The Aurora Public Library District (APLD) continues to provide opportunities to engage in dialogue, offer programs centered around diversity and inclusion, and pursue efforts to create a better community, and we are delighted to share a distinctive opportunity to engage with a National Book Award winner and leading anti-racist scholar, Dr. Ibram X. Kendi
The Aurora Public Library District is excited to be a partner with 10 Illinois libraries to present Dr. Kendi from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. Monday, Nov. 9, to discuss his New York Times bestselling book How to Be An Antiracist. The book invites readers to think about all the different elements to an anti-racist society and challenges readers to action.
Dr. Kendi pursued a degree in journalism from Florida A&M University, and later obtained his doctoral degree from Temple University in African American studies. He has taught at SUNY (The State University of New York) Oneonta, SUNY Albany, the University of Florida, and American University. Dr. Kendi has been a visiting professor at Brown University and has resided at The John W. Kluge Center of the Library of Congress. For his extensive scholarship in universities, foundations, libraries, and professional organizations, he was awarded the prestigious Guggenheim Fellowship in 2019. Most recently, Dr. Kendi was listed in the top 10 most influential African Americans between the ages of 25 and 45 in The Root 100 for 2020.
Published in 2019, How to Be and Antiracist was preceded by Stamped From the Beginning: The Definitive History of Racist Ideas in America in 2016 and followed by Antiracist Baby in 2020, a picture book for children. His most recent titles include Be Antiracist: A Journal for Awareness, Reflection, and Action and the upcoming Four Hundred Souls: A Community History of African America 1619-2019.
Dr. Kendi’s presentation is not just an opportunity to learn something new. It is an opportunity to make small changes in our own lives to help make a larger impact on our communities. Krista Danis, events and program coordinator APLD said, “We’re excited to have National Book Award Winner Dr. Kendi, illuminate the ways in which our community can help build an anti-racist society together and as individuals. We hope customers engage with this conversation, which will be moderated by Natalie Moore, who covers segregation and inequality for Chicago’s WBEZ. Aurora has the opportunity to witness these two powerhouse anti-racist voices in conversation on a date marking the culmination of our first Study Circles round of community dialogue. I can think of no better call to action after six weeks of intense and sometimes difficult discussions!”
Event registration information will be available at aurorapubliclibrary.org/event/4628756. This event is presented by Arlington Heights Memorial Library, Aurora Public Library District, Deerfield Public Library, Glencoe Public Library, Highland Park Public Library, Lake Villa District Library, Northbrook Public Library, Schaumburg Township District Library, Skokie Public Library, Vernon Area Public Library, and Wilmette Public Library.