The Kansas City Public Library hosts film critic Shawn Edwards for a presentation on The Manifestation of the Black Hero on Screen on Wednesday, February 4, at 6:30 p.m. at the Central Library, 14 W. 10th St.

This presentation draws from contemporary films as well as the earliest days of cinema history in order to provide a complete perspective on how African Americans have been portrayed in film as heroes who face injustice while overcoming racist clichés and stereotypes.

Edwards is an award-winning film critic for WDAF-TV Fox 4 News and co-founder of the African American Film Critics Association.

This presentation complements Our Heroes, a film series compiled by Edwards that is screening every Monday and every Saturday throughout February 2009 in the Stanley H. Durwood Film Vault at the Central Library, 14 W. 10th St.