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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 9:00AM to 9:00PM

Mon, Mar 31 9:00AM to 9:00PM
Tue, Apr 01 9:00AM to 9:00PM
Wed, Apr 02 9:00AM to 9:00PM
Thu, Apr 03 9:00AM to 9:00PM
Fri, Apr 04 9:00AM to 6:00PM
Sat, Apr 05 9:00AM to 6:00PM
Sun, Apr 06 12:00PM to 5:00PM

About the Branch

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

Upcoming Events

Wed, Apr 02, 10:00am - 12:00pm
Mobile Services
Bookmobile stop in Freshway parking lot

Wed, Apr 02, 11:30am - 1:00pm
In The Community
Un programa diseñado especialmente para adultos mayores de la comunidad hispana, con el objetivo de promover la socialización a través de una variedad de actividades.

Wed, Apr 02, 12:00pm - 1:00pm
Main Library - Meadows Community Rooms ABC
Music Director Chad Goodman & ESO Violinist Robbie Herbst will lead discussions about upcoming ESO concerts, repertoire, guest artists, special events and other Symphony-related topics. Register

Wed, Apr 02, 2:00pm - 2:45pm
Mobile Services
Bookmobile stop: Willow Lakes Estates – club house – 161 W. River Road – Elgin 60123 – 2:00-2:45

Wed, Apr 02, 3:00pm - 3:45pm
Mobile Services
Bookmobile stop: Highbury Dr., east of Waverly – Elgin 60120 – 3:00-3:45

Wed, Apr 02, 3:30pm - 4:30pm
Mobile Services - Sprinter
Well Child Center - 620 Wing St, Elgin, IL 60123

Wed, Apr 02, 4:00pm - 4:45pm
Mobile Services
Bookmobile stop: Woodview Circle – corner of Woodview Cr. & Chicago St., Elgin 60120 – 4:00-4:45

Wed, Apr 02, 4:00pm - 5:00pm
Rakow Branch - Rakow - Shales Living Room
Spring Break fun continues with this fun activity! Register to join us making a cute Perler bead creation while sipping on a special potion!
Registration is now closed

Wed, Apr 02, 4:30pm - 6:00pm
Main Library - Meadows Community Rooms ABC
Do you own a small business and want to take it to the next level? Join us for a special workshop! Registration not required. El taller también se impartirá en español. No es necesario registrarse.

Wed, Apr 02, 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Virtual
Step into Spring with us as we chat with the highly acclaimed New York Times bestselling author Jodi Picoult about her newest novel, By Any Other Name. Please Register
Register

Wed, Apr 02, 7:00pm - 8:30pm
Main Library - Conference Room
The Walking Book Club meets weekly on Wednesday evenings at 7:00 pm to walk, followed by the book discussion at 7:45 pm at the Main Library.

Wed, Apr 02, 7:00pm - 8:30pm
Main Library - Computer Training Room
In this series, learn how to use Microsoft Excel to manipulate, format, and organize numbers and other types of data. Sponsored by Comcast Internet Essentials.
Registration is now closed

Thu, Apr 03, 9:30am - 11:30am
Rakow Branch - Rakow - Computer Cafe
Get help with common tech issues like Microsoft Office, using a tablet, hotspots, syncing email with your phone, downloading content, and more. Drop in for personalized assistance at your library.

Thu, Apr 03, 12:00pm - 1:00pm
Main Library - Elgin Room
Enjoy live music and discussion of the upcoming ESO concerts, and Venezuela's music education program, El Sistema.

Thu, Apr 03, 1:00pm - 2:00pm
Main Library - Meadows Community Rooms ABC
This program includes a high-energy, fast-paced comedy juggling & variety show for all ages.  

Thu, Apr 03, 2:00pm - 4:00pm
Main Library
Drop in to watch the movie Wicked! We'll have candy, some wickedly-cool buttons, and other DIY crafts.

Thu, Apr 03, 4:00pm - 5:00pm
Mobile Services - Sprinter
425 Dundee Ave. – Elgin 60120

Thu, Apr 03, 4:00pm - 8:00pm
Main Library - Grove Room
Free tax preparation for individuals & families who qualify for the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program.

Thu, Apr 03, 6:30pm - 7:30pm
Main Library - Elgin Room
Discover the extraordinary story of The Quiet Hero and the timeless values of bravery, resilience, and selflessness it embodies. Understand the legacy of sharing your story! Please register

Thu, Apr 03, 6:30pm - 7:30pm
Main Library - Conference Room
Usando material de USCIS que incluye preguntas de educación cívica, el formulario de solicitud y otros requisitos para la entrevista de ciudadanía.
This event is full

Thu, Apr 03, 7:00pm - 8:00pm
Rakow Branch
It's almost Opening Day at Wrigley Field! Come hear a spirited overview of The 1906-1910 Cubs Dynasty: Rowdy Times and Rugged Men in Cutthroat Chicago. Gary covers some of Chicago's greatest history.

Thu, Apr 03, 7:00pm - 8:30pm
Main Library - Computer Training Room
Learn how to backup, store, and share photos with family and friends using Google Photos. Sponsored by Comcast Internet Essentials.

Thu, Apr 03, 7:00pm - 8:30pm
Main Library - Meadows Community Room C
This writer's peer group will inspire and motivate you using prompts and exercises for creative writing. Writers of all genres are welcome to participate. Please Register.