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Lansing Library to offer variety of Black History Month events in February

Watergate security guard presentation, Just Mercy discussion, Black history Kahoot, and Black soldiers in world wars among programming planned for Black History Month

By Josh Bootsma

LANSING, Ill. (January 31, 2022) – As Black History Month begins again this year, the Lansing Public Library has a variety of events and presentations scheduled to honor the impact African-Americans have had on our country.

Below is the schedule of events, as stated on the Lansing Library’s website and confirmed by Library Director Lisa Korajczyk:

Throughout February

  • There are Black History-related biographic displays throughout the library, and patrons are invited to grab a fill-in sheet and note where the displays are in the library. The sheets will then be entered into a drawing for a gift certificate.
  • Every day the library will feature a different African-American inventor in the library’s display window.

Saturday, February 12

Just Mercy book discussion — In a partnership with the Lansing Human Relations Commission, the library is hosting a book discussion on Just Mercy, written by Bryan Stevenson. “The founder of the Equal Justice Initiative in Montgomery, Alabama recounts his experiences as a lawyer working to assist those desperately in need, reflecting on his pursuit of the ideal of compassion in American justice,” says the library website.

The event is from 1 – 2:30 p.m. in the Community Room, located on the lower level of the library.

Tuesday, February 15

Black History Month Kahoot – The description of this event reads, “Martin Luther King, Malcolm X, Rosa Parks; When it comes to Black History Month we tend to hear the same names and often are unaware of other Black names that made history. Come join us with a Black History Month Kahoot to see if you know names outside the norms.”

The event starts at 4 p.m. in the Community Room, located on the lower level of the library. Internet-enabled devices are needed for this event.

Wednesday, February 16

Black History Month
Jasmine Guillory. (Photo from lansingpl.org.)

An Evening with Jasmine Guillory – Bestselling author Jasmine Guillory will discuss the importance of real life and the modern rom-com. “Jasmine Guillory is a writer, lawyer and New York Times bestselling author of six romance novels, including The Wedding Date, The Proposal, and While We Were Dating. … Jasmine specializes in romance novels featuring African-American professionals,” says the event description.

The event starts at 7 p.m. in the Community Room, located on the lower level of the library. Zoom participants are asked to register online.

Tuesday, February 22

The Man Who Brought Down a President: The Saga of Frank Willis – Frank Willis was a 24-year-old Black security guard that was crucial in the unraveling of the Watergate scandal. “Most of us are familiar with the Watergate Scandal that changed the presidency as we know it. But all of the whispered conspiracies, public denials, and secret sources would not have existed if a 24-year-old security guard’s decisive actions on a summer night in June of 1972 [had] not initiated what would become a snowball of epic proportions. In this special live presentation, we tell you about the story of a man, just doing his job, that ended up doing so much more,” says the event description.

This event starts at 6:30 p.m. and is available only on Facebook Live through the library’s Facebook page.

Monday, February 28

Black Soldiers in WWI and WWII by Art T. Burton – In a program presented by the library and the Lansing Historical Society, author and historian Art T. Burton will bring an in-depth look at African Americans that fought for the USA in the First and Second World War.

The event starts at 6 p.m. on the stage, located on the upper level of the Lansing Library.

The Lansing Public Library is located at 2750 Indiana Avenue.

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Josh Bootsma
Josh Bootsma
Josh is Managing Editor at The Lansing Journal and believes in the power and purpose of community news. He covers any local topics—from village government to theatre, from business openings to migratory birds.