BCALA NEWS Volume 41, Issue 3


Summer 2014


39


News Anchor and Author Cheryl Wills Speaks to NYBLC


BY SHAUNTEE BURNS, NYBLC PRESIDENT


The New York Black Librarians’ Caucus hosted a book discussion of the book, Die Free: A Heroic Family Tale by Cheryl Wills.


PHOTO: (L TO R) CHERYL BRANCH, ALETTA SEALES, NY1 NEWS ANCHOR AND AUTHOR - CHERYL WILLS, PHYLLIS MACK, ENYINNAYA OKEZIE, DONALD PEEBLES, VICTORIA HILL; SEATED MEMBER UNIDENTIFIED”


Author and award winning television anchor and reporter for New York 1 News, Cheryl Wills passionately gave a power-point presentation on her book on Saturday Aug. 23, 2014 at the New York Public Library at Harlem, located at 9 West 124 Street. Phyllis Mack, a former president of NYBLC, welcomed Wills and the book discussion attendees and gave a brief history of the NYBLC before introducing NYBLC member Aletta Seales. Seales served as the moderator for the event and introduced Cheryl Wills to the audience. The audience


consisted of members of the NYBLC and their family and friends, librarians, members of the National Association of University Women – Long Island Branch, authors and patrons from the community.


Cheryl Wills began her presentation by showing a picture of her deceased father, Clarence Wills, who died when she was thirteen years old. She said that his tragic death was the reason she began her search on ancestry.com. ‘‘I wanted to find out about my father.” ‘‘Who was he?” After going to ancestry.com, the name ‘‘Sandy Wills” came up. Since she did not know a Sandy Wills in her family she hired a professional genealogist to determine the authenticity of the information that she found. The genealogist confirmed the information and thus began her research of primary sources such as census data, enlistment forms and depositions. During the presentation, Cheryl Wills talked about how Sandy Wills left the plantation where he was held as a slave and joined the United States Colored Troops, fought in the Civil War and was honorably discharged. He married Emma Moore, who after his death had to prove that she was entitled to his widow’s pension. Cheryl pointed out that her great-great-great-grandmother Emma Wills could only write an X on the depositions because slaves were not allowed to read or write. But, Emma Wills made sure that all of her children were able the read and write. Cheryl feels that although her father did not know the legacy of his ancestors, he, like his great- great-grandfather, was not afraid to take chances and live his life. Following the presentation there was a question and answer period. Cheryl Wills took the time to answer each question posed and listen to each statement made. She left us with the encouraging words to follow our feelings, do the research and write down our family history. The members of NYBLC who were present had an opportunity to take photographs with Cheryl Wills. We thanked her for her very animated presentation and were truly honored that she accepted the Caucus’ invitation to come to the library to talk about her book, Die Free: A Heroic Family Tale.


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