The histories of trees in America are also the histories of Black Americans. Pecan trees were domesticated by an ens laved African named Antoine\; sycamore trees were both havens and signpost s for people trying to escape enslavement\; poplar trees are historically associated with lynching\; and willow bark has offered the gift of medicin e. These trees\, and others\, testify not only to the complexity of the Bl ack American narrative but also to a heritage of Black botanical expertise that\, like Native American traditions\, predates the United States entir ely.
\nIn \;When Trees Testify\, award-winning p lant biologist Beronda L. Montgomery explor es the ways seven trees\, as well as the cotton shrub\, are intertwined wi th Black history and culture. She reveals how knowledge surrounding these trees has shaped America since the very beginning. As Montgomery shows\, t rees are material witnesses to the lives of enslaved Africans and their de scendants.
\nCombining the wisdom of science and history with storie s from her own path to botany\, Montgomery talks to majestic trees\, and i n this unique and compelling narrative\, they answer.
\nRegister today for this insightfu l discussion about Black history and botanical mastery. \;
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About the Author: \;Beronda L. Montgomery\, PhD\, is a writer\, researcher\, and schola
r who pursues a common theme of understanding how individuals perceive\, r
espond to\, and are impacted by the environments in which they exist. Her
primary laboratory-based research has been focused on the responses of pho
tosynthetic organisms (i.e.\, plants and cyanobacteria) to external light
cues. Additionally\, Beronda pursues this theme in the context of effectiv
e mentoring and leadership of individuals\, and the role of innovative lea
ders in supporting success.
Beronda is author of two books \;< a href="https://www.linkin-libraries.org/iii/encore/record/C__Rb12968752__ SMontgomery%2C%20Beronda%20L.__Orightresult__U__X4?lang=eng&\;suite=def ">When Trees Testify: Science\, Wisdom\, History\, and America&rsquo\; s Black Botanical Legacy \;(2026\, Henry Holt and Co.) and&nb sp\;Lessons Fr om Plants \;(2021\, Harvard University Press).
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Please Regi
ster for link to program.
Live Virtual Author Talks&n
bsp\;- \;This new series through Library Speakers Consortium
offers live online talks by bestselling authors of books in a variety of g
enres. Participants receive a link to the program when they register. Plea
se see https://libraryc.org/gail
borden \;to register and also view recorded videos of past speaker
s.