Lancaster Live & Learn Series 2026 - The William Whipper Reading Circle

In honor of the late Lenwood “Leni” Sloan of Lancaster, known and revered as an historian, cultural steward and self-described “catalytic agent,” the African American Historical Society of South Central Pennsylvania and the Lancaster Public Library will continue to host and support the series of free public events Sloan organized last year before his unexpected passing. Titled “Lancaster Live & Learn: Animating Democracy 2026 —The William Whipper Reading Circle,” the overall series has been named in honor of William Whipper (1804-1876), the noted 19th century entrepreneur from Columbia, Lancaster County who rose to national prominence as an author and an activist who advocated for Black civil rights and was a conductor of the secretive work of the Underground Railroad.

According to an outline Leni Sloan prepared for this series, William Whipper began the reading circle in his Philadelphia home to bring together thought leaders and change agents. Each meeting explored…