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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 6:00PM

Mon, Jul 07 9:00AM to 9:00PM
Tue, Jul 08 9:00AM to 9:00PM
Wed, Jul 09 9:00AM to 9:00PM
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Fri, Jul 11 9:00AM to 6:00PM
Sat, Jul 12 9:00AM to 6:00PM
Sun, Jul 13 12:00PM to 5:00PM

About the Branch

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

Upcoming Events

Fri, Jul 11, 10:00am - 11:00am
Rakow Branch - Rakow - Lawn
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Fri, Jul 11, 10:00am - 11:00am
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Fri, Jul 11, 10:00am - 11:00am
Rakow Branch - Rakow - Awning
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Fri, Jul 11, 11:00am - 12:00pm
Main Library - Sally Lee Fox & Eagle Rooms
Do you love to draw? Ms. Carrie does. DROP IN for a drawing club where you can learn to draw a few items & then have time to color & share your creations. Each session will have a unique theme.

Fri, Jul 11, 3:00pm - 5:30pm
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Sat, Jul 12, 9:30am - 10:00am
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Bookmobile stop: Randall Ridge Park – 2835 Winchester Dr, Elgin 60124 – 9:30-10:00

Sat, Jul 12, 10:00am - 2:00pm
Main Library
This special day, brought to you by the Vituity Cares Foundation and St. Joseph Hospital Elgin, is packed with resources, entertainment, and services to help your family stay healthy and happy.

Sat, Jul 12, 10:15am - 10:45am
Mobile Services
Bookmobile stop: Meier Park – 3770 Gansett Pkwy, Elgin IL 60124 – 10:15-10:45

Sat, Jul 12, 10:30am - 11:30am
Main Library - Grove Room
Practice or improve your conversation skills with other French speakers. This discussion group will be in a friendly and relaxed atmosphere facilitated by Sue Aissaoui, who is a native speaker.

Sat, Jul 12, 11:00am - 11:30am
Mobile Services
Bookmobile stop: Heritage Park – 3140 Heritage Park Way, Elgin IL 60124 – 11:00-11:30

Sat, Jul 12, 12:00pm - 12:30pm
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Boathouse Park, Rocton Ave. Elgin 60124 12:00-12:30

Sat, Jul 12, 12:45pm - 1:15pm
Mobile Services
Bookmobile stop: Settlers Park - 3046 Sutton St, Elgin IL 60124 – 12:45-1:15

Sat, Jul 12, 1:00pm - 2:00pm
South Elgin Branch - South Elgin - Hoffer Meeting Room
Come assemble some greeting cards and bookmarks for back-to-school and autumn.