft a moving family portrait. This book shows how genealogical research can educate and heal Americans of all races, revealing through their story the story of America—a journey of struggle, resilience, and the heavy cost of ultimate success. Register today to join the conversation!


About the Author: LEE HAWKINS was a 2022 Pulitzer Prize finalist as a lead reporter on a series about the Tulsa Massacre of 1921 at the Wall Street Journal, where he worked for nineteen years. He has received several fellowships, including The Carter Center’s Rosalynn Carter Fellowship for Mental Health Journalism, the Alicia Patterson Foundation Journalism Fellowship, the O’Brien Fellowship for Public Service Journalism, the USC Annenberg Center for Health Journalism National Fellowship for reporting on child well-being. Hawkins is a five-time winner of the National Association of Black Journalists’ “Salute to Excellence” Award. He is the creator and host of the podcast “What Happened in Alabama?” and lives in the New York City area.

Please Register for link to program.


Live Virtual Author Talks - This new series through Library Speakers Consortium offers live online talks by bestselling authors of books in a variety of genres. Participants receive a link to the program when they register. Please see https://libraryc.org/gailborden to register and also view recorded videos of past speakers.

AGE GROUP: | Virtual Live | High School | Adults |

EVENT TYPE: | Virtual | Adult Programs |

TAGS: | |

Virtual

Phone: 847-742-2411

Hours

Today's hours

We're open 12:00PM to 5:00PM

Mon, Sep 22 9:00AM to 9:00PM
Tue, Sep 23 9:00AM to 9:00PM
Wed, Sep 24 9:00AM to 9:00PM
Thu, Sep 25 9:00AM to 9:00PM
Fri, Sep 26 9:00AM to 6:00PM
Sat, Sep 27 9:00AM to 6:00PM
Sun, Sep 28 12:00PM to 5:00PM

About the Branch

Programs presented virtually through FB, Zoom, YouTube, and other online sources.

Upcoming Events

Sun, Sep 28, All day
Main Library
Ven y conoce los Avatares de los Héroes comunitarios. Patrocinado por la Fundación del Caucus Latino Legislativo de Illinois.

Sun, Sep 28, 9:00am - 9:00pm
Main Library
Dinosaur Explorer journeys through the wildest, wackiest, and most wonderous dinosaurs and examines human physiology through the lens of these magnificent creatures.  Produced by Imagine.

Sun, Sep 28, 1:00pm - 1:15pm
Rakow Branch
Practice your reading skills by cuddling up with a good book and reading aloud to a fully trained and certified therapy dog. Registration required. For grades K through 8.
Registration is now closed

Sun, Sep 28, 1:15pm - 1:30pm
Rakow Branch
Practice your reading skills by cuddling up with a good book and reading aloud to a fully trained and certified therapy dog. Registration required. For grades K through 8.
Registration is now closed

Sun, Sep 28, 1:30pm - 1:45pm
Rakow Branch
Practice your reading skills by cuddling up with a good book and reading aloud to a fully trained and certified therapy dog. Registration required. For grades K through 8.
Registration is now closed

Sun, Sep 28, 1:45pm - 2:00pm
Rakow Branch
Practice your reading skills by cuddling up with a good book and reading aloud to a fully trained and certified therapy dog. Registration required. For grades K through 8.
Registration is now closed

Sun, Sep 28, 2:00pm - 2:15pm
Rakow Branch
Practice your reading skills by cuddling up with a good book and reading aloud to a fully trained and certified therapy dog. Registration required. For grades K through 8.
Registration is now closed

Sun, Sep 28, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Main Library - Meadows Community Rooms ABC
Experience the artistry of ESO Concertmaster Isabella Lippi in this special chamber music performance to kick off Gail Borden Library’s 20th season of Sunday Afternoon Concerts. Please Register

Sun, Sep 28, 2:15pm - 2:30pm
Rakow Branch
Practice your reading skills by cuddling up with a good book and reading aloud to a fully trained and certified therapy dog. Registration required. For grades K through 8.
Registration is now closed

Sun, Sep 28, 2:30pm - 2:45pm
Rakow Branch
Practice your reading skills by cuddling up with a good book and reading aloud to a fully trained and certified therapy dog. Registration required. For grades K through 8.
Registration is now closed

Sun, Sep 28, 2:45pm - 3:00pm
Rakow Branch
Practice your reading skills by cuddling up with a good book and reading aloud to a fully trained and certified therapy dog. Registration required. For grades K through 8.
Registration is now closed

Mon, Sep 29, All day
Main Library
Ven y conoce los Avatares de los Héroes comunitarios. Patrocinado por la Fundación del Caucus Latino Legislativo de Illinois.

Mon, Sep 29, 9:00am - 9:00pm
Main Library
Dinosaur Explorer journeys through the wildest, wackiest, and most wonderous dinosaurs and examines human physiology through the lens of these magnificent creatures.  Produced by Imagine.

Mon, Sep 29, 9:15am - 9:45am
Main Library - Story Room - North
Calling all preschoolers! This storytime features stories, songs, and rhymes for ages 3-6.
This event is full

Mon, Sep 29, 10:00am - 10:30am
South Elgin Branch - South Elgin - Shales Children's Activity Room
Fun art projects for little artists. Please wear appropriate clothing.
Registration is now closed

Mon, Sep 29, 10:00am - 10:30am
Main Library - Meadows Community Rooms ABC
Join us for an interactive storytime! Best for kids birth-6 years with an adult caregiver. All ages are welcome. Drop-in!

Mon, Sep 29, 11:30am - 12:30pm
Mobile Services - Sprinter
330 Griswold St, Elgin, IL 60123

Mon, Sep 29, 3:00pm - 3:45pm
Mobile Services
Bookmobile stop: Old Oaks Estates – 850 Villa St. – corner of Nancy Ann & Suzanne Ln. – Elgin 60120 – 3:00-3:45

Mon, Sep 29, 4:00pm - 4:45pm
Main Library - Sally Lee Fox & Eagle Rooms
Do you have the engineering skills to make a fantastic, fun, challenging marble run? Join us and find out if you've got the right stuff.
Registration is now closed

Mon, Sep 29, 4:00pm - 4:45pm
Mobile Services
Bookmobile stop: Huff Elementary – Hastings St. near the school – Elgin 60120 – 4:00-4:45

Mon, Sep 29, 5:00pm - 5:45pm
Mobile Services
Bookmobile stop: St. Francis Park – near Jefferson and Spring Streets – Elgin 60120 – 5:00-5:45

Mon, Sep 29, 6:00pm - 8:00pm
Main Library - Computer Training Room
Learn how to create an account on a popular video conferencing platform (Zoom) and build confidence when using features of the platform in an online meeting.
This event is full