Lincoln Public Schools, City Libraries host 13th annual African American Read-In celebrating storytelling and civic reflection

LaFeya Helmstetter opened the 13th annual African American Read-In with a land acknowledgement, saying the land "should be returned to the indigenous people or they should be fairly compensated" for loss of language, culture and autonomy. The event, held in Lincoln and presented in partnership with Lincoln Public Schools and Lincoln City Libraries, brought students, educators and community members together for readings, songs and reflections.

Peter Ferguson, who identified himself as multicultural coordinator and assistant supervisor of recruitment, framed the program around access to literature and opportunity: "Access to stories is access to possibilities," he said, urging attendees to consider which voices they had been given and which had been missing from their bookshelves.

Students and community presenters read poetry, children's literature and personal essays. Morgan "Moe" Boyd read from Be a King, encouraging young people to "stand for peace" and to "build bridges, not walls." Tia Chisholm, president of the African People's Union at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, read Langston Hughes' "Let America Be America Again," and Jamal Smith, an African American advocate for Lincoln Public Schools, offered Hughes' "As I Grew Older," both readings emphasizing systemic barriers and resilience.

Tiffany Childress, representing the Foundation for Lincoln City Libraries, read Blue, The Many Ways I Feel and described plans for related programming in 2026. Ryan Weaver, director of Lincoln City Libraries, highlighted upcoming library offerings — including a program on artist Aaron Douglas, a "Stories of Us" author series at Bennett Martin Library, and the accession of a mural by Jevon Woods into the city's art collection — as examples of the libraries' role in preserving and sharing cultural history.

Regina Sullivan, founder and executive director of the Marvely nonprofit, read from Grief Is Love and spoke about non-linear grieving after the overdose death of her son; her remarks connected personal loss with community support resources. Chanel Taylor McCarthy, a reporter for 10/11 News, read from a memoir and reflected on how writing and storytelling shape identity and civic life.

Event organizers underscored partnership across institutions. Chris Heffner, director of school libraries for Lincoln Public Schools, said the program affirmed "why our school libraries exist" and closed the formal program with a reading by Kwame Alexander. Transition specialist Michael Hunter offered final thanks to partners, including Lincoln City Libraries, Lincoln Public Schools, the Multicultural Education Department, the City of Lincoln, LNK TV, LPS Communications, Link to Literacy and the Martin Luther King Youth Rally.

The Read-In combined artistic performances with civic reflection and local announcements; the libraries' forthcoming programs and exhibits — and the schools' continuing emphasis on representation in collections — were presented as practical next steps. The event concluded with applause and an invitation for continued public engagement in reading and cultural programs.