Athens native Michael Thurmond will sign copies of A Story Untold: Black Men and Black Women in Athens History at The Classic Center from 4–6 p.m. Saturday.

Thurmond has updated the book for its 40th anniversary.

In 1986, Thurmond became the first African-American elected to the state legislature from Athens since Reconstruction. He served as state labor commissioner from 1997–2010, becoming the first non-incumbent African-American to win a statewide race in Georgia. After a failed run for Senate, he became superintendent of the DeKalb County school system, and was elected CEO of DeKalb County in 2016.

He is also the author of Freedom: Georgia's Anti-Slavery Heritage, 1733-1865.

The signing and reception are sponsored by the Athens Historical Society, the Athens Area Black History Committee and the Hot Corner Celebration and Soul Food Festival.