My Dad: The Man - Black Daughters in Praise of Their Fathers - A Special Conversation at OPC

Dr. Carol Adams My Dad: The Man Black Daughters in Praise of Their Fathers: Dr. Carol Adams in Conversation at OPC. The Obama Presidential Center Branch invites you to an inspiring after-hours conversation celebrating Dr. Carol Adams’ My Dad: The Man, featuring contributing authors Linda Johnson Rice, Melody Spann Cooper, Natalie Moore, and Tracie Hall.This powerful collection brings together the stories of 25 women who reflect on their fathers as foundational influences in their lives, identities, and success. Among the featured essays is Linda Johnson Rice’s “Chosen,” a moving tribute to her father, John H. Johnson, pioneering publisher and founder of Ebony and Jet magazines.Join us for an evening of storytelling, reflection, and conversation honoring Black fathers, Black daughters, family legacy, and the powerful relationships that help shape who we become. Linda Johnson Rice is a distinguished business executive, civic leader, and member of the Chicago Public Library Board of Directors. She formerly served as Chairman and CEO of Johnson Publishing Company, the iconic Chicago-based publisher of Ebony and Jet magazines and owner of Fashion Fair Cosmetics.  Natalie Y. Moore is an award-winning Chicago journalist, author, playwright, and Chicago Sun-Times columnist. She is a senior lecturer at Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism, where she also directs audio journalism programming. Melody Spann Cooper is Chairwoman and CEO of Midway Broadcasting Corporation and an accomplished communications leader with more than 30 years of experience in media, marketing, and community engagement. Tracie D. Hall is a librarian, author, curator, and arts advocate who served as executive director of the American Library Association from 2020–2023 and became the first African American woman to lead the organization. Accessibility Need sign language interpretation or other accessibility assistance for this event? Please call (312) 747-8184 or email access@chipublib.org to request accommodations. Requests must be made at least 14 business days before the event. Photo Credit:  Austin Weekly News. (2024). Carol Adams. Habilitative systems celebrates 4th annual race and health equity awards. photograph. Retrieved September 9, 2026, from https://www.austinweeklynews.com/2024/12/16/habilitative-systems-celebrates-4th-annual-race-and-health-equity-awards/. (2026). Melody S. Cooper. Lifetime Achievement Award recipient. photograph. Retrieved September 9, 2026, from https://chicagodefender.com/woe-member/melody-spann-cooper/.  American Library Association. (2023). Executive Director Tracie D. Hall to Depart from the American Library Association. photograph. Retrieved September 10, 2026, from https://www.ala.org/news/2016/09/executive-director-tracie-d-hall-depart-american-library-association. PEN America. (n.d.). Natalie Y. Moore. photograph. Retrieved September 10, 2026, from https://pen.org/profile/natalie-y-moore/.  The Crusader News Group. (2024). Dr. Carol Adams. Habilitative Systems, Inc. hosts 4th Annual Race and Health Equity Awards. photograph. Retrieved September 9, 2026, from https://chicagocrusader.com/ha....