Join award-winning author, journalist, and college professor Wayne Dawkins for an insightful discussion on his latest book, Sam Lacy and Wendell Smith: The Dynamic Duo that Desegregated American Sports.
The presentation will be held this Thursday, February 27, from 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm. at the Gettysburg branch of the Adams County Library
This compelling double biography explores the lives of two pioneering journalists who played a crucial role in breaking racial barriers in American sports—helping to shape the games, the media, and the culture we know today. Dawkins will also discuss the broader impact of Black trailblazers across industries, sharing perspectives from his extensive research and storytelling.
As Mark Whitaker, author of Smoketown: The Untold Story of the Other Great Black Renaissance and Saying It Loud: 1966-The Year Black Power Challenged the Civil Rights Movement notes:
“With meticulous research and lucid prose, Wayne Dawkins has given us a well-deserved tribute to Sam Lacy and Wendell Smith. It’s also an ode to the golden era of Black newspapers and Negro League baseball, and a testament to everything that was gained and lost with the integration of American sports and media.”
This event is for anyone who loves sports, history, journalism, or stories of resilience and progress. Whether you’re a lifelong learner, a fan of great storytelling, or simply curious about the forces that shaped modern American culture, you’ll find inspiration in this conversation.
Presented in collaboration with Patricia Green Rodgers of Stone of Scone Farm and The Patricia Green Group, this event is part of Green’s commitment to bring diverse and thought-provoking Black authors to Gettysburg.
Come for the history. Stay for the conversation. Leave with a deeper understanding of how two Black sports journalists advocated for the inclusion of Black players in the major leagues, changed the narrative on how Black athletes were represented in sports writing, and left a legacy for their pioneering efforts.
To register, visit: https://www.adamslibrary.org/event/author-talk-wayne-dawkins-61789
Charles (Chuck) Stangor is Gettysburg Connection's Owner, Publisher, and Editor in Chief. I would like to hear from you. Please contact me at cstangor@gettysburgconnection.org.