Cleveland Public Library Presents the Power of Women – Writers & Readers Series 2022
The Library announces the 2022 Writers & Readers Series, stories of courage, commitment, and change.
Cleveland Public Library is hosting a series of candid conversations with four women who have redefined standards for race, culture, and society. It’s part of Writers & Readers which engages authors, academics, and public figures in discussions surrounding the books and stories that have shaped their lives. This year’s theme is Courage, Commitment, and Change.
2022 WRITERS & READERS SERIES
| AUTHOR | DATE |
|---|---|
| Misty Copeland | Saturday, March 19 |
| Anita Hill | Saturday, May 21 |
| Ashley C. Ford (in person) | Saturday, August 13 |
| Nikole Hannah-Jones | Saturday, November 19 |
New York Times bestselling and award-winning author and American Ballet Theatre principal dancer Misty Copeland will kick off the 2022 season of Writers & Readers on Saturday, March 19 at noon via Zoom. The first Black principal dancer at a major international dance company changed the face of ballet and made it possible for others to dare to dream of a different life. Her latest book, Black Ballerinas: My Journey to Our Legacy, pays tribute to Black Ballerinaswho have influenced her on and off the stage.
Clevelanders will also be inspired by a woman who is committed to stopping gender violence. Anita Hill will be the featured author on Saturday, May 21 at noon via Zoom. The Brandeis University law professor, attorney, and author of Believing: Our Thirty-Year Journey to End Gender Violence became a national figure in 1991 when she accused U.S. Supreme Court nominee and her supervisor Clarence Thomas of sexual harassment.
Hill’s new book, Believing: Our Thirty-Year Journey to End Gender Violence, is a new manifesto about the origins and course of gender violence in our society; a combination of memoir, personal accounts, law, and social analysis, and a powerful call to arms from one of our most prominent and poised survivors.
The summer conversation is with writer and podcaster Ashley C. Ford who has the courage to speak up about race, sexuality, and body image. She will visit Cleveland Public Library on Saturday, August 13 at noon. Much of her writing like Ford’s New York Times bestselling memoir, Somebody’s Daughter, covers personal topics about her life as a Black queer writer; her history as a survivor of sexual assault; and her experience as a child with a father in prison.
Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Nikole Hannah-Jones will discuss her latest project and her commitment to truth on Saturday, November 19 at noon via Zoom. Known for her coverage of civil rights and racial injustice, the Knight Chair in Race and Journalism at the Howard University School of Communications won the Pulitzer Prize for Commentary for her work on The 1619 Project: A New Origin Story which explores the history of slavery in the United States.
“Cleveland Public Library is proud to host four powerful and courageous Black women who are committed to change in this world,” said Dr. Sadie Winlock, Chief Equity, Education, and Engagement Officer at Cleveland Public Library. “Each woman has a different journey, and their stories will motivate others to transform their lives and communities. Any Clevelander who struggles to find their voice will discover it at Writers & Readers. We invite everyone to join us.”
All events are VIRTUAL unless noted. Attendees will receive a FREE copy of books from our featured authors. To register or for more information, visit cpl.org/writersandreaders.