Tamika D. Mallory with J'nelle Agee and New York City Public Advocate Jumaane Williams: I Lived to Tell the Story: A Memoir of Love, Legacy, and Resilience

Activist Tamika D. Mallory joins us to discuss her new book I Lived to Tell the Story: A Memoir of Love, Legacy, and Resilience with Executive Director of Editorial at EBONY Media J'nelle Agee and New York City Public Advocate Jumaane Williams.

This event will take place in person at the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Library on the 7th Floor.

A powerful and heartfelt memoir of perseverance and triumph over tragedy from Tamika D. Mallory, trailblazing social justice leader and cofounder of the Women’s March.

In this candid and defiant memoir, a follow-up to her “masterful” (Marc Lamont Hill, New York Times bestselling author) response to the murders of Breonna Taylor and George Floyd, State of Emergency, Tamika D. Mallory holds nothing back as she shares hers, the activist’s life.

From early days as daughter to Black civil rights activists in Harlem, New York, to a young Black woman’s first battles against the physical and political violence she’d fight all her life, to the never-before-shared personal and professional crises launched by those forces intent on keeping her silent, this is a work of activism in motion and an unflinching story of America at the turn of the 21st century.

Ultimately, I Lived to Tell the Story is a celebration of the profound truth that our hearts grow closest when we discover that the values we share are grounded in personal truths as well as high-minded aspiration.

To join the event in person | Doors will open 30 minutes before the program begins. For free events, we generally overbook to ensure a full house. Priority will be given to those who have registered in advance, but registration does not guarantee admission. All registered seats are released shortly before start time, and seats may become available at that time. A standby line will form 30 minutes before the program.

ABOUT THE SPEAKERS

Tamika D. Mallory is a trailblazing social justice leader, movement strategist, globally recognized civil rights activist, cofounder of Until Freedom and the historic Women’s March, and author of I Lived to Tell the Story and State of Emergency. She served as the youngest ever executive director of the National Action Network. Her speech in the wake of the murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis, Minnesota—entitled “State of Emergency”—was dubbed “the speech of a generation” by ABC News. Mallory is an expert in the areas of gun violence prevention, criminal justice reform, and grassroots organizing.

J'nelle Agee currently serves as the Executive Director of Editorial at EBONY Media. She's responsible for shaping and refining the brand's editorial voice and content strategy across the EBONY.com platform. J'nelle leads the coverage of daily current cultural events and develops innovative digital content franchises. She's previously worked at MSNBC and at Oprah Daily, where her work was recognized as a Webby honoree. She is a proud alumna of Spelman College and received a master's degree in sports management from Columbia University and a second master's degree in journalism from Northwestern University. J'nelle is a member of the National Association of Black Journalists, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, and The Links, Incorporated.

Jumaane D. Williams is the Public Advocate of the City of New York. Previously, he served on the NYC Council representing the 45th District. Jumaane is a first-generation Brooklynite of Grenadian heritage. He graduated from the public school system, overcoming the difficulties of Tourette's and ADHD to earn a Master's Degree from Brooklyn College. He began his career as a community organizer at the Greater Flatbush Beacon School and later served as the Executive Director of NYS Tenants & Neighbors. There, he fought for truly affordable, income-targeted housing across New York City and State. In the NYC Council, Jumaane championed landmark legislation that fundamentally transformed policing in NYC. Jumaane sponsored the Community Safety Act, reforming the City's Police Department by ending the abuse of Stop, Question & Frisk in communities of color and creating the NYPD's Office of Inspector General to investigate unlawful & unethical behavior. As former Co-Chair of the Council’s Task Force to Combat Gun Violence, he helped create New York’s Crisis Management System, which funds Cure Violence Groups that work to reduce shootings through a multi-pronged approach. The program fundamentally transformed the city’s approach to gun violence prevention, and as Public Advocate he continues to work for its expansion and improvement today. Jumaane has led the fight for better policing and safer streets, affordable housing, and transparency and accountability in City government. As Public Advocate, Jumaane will continue to be an activist-elected official who brings the voices of everyday New Yorkers to City government and makes New York a truly progressive beacon for all.

GET THE BOOK

• Borrow: NYPL Catalog


• E-Book app: SimplyE, available on iOS and Android


• This event will also include signing and sales of the book by our Library Shop.

Don't have a New York Public Library card? Get one here!

ACCESSIBILITY NOTES

In-Person

• Assistive listening devices and/or hearing loops are available at the venue.


• You can request a free ASL (American Sign Language) interpretation or CART (Communication Access Real-Time Translation) captioning service by emailing your request at least two weeks in advance of the event: email accessibility@nypl.org or use this Gmail template.


• This venue is fully accessible to wheelchairs.

CONNECT WITH US

Don't have a New York Public Library card? Get one here!

Sign up for our e-newsletters to stay up to date on upcoming events and Library offerings.

Please submit all press inquiries to Lizzie Tribone at least 48 hours before the event: email lizzietribone@nypl.org.
 

SUPPORT THE LIBRARY

The New York Public Library's free services and resources are made possible thanks to the support of the Friends of the Library. Join this group of Library lovers and take advantage of special membership benefits, like invitations to members-only virtual events, discounts at the Library Shop, and more. Join now.

All programs are subject to change or cancellation. All programs are subject to recording and photography.

The 7 Stories Up Series at SNFL is made possible by the Stavros Niarchos Foundation (SNF).