Black Excellence in Lawrence and Beyond

While every day is a good day to celebrate Black American leaders, we are now in the peak of Black History Month. Here I honor creative leaders in Black culture especially in literature, as well as film legend Kevin Willmott, and a visiting Black land advocate and author with a new book. Please read on to discover upcoming artful and literary happenings with local poets at the BLACK Lawrence Open Mic Night, opens a new window and notable presentations in collaboration with the Spencer Museum of Art, opens a new window, such as the renowned educator and quilting artist Marla A. Jackson, opens a new window.

Brea Baker

On February 20, Brea Baker, opens a new window, self-described “freedom fighter and writer”, will speak at Liberty Hall. She is the author of Rooted: The American Legacy of Land Theft and the Modern Movement for Black Land Ownership., opens a new window Her debut is a social history of land loss in Kentucky and North Carolina — injustices experienced by Indigenous Americans and Black Americans, including her own family. She emphasizes Black land ownership facilitates generational wealth and outlines hopeful pathways to move forward. Most joyfully, Brea and her wife Mariah got married on Bakers' Acres, their family's land. The Commons at KU is hosting Brea Baker for the annual Kenneth A. Spencer Lecture; Baker’s talk is titled: “Another Case for Reparations: Black Land, Intergenerational Theft, and Models for Repairing Harm.”

Kevin Willmott

Also this week Liberty Hall is hosting the Kevin Willmott Film Festival, opens a new window. The finale is a showing of C.S.A: Confederate States of America and post-screening conversation with Novotny Lawrence and Kevin Willmott. Willmott is a professor emeritus of the Film & Media Studies program at KU. Celebrate Professor Willmott's trailblazing career in filmmaking which wisely focuses on human rights with wry humor! Explore the full schedule and trailers, opens a new window for each of the featured films.

Well-Read Black Girl

Now I am compelled to highlight the book Well-Read Black Girl: Finding Our Stories, Discovering Ourselves: An Anthology, opens a new window. Local creative and NAACP Lawrence Branch President Ursula Minor shared her love for this collection a while back, and I'm finally getting my own opportunity to revel in these inspiring essays edited by literary advocate Glory Edim, opens a new window. I encourage all readers and writers to pick up this joyful read to discover insights from authors such as Lynn Nottage, opens a new window who recognizes the writers who make up her creative DNA! This anthology celebrates reading, literary ancestors from many authors, and expounds on influences and deep motivations for writing. Recognizing the empowerment found by Black women finding their own identity reflected in another's story with similar lived experiences, it's no wonder this book earned an NAACP Image Award!

The NAACP Image Awards

The 2025 NAACP Image Awards will be announced February 22; browse the nominees for Literature here, opens a new window. Categories include Outstanding Literary Work in Fiction, Non-Fiction, Debut Author, Graphic Novel, Poetry, Biography/Autobiography, Instructional, Youth/Teens, and Children.

BLACK Lawrence Open Mic Night

Returning to our local poets, the next BLACK Lawrence Open Mic Night is March 7, 2025, and every first Friday of September–November and January–May from 7–8:30 pm. Check out the event on the Lawrence Arts Center website, opens a new window for more details.

"Bold Women" at the Spencer Museum of Art

Finally, the Spencer Museum of Art is honoring Bold Women, opens a new window in their new featured expanded exhibition now through July 6, 2025. The related programming is noteworthy, including "Storytelling through Quilts with Marla A. Jackson" on May 4; she is an educator and quilting artist. Marla will present stories depicted in quilts along with a hands-on workshop. Find out about all the scheduled programs at this link, opens a new window and view the virtual exhibitions here, opens a new window.

Rooted, opens a new window

Well-Read Black Girl, opens a new window

C.S.A, opens a new window

Destination, opens a new window

The Only Good Indian, opens a new window

Jayhawkers, opens a new window

-Shirley Braunlich is a Readers' Services Assistant at Lawrence Public Library.