The Hate U Give Film Screening and Panel Discussion

Banned Books Week

Banned Books Week invites Teens and Young Adults to a Special Screening of "The Hate U Give" and conversation.

A special showing of The Hate U Give the 2018 adaptation of Angie Thomas' award-winning novel on police brutality, systemic racism, and the Black Lives Matter movement, and one of today's most challenged books. In addition, the library has invited local thought leaders to participate in a community panel discussion following the screening. You can learn more about the panelists below.

Copies of The Hate U Give will be distributed to the first 100 registrants, sponsored by the D.C. Public Library Foundation and Mahogany Bookstore.

Meet the Panel:

Soyica Diggs Colbert is the Idol Family Professor of African American and Performing Arts at Georgetown University. She is also an Associate Director at the Shakespeare Theatre Company in Washington, D.C., and the author of several books, including, Radical Vision: A Biography of Lorraine Hansberry. Colbert's writing was featured in The New York Times, Washington Post, Public Books, Metrograph, and American Theatre. In addition, she has been interviewed on NPR and commented for the New York Times, USA Today, CNN, and the Washington Post.

Amena Johnson is a non-profit leader, higher education student affairs professional, and adjunct faculty centered on students, social justice, diversity, inclusion, and educational equity. She specializes in diversity and inclusion topics, curriculum development, training, facilitation, and program management. She is particularly interested in organizations focusing on education, social justice, LGBTQ populations, women, and people of color.

Linda K. Harllee Harper was born and raised in D.C. with an unapologetic love for the city, its rich history, and its residents currently serving as the Director of the Office of Gun Violence Prevention. Director Harllee Harper is an experienced advocate and champion of positive youth outcomes for court-involved youth and their families in the District of Columbia and nationally. An experienced, proven leader and change agent in juvenile justice, criminal justice, public safety, and social services with over fifteen years of progressively growing experience shaping and managing public safety responses, restorative justice policies, and youth development programs to improve the lives of our undervalued, underserved, and at-promise youth and their families.

Eric C. Peterson is a recognized facilitator and educator in the diversity and inclusion space with over 20 years of experience in unconscious bias, diversity and inclusion, learning strategies, and organization development.

Upcoming events