Pasadena Celebrates Black History Month - 2021
2/1/21.
The City of Pasadena is celebrating Black History Month by recognizing the achievements and contributions of Black Americans and their central role in our nation’s history with virtual programs, events, and activities for all ages. Pasadena Public Library; the Parks, Recreation, and Community Services Department; and the Pasadena Black History Committee are offering a month-long series of programs in February. Library programming is sponsored by The Friends of the Pasadena Public Library. The Parks, Recreation, and Community Services Department and Pasadena Black History Committee are holding events in lieu of Pasadena’s 39th Annual Black History Month Parade and Festival.
Paris-born columnist and award-winning novelist Reavis Z. Wortham will be at the Paris Public Library on Saturday for a âcome and goâ book signing.
Due to ongoing Covid-19 precautions, there will be no discussion before the signing, and masks are encouraged but not required. The event is scheduled for 1 to 3 p.m.
The cover of author Reavis Z. Wortham s new book, Laying Bones. Submitted Photo
Wortham was born in Paris, but lived and was educated in Dallas, spending most weekends, vacations and holidays in Chicota, in north Lamar County, with family. He attended Eastfield Junior College in Mesquite and earned a B.S. in industry management from East Texas State University (now Texas A&M Commerce), before earning a teaching degree and going to work for the Garland ISD. He retired from GISD as communications director.
Submitting.
Born Gladys Cleet in Jesmond, South Shields, of Scots-Irish descent, she grew up in Newcastle. She loved to write as a child, penning short plays for classmates to perform, sending her poems to BBC Children’s Hour, and writing her first novel as a teenager. Her pen name (and preferred name) Alanna was derived from her mother’s maiden name, Allan.
After studying at a local commercial college, she got a job as a secretary at Newcastle University where she met her future husband Alistair Knight, a scientist, on a blind date to the theatre. They married in 1951 and were together for 57 years, until Alistair’s death in 2008.