On June 11 at 2 p.m., the Friends of Seaside Public Library present “Oregon’s Black History: 450 Years in 45 Minutes,” featuring  Zachary Stocks, public historian and the executive director of Oregon Black Pioneers.

Stocks will trace the history of people of African descent who have lived and worked in Oregon since before the founding of the earliest English-speaking settlements in the Americas. While popular history seeks to exclude the presence of African Americans in Oregon before the mid-20th century, this presentation will bring new light to the historic legal and social marginalization of African Americans in Oregon. This disparity has influences still today in housing access, community investment, and policing.

Stock’s presentation will showcase key individuals and events that characterize Oregon’s history and centuries-old Black history including individuals who have lived and worked right here on the Oregon Coast.

Stocks previously served as program director of Historical Seaport and visitor services manager of Northwest African American Museum. He is currently a seasonal park ranger at Lewis and Clark National Historical Park. He holds a bachelor’s degree in history from the College of William & Mary. He lives in Astoria.

The author will hold a Q&A afterwards. 

The Seaside Public Library is located at 1131 Broadway. For more information call 503-738-6742 or visit www.seasidelibrary.org.