Photo courtesy of The Library Foundation for Sarasota County

The Library Foundation for Sarasota County is celebrating its 10th Anniversary with its annual sellout event, the Love Our Libraries Author Luncheon. This year’s event returns in person on February 3, 2022, at the Sarasota Municipal Auditorium and will celebrate all the important ways Sarasota's local library system supports our community. The event will feature Emmy Award-winning filmmaker, author, cultural critic and journalist Dr. Henry Louis Gates, Jr.  As host of the popular PBS series Finding Your Roots, Dr. Gates has helped to expand America’s sense of itself, stimulating a national conversation about identity with humor, wisdom and compassion. 

“We are delighted to bring Dr. Gates to Sarasota for our 10th Anniversary Author Luncheon,” said Library Foundation Executive Director Alisa Mitchell. “We look forward to welcoming everyone on February 3 for a wonderful afternoon as we celebrate all the gifts our libraries bring to our community.”

In addition to being an award-winning filmmaker and journalist, Professor Gates has authored or co-authored 25 books and created 23 documentary films. In his most recent book, “The Black Church: This is Our Story, This is Our Song,” Gates presents a powerful new history of the Black church in America, taking readers on a 400-year journey where the church has been the Black community’s abiding rock and fortress.

For more information or to purchase tickets, call 941-404-3139 or visit the Library Foundation website at sarasotalibraryfoundation.org. Tickets start at $150.

Photo courtesy of The Library Foundation for Sarasota County