Juneteenth author talk with Louisa Jaggar

Join Ames Public Library for a conversation with Louisa Jaggar, author of “Sprouting Wings: The True Story of James Herman Banning, the First African American Pilot to Fly Across the United States,” Friday, June 16, at 4 p.m. in the Library’s Auditorium.

Jaggar will speak about Black aviators and Banning’s experiences in Ames, sharing stories she uncovered in her research on Banning’s time as an electrical engineering student at Iowa State College and as an early aviator. Learn where he and fellow African Americans lived, how his community helped him build a plane, and more.

The conversation will also feature actor Kevin Mambo, who will perform in “The Greatest Story Never Told,” about the life of Banning at the Juneteenth event in Bandshell Park on June 17. Mambo has appeared on Broadway and won two Daytime Emmy’s for his role on “Guiding Light.”

Presented in partnership with Ames Public Library, Ames Public Library Friends Foundation, and the Ames Branch of the NAACP.