FREEPORT — Highland Community College’s Clarence Mitchell Library will present “The Green Book: Navigating the Journey to Equality,” at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 11 in the Clarence Mitchell Library for Black History Month.
Guest speaker and exhibitor Tammy Gibson will explore the historical significance of The Green Book, the challenges of racial discrimination it sought to address, its cultural impact on the African American community, and how it became a symbol of resilience, hope, and the fight for civil rights — offering a glimpse into the everyday lives of Black travelers during a time of profound social injustice. Gibson’s exhibit on The Green Book will be available in the library from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the day of her program.
Gibson is the founder of the Illinois Black History Museum, as well as an author, re-enactor and black history traveler. Her mission is to raise awareness and preserve pride in African American culture. She earned her B.A. in African American Studies from Chicago State University.
Gibson’s increasing interest in African American history has led her to travel extensively, exploring Africa and several cities throughout the United States to gather information about the hidden treasures of African Americans that are erased from history. Journaling the path of her ancestors, Gibson has visited several national parks, historical landmarks, museums, markers, cemeteries, slave plantations and sites of the Underground Railroad. On her journeys she has slept in slave cabins to honor the enslaved and met leaders of the Civil Rights Movement.
Gibson’s teaching of African American history through her travels, storytelling and collection of artifacts has inspired adults and youth to explore the importance of the events and people of the African diaspora. Her motto is: “Black history is more than 28 days.”
Gibson is a former contributing writer for the Chicago Defender and Chicago News Weekly.
This exhibit and event are free and suitable for all audiences. For more information on the program, contact Laura Watson at 815-599-3456 or laura.watson@highland.edu.