Friends Speaker Series at the Pleasant Street Center:

I Am Nobody's Slave: An Author Talk with Lee Hawkins

Join us to watch this recorded interview with Pulitzer Prize finalist author Lee Hawkins and stay for thoughtful discussion about the American experience, family history, resilience, and success.

Pulitzer Prize finalist Lee Hawkins grew up in Minnesota, and to suburban neighbors, his family embodied American strength and success, but behind closed doors, they faced the legacy of enslavement and apartheid. 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.

Stay for a thoughtful discussion following the author talk as we discuss family history, and 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.

Upcoming Events