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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, Feb 10 9:00AM to 9:00PM
Tue, Feb 11 9:00AM to 9:00PM
Wed, Feb 12 9:00AM to 9:00PM
Thu, Feb 13 9:00AM to 9:00PM
Fri, Feb 14 9:00AM to 6:00PM
Sat, Feb 15 9:00AM to 6:00PM
Sun, Feb 16 12:00PM to 5:00PM

About the Branch

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

Upcoming Events

Tue, Feb 11, 9:15am - 9:45am
Rakow Branch
Join us for stories, rhymes, and songs in this interactive Storytime. Ages 1-3 years old with adult caregiver.
Registration is now closed

Tue, Feb 11, 10:00am - 1:00pm
Main Library - Lobby - Concierge
Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi’s staff will be available to discuss and assist with federal issues you and your family are facing.

Tue, Feb 11, 10:00am - 10:30am
Rakow Branch
Join us for stories, rhymes, and songs in this interactive Storytime. Ages 1-3 years old with adult caregiver.
Registration is now closed

Tue, Feb 11, 10:30am - 12:00pm
Main Library - Computer Training Room
New to computers or need a refresher on how to get started? Learn how to use the mouse and keyboard, pick up basic computer skills and browse the internet in this series. Sponsored by Comcast.
Registration is now closed

Tue, Feb 11, 10:45am - 11:15am
Rakow Branch
Preschoolers will enjoy stories, songs, and activities. Ages 3-5 years old
Registration is now closed

Tue, Feb 11, 1:00pm - 2:00pm
Mobile Services - Sprinter
711 E Chicago Street, Elgin IL 60120

Tue, Feb 11, 2:00pm - 2:45pm
Mobile Services
Bookmobile stop: State Street Towers – main entrance – 104 S. State St. – Elgin 60123 – 2:00-2:45

Tue, Feb 11, 3:00pm - 3:45pm
Mobile Services
Bookmobile stop: Eastside Neighborhood Garden – Borsford Pl., near Channing & Division – Elgin 60120 – 3:00-3:45

Tue, Feb 11, 3:30pm - 4:30pm
Mobile Services - Sprinter
901 Center Street Elgin, IL 60120

Tue, Feb 11, 4:00pm - 5:30pm
In The Community
Those with dementia and their care partners are invited for a social event and resources at South Elgin Public Works Building, 1000 Bowes Rd. RSVP 847-289-5848.

Tue, Feb 11, 4:30pm - 6:00pm
Main Library - Meadows Community Rooms AB
Are you a fan of BTS, Blackpink, Stray Kids, or other K-pop groups? Come enjoy your favorite K-pop songs while you make buttons, shrink-plastic charms, and other crafts.

Tue, Feb 11, 4:45pm - 5:45pm
Rakow Branch
We are thrilled to offer a kid's book club! This program is a 4-week series that combines reading, critical thinking, and hands-on activities to enrich the experience.
Registration is now closed

Tue, Feb 11, 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Main Library - Conference Room
Acompáñanos mientras discutimos el título de este mes. Conversación en español y inglés. Recoge tu libro o Kindle en la sección de español para adultos.

Tue, Feb 11, 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Main Library - Studio 270*
Share your current favorite, listen to what others are reading, and learn about new teen books you will love, and of course, pizza. Registration Required.

Tue, Feb 11, 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Virtual
You’re invited to a riveting conversation with Waubgeshig Rice to chat about his newest book Moon of the Turning Leaves, bestseller Moon of the Crusted Snow's hotly anticipated sequel. Please register
Register

Tue, Feb 11, 6:30pm - 7:30pm
Main Library - Meadows Community Room C
Participantes de nivel intermedio, practican conversaciones en inglés, adquieren confianza y mejoran su pronunciación. El grupo es liderado por un tutor de Literacy Connection. Favor registrarse
Registration is now closed

Tue, Feb 11, 7:00pm - 8:00pm
Main Library - Elgin Room
Monthly meeting of the Library Board which is generally held on the second Tuesday of the month.

Wed, Feb 12, 9:15am - 9:45am
Rakow Branch
Join us for stories, rhymes, and songs in this interactive Storytime. Ages 1-3 years old with adult caregiver.
Registration is now closed

Wed, Feb 12, 9:15am - 9:45am
Main Library - Meadows Community Rooms ABC
Families are invited to share stories, rhymes and musical activities together in this interactive storytime. For ages 1-3 with an adult caregiver. Drop-in program! No registration required.

Wed, Feb 12, 10:00am - 10:30am
Rakow Branch
Join us for stories, rhymes, and songs in this interactive Storytime. Ages 1-3 years old with adult caregiver.
Registration is now closed

Wed, Feb 12, 10:45am - 11:15am
Rakow Branch
Preschoolers will enjoy stories, songs, and activities. Ages 3-5 years old
Registration is now closed

Wed, Feb 12, 11:00am - 1:00pm
Mobile Services
Bookmobile Stop in Freshway parking lot

Wed, Feb 12, 3:00pm - 3:45pm
Mobile Services
Bookmobile stop: Mulberry Grove Park – 1770 Newbridge Cr. – Elgin 60123 – 3:00-3:45

Wed, Feb 12, 4:00pm - 4:30pm
Mobile Services
Bookmobile stop: Westridge Blvd. & Cedarfield Dr. – Bartlett 60103 – 4:00-4:30

Wed, Feb 12, 4:30pm - 5:00pm
Mobile Services
Bookmobile stop: Rushmore Drive, Bartlett 60103 – 4:30-5:00

Rescheduled
Wed, Feb 12, 4:45pm - 5:45pm
New date Tuesday, February 11, 4:45pm - 5:45pm
Rakow Branch
We are thrilled to offer a kid's book club! This program is a 4-week series that combines reading, critical thinking, and hands-on activities to enrich the experience.

Wed, Feb 12, 5:15pm - 6:00pm
Mobile Services
Bookmobile stop: Blue Heron Park – 350 Blue Heron Way – Bartlett 60103 – 5:15-6:00

Wed, Feb 12, 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Main Library - Elgin Room
Aprende en la biblioteca. Participa con otras personas que hablan español o inglés como primer idioma. Learn at the Library with native English and Spanish speakers.

Wed, Feb 12, 6:30pm - 7:30pm
Main Library - Meadows Community Rooms ABC
Professional vocalist Jeorge Holmes was born and raised in Elgin. Come be inspired and entertained through music and stories--as he performs everything from Sinatra and Presley--to Pavarotti.

Wed, Feb 12, 7:00pm - 8:00pm
Main Library - Computer Training Room
Learn how to identify the working parts of a computer, assemble & disassemble components and perform basic repairs in this two-part, hands-on series.

Wed, Feb 12, 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.