Celebrate African America Read-In with Two Authors Feb. 17, 19
January 21, 2022 — Join us to hear these authors in two exciting events as part of Springfield’s celebration of the African American Read-In.
Brandy Colbert, award-winning young adult author of “Little & Lion,” “The Voting Booth,” and “Black Birds in the Sky, The Story and the Legacy of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre,” will speak at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 17, via Zoom for the audience seated at the Library Center auditorium. A Q&A session will follow.
For more information, call 417-882-0714.
Charlotte Johnson Cosby, retired elementary school teacher and author of the children’s book, “Dad’s Mission: A Pictorial History of Colonel Frederick Drew Gregory, U.S. Astronaut,” will give a talk as part of a program from 3:30 p.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 19, at the Diversity Center (Historic Washington Avenue Baptist Church), on the Drury University campus, 803 N. Drury Lane.
A celebration cake will be served to attendees at these events.
More about the authors.
Brandy Colbert is a Springfield native and graduate of Missouri State University. She is the award-winning author of several books for children and teens, including The Voting Booth, The Only Black Girls in Town, The Revolution of Birdie Randolph, and Stonewall Book Award winner Little & Lion. She is co-writer of Misty Copeland's Life in Motion young readers edition, and her short fiction and essays have been published in a variety of critically acclaimed anthologies for young people. Her books have been chosen as Junior Library Guild selections, and have appeared on many best of lists, including the American Library Association's Best Fiction for Young Adults and Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers. She is on faculty at Hamline University's MFA program in writing for children, and lives in Los Angeles.
Charlotte Johnson Crosby says while traveling the globe with her United States Air Force Academy Graduate and Pilot spouse, she homeschooled many of their 11 children. She holds a Masters in Elementary Education from Drury University and enjoys encouraging others, including her children, to write their own story.
The events are sponsored by the Springfield African American Read-In; a collaborative partnership of Missouri State University Libraries, Springfield Public Schools, Springfield-Greene County Library District, Drury University and the NAACP Springfield Chapter.