Library guest speaker to discuss diversity in special event tonight

In honor of Black History Month, Jill Warford, executive director of the Gordon Parks Center for Culture and Diversity in Fort Scott, will speak at the Nevada Public Library meeting room, Tuesday, Feb. 22, at 7 p.m.

Gordon Parks was born in Fort Scott in 1912 and became one of the country's most influential photojournalists.

In addition he published the autobiographical novel, "The Learning Tree," based on recollections of his life in Kansas. It was made into a movie, one of the first directed by an African American filmmaker, and was filmed in Fort Scott.

"As a world traveler, a poet, an actor, a filmmaker and a photojournalist, Mr. Parks is undoubtedly one of the most interesting Americans of our time," said Library Director Susan McBeth, in a press release.

Warford's presentation will be about the Gordon Parks Center for Culture and Diversity at Fort Scott Community College and the life and works of Parks.