William “Bill” Clay Sr., Missouri’s first black congressman, discusses his new book, “The Jefferson Bank Confrontation: The Struggle for Civil Rights in St. Louis,” with area high-school students in Edison Theatre Jan. 9. The book recounts St. Louis’ most successful civil rights movement, which began in August 1963 and for which Clay spent 105 days in jail but which ultimately opened employment opportunities in banking and other industries. The talk was sponsored as part of a National Endowment for the Arts’ Big Read program centering on Harper Lee’s “To Kill a Mockingbird,” perhaps the most widely read book exploring race in the United States. For a complete calendar of events related to the Big Read or to obtain a reader’s guide, visit bigread.wustl.edu or call 935-4407.