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Lit Chat Interview with Rodney Hurst Sr.

This Lit Chat Interview is a 60-minute program consisting of a 40-minute conversation between author and Civil Rights Activist Rodney Hurst Sr. and and interviewer TiLena Robinson followed by 20 minutes of audience Q&A. A book signing will follow, with books available for sale on site.

Rodney Lawrence Hurst Sr., is a civil rights activist, a Black historian, and the award-winning author of four books. Hurst is a native of Jacksonville, Florida, and a 1960 high school graduate of segregated Northwestern Junior-Senior High School in Jacksonville. He was the sixteen-year-old President of the Jacksonville Youth Council NAACP and was one of the leaders of the 1960 sit-in demonstrations.

His first book, "It Was Never About a Hot Dog and a Coke®!" is a personal account of the 1960 sit-in demonstrations in Jacksonville, Florida, and Ax Handle Saturday. Hurst’s fourth book, “Black and Brilliant,” written for 12-18-year-olds, reflects on the legacy of Black America with Hurst’s remembrances as a pre-teen and a young teenager and the influences on his life to make him proud of his Blackness and piquing his interest in Black History.

He has won countless awards for his books and his civil rights work. He is responsible for numerous "firsts" in the Jacksonville Community. Some being Hurst was one of the thirteen original national recipients of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting Television Fellowships and he co-hosted a television talk show as the first Black person in Jacksonville on PBS Channel WJCT.

Did you know that all of our Lit Chat authors' books count toward your Jax Stacks Reading Challenge completion? Find out what other authors we're hosting this year and join in the fun! 

Registration is required for this event, and must be completed two hours prior to the start time. A library card and PIN are required for registration. If you do not have a card, click HERE to obtain one.

PLEASE NOTE:

1. Seating for the program will begin at 2:00 pm.

2. The maximum capacity of this venue is 35. Registered attendees will be seated first come, first serve. Bring your library card (physical or on the JaxLibrary app) for faster check-in.

3. Waitlisted attendees and walk-ins will be seated if seats are available. There may be a short wait as registered customers are seated.

4. All registered seats will be forfeited at 2:25 pm and made available to waitlisted and walk-in attendees. Registered attendees arriving after this time will be seated if seats are available.

5. A limited number of books will be available for sale on site by a local bookstore.

Pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, accommodations for persons with disabilities are available upon request. Please allow 1–2 business days to process. Last-minute requests will be accepted, but may not be possible to fulfill. Please ask for Learning Services at 255-2665 or email JPLPrograms@coj.net.

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