To mark the last day of Black History Month 2025, the Hammond Branch Library hosted a Black Excellence Forum last week for African American community members to discuss and advertise their local work.
Besides speaking about their books, art and jewelry to the audience, presenters had tables that displayed more of their work that people could peruse before and after the forum. It also allowed for attendees to have a chance to network and connect with the many authors, entrepreneurs and artists participating.
Hammond Branch manager Candess Robinson said she wanted the event to end Black History Month strong.
“I just wanted to spotlight our local African American entrepreneurs, authors and artists. Whatever you’ve got that’s positive in the community, I wanted to spotlight it,” Robinson said.
Among the tables in the library that night, there was also a mini-art exhibition showing off smaller art pieces by students from schools including Independence High Magnet and Loranger High.
The presentations opened with words from local jazz musician Reginald Sanders who discussed the importance of investing in children’s minds and libraries by telling stories of those who invented items many people use today and how those achievements are possible for any child.
Other presenters included singer and songwriter Titus Showers, author Kevin Brown, author and Hammond City Council Clerk Lisa Cockerham, author and jewelry maker Chantal Imes, author Jelisa Hayes and Omega Taylor, on behalf of Petra College’s president and founder Regina Gordon.
Each presenter told of their backgrounds then talked about their community plans. Hayes said writing her books has been a therapeutic experience for her. Brown said his writing takes a historical look at lesser-known facts of smaller Southern areas that people may not know unless they’ve been there a while.
Many of the presenters such as Showers, Imes and Cockerham talked of how their Christian faith played a heavy role in creating and tuning their crafts.
During Cockerham’s speech, she emphasized not only her spirituality and its help in writing her book, but also how it led her to Hammond and its city council. She implored those present to get involved in their local government.
“God is your answer, seek Him for your answer. But on the local level, there’s so much that you can do for your community. But you gotta get involved,” Cockerham said. “You gotta call your council people. They listen. They may not respond immediately, but they listen, and if you yell enough somebody’s gonna come see about you in your community.”
Taylor shared information and updates on the Petra College’s success, concluding that they just opened their Licensed Practical Nurse Program and Gordon plans to open a daycare center locally too.
Writer Taja Morgan, did not speak at the forum but was present to advertise her books at the beginning and end of the event.
The event concluded with refreshments and snacks as guests socialized in the library.
Robinson expressed her appreciation for everyone who came and said to look forward to more events such as the forum “not just for Black excellence, but for community excellence as well.”
