photo by: New Society Publishers

"Engage, Connect, Protect: Empowering Diverse Youth as Environmental Leaders" by Angelou Ezeilo, from New Society Publishers.

Thursday night at Liberty Hall, author Angelou Ezeilo will discuss her book, “Engage, Connect, Protect: Empowering Diverse Youth as Environmental Leaders,” which seeks to dispel the myth that environmental issues are primarily of interest to wealthy white communities.

Her work reveals why communities of color are largely unrecognized in the environmental movement and calls on businesses, educators and policymakers to recognize the work of grassroots activities in diverse communities. Ezeilo is the CEO of the Greening Youth Foundation, which connects under-represented youth and young adults to the outdoors and careers in conservation.

Kristin Soper, the programs and events coordinator with Lawrence Public Library, who is organizing the event, said they were looking to host an event on environmentalism and diversity, and that “Angelou Ezeilo is the perfect person.”

Soper said the library had an interest in hosting another forum about these topics after their successful 2018 event with J. Drew Lanham, a certified wildlife biologist and author of the essay “Birding While Black.”

Thursday night, Ezeilo will be joined in conversation by Jasmin Moore, the Lawrence-Douglas County Sustainability Director. After discussing Ezeilo’s book, there will be a question-and-answer session.

The event begins at 7 p.m. and is free to the public. Copies of Ezeilo’s book will be available for purchase after the event and a book signing will follow the talk.