Charis and the Auburn Avenue Research Library on African American Culture and History welcome you for a multimedia celebration of Atlanta author Ruth P. Watson's historical novel, A Right Worthy Woman. Free RSVP on the author's website here: https://www.ruthpwatson.com/
Join the author and friends for a pre-reception in the Library's Artist and Writer's lounge from 6-7 pm where you will enjoy refreshments and the vocal stylings of Ms. Ronda Thomas. The literary portion of the evening begins at 7 pm in the auditorium where guests will be treated to a brief theatrical presentation by Leslie Cooper and Eugene H. Russell IV, followed by an interview and discussion of A Right Worthy Woman with the author, Ruth P. Watson, and Atlanta radio personality, Twanda Black.
Copies of the book will be available for purchase at the event. Copies of Ronda Thomas' CDs will also be available for purchase from the artist.
This event takes place at the Auburn Avenue Research Library (101 Auburn Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30303) and is free and open to the public. No ticket or reservation is required to attend. Books will be available for purchase from Charis Books and More. Masks are encouraged but not required. The auditorium portion of the event will be simulcast on the Auburn Ave Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/AuburnAvenueResearchLibrary/) for community members who do not wish to attend live and books are available online for pre-order now and may be shipped anywhere in the U.S.
About the book:
Maggie Lena Walker was ambitious and unafraid. Her childhood in 19th-century Virginia helping her mother with her laundry service opened her eyes to the overwhelming discrepancy between the Black residents and her mother’s affluent white clients. She vowed to not only secure the same kind of home and finery for herself, but she would also help others in her community achieve the same.
With her single-minded determination, Maggie buckled down and went from schoolteacher to secretary-treasurer of the Independent Order of St. Luke, founder of a newspaper, a bank, and a department store where Black customers were treated with respect. With the help of influential friends like W.E.B. DuBois and Mary McLeod, she revolutionized Richmond in ways that are still felt today. Now, her rich, full story is revealed in this stirring and intimate novel.
About the Author:
Ruth P. Watson is the author of Blackberry Days of Summer, An Elderberry Fall, Cranberry Winter, and Strawberry Spring. A musical stage play, Blackberry Daze, is based on her debut novel. She is the recipient of the Caversham Fellowship, an artist and writer’s residency in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, where she published her first children’s book in Zulu, Our Secret Bond. She is a freelance writer and member of Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, and has written for Upscale, Atlanta Journal-Constitution, and other publications. She is an adjunct professor and project manager, who lives with family in Atlanta, Georgia.
About the vocalist, Rhonda Thomas:
A New York City native and Atlanta, GA resident who performs nationally and internationally, Rhonda Thomas was a featured soloist and background vocalist for Isaac Hayes for 11 years before his untimely passing. Rhonda served in that capacity while remaining extremely focused on elevating her solo musical career. She hails from the Atlanta underground soul scene having performed with renowned artist India.Arie, Donnie (Motown), and is a member of the soul bossa group, Jiva. Rhonda has performed or shared the stage with Luther Vandross, Roberta Flack, The String Cheese Incident, Roy Ayers, Frank McComb, Dwele, Eric Roberson, Avery Sunshine and Sam Moore (of the legendary duo Sam and Dave) just to name a few. With her enchanting voice, Rhonda has stamped her name on the hearts of all that have witnessed her singing live.
About the actors:
Eugene H. Russell IV A recipient of the prestigious Woodie King, Jr. Award for his lead performance in "Before it Hits Home" with St. Louis Black Rep, Eugene's performances haven't been limited to stages & screens. This award-winning actor has also been heard on radio as a voiceover artist, vocalist, & saxophonist. It is this wide range of artistic experiences that's responsible for Eugene's flexible, grounded approach to the work. Eugene is a proud graduate of Tennessee State University and an even prouder native of Atlanta.
About the conversation partner, Twanda Black
Twanda Black is the Host of “Good News Gospel'' every Sunday from 7 am to 12 noon on WPGN Radio Atlanta. Twanda served as the
Public Affairs Director for KISS 1041.1 fm for over 25 years where she served as the liaison between the station and the community and hosted the public affairs talk show
“Business in the Black” every Sunday. Twanda is the host for the syndicated show, Inspirations Across America, airing in 28 markets in the USA. She also hosts the television show Good News with Twanda Black on PG TV and Hosts the Black Entertainment Gospel Video Show on the Bee TV Network in the Lagrange and Alabama viewing areas.
She is also a Voice Over Talent and a Mary Kay Beauty Consultant! Twanda is married to Emory, has two adult sons and is a member of Grace Baptist Church in Stockbridge,
GA. Follow her:TwandaBlack.com Instagram @The_Real_Twanda_B FB @Twanda Black
In the vein of The Personal Librarian and The House of Eve, a “remarkable and stirring novel” (Patti Callahan Henry, New York Times bestselling author) based on the inspiring true story of Virginia’s Black Wall Street and the indomitable Maggie Lena Walker, the daughter of a formerly enslaved woman who became the first Black woman to establish and
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