Wayne County Reads is returning and giving the community a chance to discover a side of UNC-Chapel Hill’s legendary Coach Dean Smith that many do not know.
Through the book Game Changers by Art Chansky and some insightful programs, participants can learn how Dean Smith’s recruitment of Charlie Scott, the first African-American scholarship athlete at UNC-CH, became a groundbreaking move that led to challenges on and off the court and helped transform a university, a community, and the racial landscape of sports in the South.
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For those who cannot get to the book now, having read it is not necessary for understanding and appreciating the programs, set for for Thursday nights in February:
* “A Moderated Book Discussion with the Author, Art Chansky,” 7 p.m., Feb. 9 at the Goldsboro Library on Ash Street in Goldsboro
author – Art Chansky will discuss what led him to write Game Changers and will recount the stories of Charlie Scott and Dean Smith.
author – Art Chansky will discuss what led him to write Game Changers and will recount the stories of Charlie Scott and Dean Smith.
* “An Evening with Phil Ford and Dick Baddour,” 7:30 p.m., Feb. 16 at the Paramount Theatre on Center Street, downtown Goldsboro – An evening of conversation with former UNC-CH basketball player and Assistant Coach Phil Ford and former UNC-CH Athletic Director Dick Baddour. They will discuss the life of Coach Dean Smith, the legacy of Charlie Scott, and more.
* “Local Game Changers,” 7 p.m., Feb. 23 at the Goldsboro Library – Former coaches, athletes, officials and educators will share first-hand accounts of the integration of sports in Wayne County.
WCC’s Erwin Library has one copy of the book. You can access a digital copy through the NCLIVE Homegrown eBook collection.
Copies of the book are also available at Wayne County Public Library locations, through the Libby app, and at Books-A-Million.
Wayne County Reads is a one book, one-community project started in Wayne County, N.C. in 2004. In addition to discussing each book’s literary merits, WCR provides free public programs such as lectures, exhibits, performances, films, discussions, demonstrations, contests and festivals that explore the themes and issues in the books.
Wayne Community College is a partner in the project along with Wayne County Public Library, Literacy Connections, University of Mount Olive Library, Seymour Johnson Air Force Base Library, Wayne County Public Schools, and Wayne Country Day School.