Award-winning author Jeffrey Blount will discuss his new book, “Mr. Jimmy From Around the Way,” from 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 27, at Virginia Commonwealth University’s James Branch Cabell Library.

His wife, award-winning journalist and security analyst Jean Meserve, will moderate the discussion among the author and fellow VCU alumni Dabney and Joe Cortina and Emmy Award-winning director Jesse Vaughan. Beyond Mr. Blount’s book, they’ll discuss creativity and the power of longtime connections.

This event is free and open to the public, but registration is required. The event will be livestreamed through Zoom.

Mr. Blount, a VCU alumnus, is the author of three novels. His most recent book, “The Emancipation of Evan Walls,” won the 2020 National Indie Excellence Award for African-American fiction.

He also is an Emmy Award-winning TV director and a 2016 inductee into the Virginia Communications Hall of Fame.

During a 34-year career at NBC News, he directed a decade of “Meet the Press,” the “Today” show, “NBC Nightly News” and major special events. He is the first African-American to direct “Today.”

To register, visit https://www.support.vcu.edu/event/blount?ID=8-10158115

For more information, call (804) 828-1105.