Event honors contributions of African-American authors

Lincoln Public Schools hosted an African-American Read-In event on Thursday, featuring LPS staff, students and community members reading and performing excerpts from African-American literature and sharing stories about the authors and their work.

The hour-long event, held in conjunction with Lincoln City Libraries, explored African-American history and the contributions of African-Americans in the world of literature and the arts. It’s part of a nationwide literacy initiative during Black History Month, with similar events happening across the country.

Reading and speaking at Thursday’s event were:

• Shanna Letcher, LPS student advocate for the African-American community, and Michael Hunter Jr., LPS district transition specialist
• Linda Anderson, receptionist, Lincoln North Star High School
• Joy Harvey, LPS library media services coordinator
• DaWon Baker, diversity and inclusion director, University of Nebraska-Lincoln Athletic Department
• Marshawna Kapke, student and speech team member at North Star
• Wendy Hunt, assistant director of diversity and inclusion, Nebraska Wesleyan University
• TRACKS Empowerment Scholars, Belmont Elementary School
• Tosh Jock, LPS bilingual liaison
• William Bryant, LPS student advocate for the African-American community
• Brenda Ealey, Lincoln City Libraries

Lincoln City Libraries will host a second African-American Read-In on Feb. 20, noon to 1 p.m., at the Loren Eiseley Branch Library, 1530 Superior St.

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