Past Live Events

Detroit Public TV and PBS Books are producing a new series of When I’m 65 virtual events to address concerns related to the Coronavirus pandemic and beyond — arming viewers with trusted information about what to do about their finances in troubled times. Watch Live

Join author Laurie Wallmark and illustrator Brooke Smart to discuss Code Breaker, Spy Hunter, the story of Elizebeth Friedman, Americas first female cryptanalyst on Wednesday, March 31 at 5pm ET on Facebook Live and YouTube Live. Elizebeth Friedman uncovered Nazi spy rings, took down gangsters,  created the CIA’s first cryptology unit, and saved thousands throughout World War II, and beyond. Friedman is an excellent example of a Trailblazing American Woman! During the event, you’ll gain insights into the author and illustrator’s process as they share Elizebeth Friedman’s amazing story. After the event, learn more about Elizebeth by watching The Codebreaker on […]

The Detroit Economic Club hosted Sheryl Sandberg, Chief Operating Officer of Facebook, in an exclusive interview with Vickie Thomas March 23, 2021. About Sheryl Sandberg Sheryl Sandberg is chief operating officer at Facebook, overseeing the firm’s business operations. She also serves on Facebook’s board of directors. Prior to Facebook, Sheryl was vice president of Global Online Sales and Operations at Google, chief of staff for the United States Treasury Department under President Clinton, a management consultant with McKinsey & Company, and an economist with the World Bank. Sheryl received a BA summa cum laude from Harvard University and an MBA with highest distinction […]

PBS Books continued its Trailblazing American Women Writers Project Series with poet and activist Sonia Sanchez on March 18. Sanchez is known as a leader of the Black Arts Movement, and has written over a dozen books of poetry as well as essays, plays, and children’s books. She is known as the first poet to use urban Black English in written form, using rhythm to change the world of poetry. Along with being a leader in the Black Arts movement, she was and continues to be active in the Civil Rights movement. About the Series The PBS Books Trailblazing American Women […]

PBS Books and ASALH celebrated Black History Month February 28th with acclaimed Kenyan author Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o who discussed his recent book The Perfect Nine: The Epic of Gĩkũyũ and Mũmbi, along with scholars Nubia Kai and Sundiata Keita Cha-Jua. The book is a dazzling modern epic, myth and feminist re-imagining of Kenya’s origins, which subverts patriarchy and promotes social equity. They discussed elements relevant to today’s struggles for social justice, gender equity and spiritual rebirth while illuminating eternal African values essential for wholesome family life.   About the Author – Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o is a perennial favorite […]

PBS Books, in partnership with ASALH, hosted a virtual conversation with trailblazer Dr. Mae Jemison on Wednesday, February 3, 2021. During the interview, Dr. Mae discussed her newly re-released memoir “Finding Where the Wind Goes.”  You’ll hear about her various and diverse experiences—all which make her a trailblazer. This program is perfect complement to our Trailblazing Women Series offered during the 100 year celebration of the ratification of the 19th Amendment, and our Celebration of African American Life and History during Black History Month. Dr. Mae Jemison, the world’s first woman of color in space, is truly a modern hero with […]

Pausing for a moment of post inaugural reflection, following one of our nation’s most contentious presidential elections, this conversation brings together filmmaker, scholar, journalist and cultural critic, Henry Louis Gates, Jr. with prominent historian Eric Foner to contemplate how a divided nation comes together. The two will discuss Reconstruction, the all-too-brief period following the Civil War when the United States made its first effort to become an interracial democracy. The period saw the Constitution rewritten to incorporate the ideal of racial equality, but ended as a result of a violent backlash that erased many of the gains that had been made, […]

PBS Books continued its Trailblazing American Women Writers Project Series with its second program highlighting incredible poet Marilyn Chin and Poetry In America’s Elisa New, on January 12 . We heard from Executive Producer and Founder Elisa New and why she featured Marilyn Chin in a recent Poetry In America episode. Then, got insights from Marilyn Chin about her background, her process, and work. About the Poet Marilyn Chin is an award-winning poet and author. Born in Hong Kong and raised in Portland, Oregon, her works have become Asian American classics and are taught in classrooms internationally. Marilyn Chin’s books of […]

PBS Books hosted a virtual conversation with writer Ben Vanstone from PBS MASTERPIECE on December 13, 2020. As the writer and Executive Producer, Vanstone discussed the new adaptation of All Creatures Great and Small, the classic story written by James Herriot. All Creatures Great and Small chronicles the adventures of veterinarian James Herriot in 1930s Yorkshire. The seven-part series based on Herriot’s books will air on  Sundays, January 10 – February 21, 2021 at 9/8c. About the Writer Ben received stellar reviews for his adaptation of Laurie Lee’s classic novel Cider with Rosie for the BBC, starring Samantha Morton and Tim Spall. […]