Events for February 17, 2023 - December 20, 2022

PBS Books, in partnership with the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH), is pleased to interview Dr. Randal Maurice Jelks, author of “Letters to Martin: Meditations on Democracy in Black America”. His book contains 12 meditations on contemporary political struggles for our society. The moderator of the conversation will be Venise Wagner. Written in the form of letters to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jelks will provide insights his work that speaks specifically to the many public issues we presently confront in the United States—economic inequality, freedom of assembly, police brutality, ongoing social class conflicts and geopolitics. [...]

Wednesday, Jan. 26 at 8pm ET | 5pm PT, PBS Books, in partnership with Poetry In America and the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH), is pleased to present a conversation with poet Evie Shockley, historian Robin D.G. Kelly, and actress LisaGay Hamilton, which will be led by Poetry In America Executive Producer and Creator Elisa New. Highlighting Poetry In America’s Season 3, Episode 4, Elisa New will interview poet Evie Shockley about her satiric humor poem “you can say that again, billie,” which is inspired by Billie Holiday’s haunting song “Strange Fruit.” Shockley will converse [...]

A conversation about serving the news and information needs of our nation  Thursday, Feb 10 at 8pm ET | 5pm PT, PBS Books is pleased to host The New Era of Modern Journalism: a conversation with Evan Smith, who is the CEO and Co-Founder of The Texas Tribune, a pioneering nonprofit, nonpartisan media outlet, in conversation with journalist Errin Haines, Editor-At-Large of The 19th*. Having recently announced his departure from The Texas Tribune, Evan Smith will discuss his background and career, the current state of journalism and its future.   The conversation will touch on the importance journalism to our democratic system, [...]

Tuesday, Feb 15 at 8pm ET | 5pm PT, PBS Books, in partnership with the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH), is pleased to host a conversation with scholar and author Harriet A. Washington, discussing African American health and inequities. As a medical ethicist, Harriet Washington has a unique and courageous voice and deconstructs the politics around medical issues, including ‘scientific racism.’ In this conversation, she will share about the powerful and disturbing portrait of medicine, race, sex, and the abuse of power. Washington also makes the case for broader political consciousness of science and technology, [...]

Wednesday, March 23 at 8pm ET | 5pm PT, PBS Books, in partnership with Poetry In America and the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH), is pleased to present a conversation with poet Tracy K. Smith, in conversation with Poetry In America Executive Producer and Creator Elisa New, discussing Robert Frost’s “Mending Wall” in honor of his birthday.