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The Jersey City Free Public Library proudly announces the presentation of one of our country’s true heroes – Tuskegee Airman Lt. Calvin J. Spann – who will be one of the featured speakers at the 10^th Annual Black History Month program.

This special guest speaks because of the generosity of state, county, city official, library and foundation trustees, employees and friends, all of whom have contributed toward Lt. Spann’s speaking fee, because there has been no program money over the last 3.5 years due to the severe cuts to the library’s budget. All donors who made this program possible will be formally thanked the evening of the Black History Month program.

A precocious and smart young man, Calvin Spann was a Golden Gloves boxing champion at age 16 and left to join the war effort during his senior high school year. He passed a two-year college equivalency test, and at age 17, was called to serve in the Army Air Corps, one month before he would have graduated.

Lt. Spann has received many other prestigious honors, including being inducted into the New Jersey Aviation Hall of Fame, and being invited to The White House by President Barack Obama, along with other Tuskegee Airmen and their families, for a Veterans’ Day event. In 2006, Tuskegee University awarded Calvin a Doctor of Public Service degree.