Dr. Shirley Green, Director of the Toledo Police Museum and Adjunct Professor of History at Bowling Green State University and the University of Toledo, will present the 2024 Black History Month Guest Lecture, hosted by the Department of History.

Dr. Green will speak about her new book, Revolutionary Blacks: Discovering the Frank Brothers, Freeborn Men of Color, Soldiers of Independence (Westholme Publishing; 2023).  

Dr. Green began the research for this book as a PhD student at BGSU, beginning with her own family’s history. The narrative follows the lives of William and Benjamin Frank, two brothers who enlisted in Second Rhode Island Regiment during the American Revolutionary War in the spring of 1777. Their military experiences quickly diverged, and Dr. Green explores their stories to provide context and substance to the Black experience during the war years, as well as underscore the significant distinction between free Blacks in military service and those who had been enslaved, and how they responded in different ways to the harsh realities of racism. 

The public is welcome and encouraged to attend this free lecture. 

If you would like to stream this event via Zoom Webinars, please register using this link: https://bgsu-edu.zoom.us/webinar/register/9217073298637/WN_Z0BOYd3TSXiaYJ2AC5ytUg 

This lecture is presented by the Department of History  with support from the School of Cultural and Critical Studies and the Division of Diversity and Belonging. 

To individuals with disabilities, please indicate if you need special services, assistance or appropriate modifications to fully participate in this event by contacting Accessibility Services, access@bgsu.edu, 419-372-8495. Please notify us prior to any event.