Join West End Service Station in Edwardsville February 27 as speaker Dr. Gina Lathan explores the Black experience on America's most iconic roadway! Lecture begins at 6:30 p.m. and ends at 8 p.m. Registration is limited to 30 people and is required- register by emailing Carol at cmatteson@riversandroutes.com. There will be a West End Station African American History display coinciding with this lecture from Jan 1-Feb 28.

The Black Experience along Route 66 lecture features Dr. Gina Lathan, President of Route History, a museum that highlights the experiences, tragedy, resilience, and excellence of Black people along historic Route 66. The Route History Experience serve as reminders of the tenacity of vital Black-owned businesses, communities, and people that paved an invaluable historic and economic trail during the Jim Crow Era along Route 66. D. Lathan's lecture covers economic successes, Civil Rights, community development, and historic figures in Brooklyn, East St. Louis, Springfield, Bloomington, Joliet, & Chicago, IL. Dr. Lathan is a graduate of University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign with a PHD in Community Health with specializations in Public Policy and Program Evaluation and she has earned a Master of Public Health from the University of Illinois-Springfield.