Learning from Gordon Parks

Humanities Kansas

Learn about the impact and inspiration found in Parks' work. Themes of love, dignity and hard work provide a starting point to talk about his struggles and triumphs. Sponsored by Humanities Kansas. 

African American author, photographer and filmmaker Gordon Parks was well known for his documentation of American life and culture. Born in Fort Scott, Kansas, in 1912, he is one of the most esteemed image makers of all time. In this presentation, photographer Ann Dean discusses the impact and inspiration found in Parks’s books: The Learning Tree, A Choice of Weapons and Half Past Autumn. These books help illustrate Parks’s mother’s teachings centered in love, dignity, and hard work, and provide a starting point to talk about his struggles, choices, and triumphs – all great life lessons for those searching to find their way in this complicated world. Sponsored by Humanities Kansas. 

YWCA Book Club

The YWCA Racial Justice Book Club meets on the fourth Tuesday of every month. Join us in person at the library or via Zoom. This month the group will read The Learning Tree by Gordon Parks and attend this Humanities Kansas event about his life and work. If you'd like more information about the YWCA Racial Justice Book Club, sign up to receive meeting details and Zoom link: https://www.ywcaneks.org/bookclub

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