Authors Make Timely Visits To The New Rochelle Library This Month

NEW ROCHELLE, NY — The New Rochelle Public Library can be a place to explore passions or find a muse, but this month, two unique events promise to challenge perceptions.

The New Rochelle Public Library announced that two author talks have been scheduled this month addressing critical issues facing our society today.

Update: The talk originally scheduled for March 21 has been postponed to a date to be determined.

On Thursday, March 21, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:15 p.m., Anthony Arnove and Haley Pessin, editors of "Voices of a People’s History of the United States in the 21st Century: Documents of Hope and Resistance," will lead a discussion centered around the speeches, essays, poems, and calls to action that have shaped the fabric of contemporary America. From Black Lives Matter to #MeToo, from Indigenous struggles to immigrant rights activism, organizers say this event will explore the voices of hope and resistance that echo across our nation.

On Saturday, March 23, at 12:30 p.m., Fatimah Gilliam will present her groundbreaking book, "Race Rules – What Your Black Friend Won’t Tell You." Organizers say that "Race Rules" offers a new voice to the dialogue on race while saying the quiet parts out loud, providing rare access to what many Black people won’t say to white people — but that Black people secretly think and feel about white people’s behaviors and choices. Gilliam's perspective on race relations distills complex issues into an accessible guide for all audiences. Her work has garnered praise from notable figures and scholars, including Darren Walker, Angela Davis, Congressman Jamaal Bowman, and Rabbi Sharon Brous. Discussion and audience Q&A will be moderated by Candace Pinn. Registration for this program is requested and can be done here.

"At the New Rochelle Public Library, we are committed to providing our community with opportunities for meaningful dialogue and education," Tom Geoffino, Director of the New Rochelle Public Library, said. "These author talks exemplify our dedication to fostering understanding and engagement around important issues. We invite everyone to join us for what promises to be enlightening and thought-provoking discussions."

Author/Moderator Bios

Anthony Arnove is the editor of several books, including, with Howard Zinn, Voices of a People’s History of the United States and Terrorism and War. Arnove co-founded the nonprofit education and arts organization Voices of a People’s History of the United States, wrote, directed, and produced the documentary The People Speak, and directed stage and television versions of The People Speak in Dublin and London, and across the United States with various arts groups. He produced the Academy Award–nominated documentary Dirty Wars. Arnove is on the editorial boards of Haymarket Books and Tempestmag.org and is the director of Roam Agency, where he represents authors including Arundhati Roy and Noam Chomsky.

Haley Pessin is a socialist activist living in Queens. They have participated in struggles against police brutality and mass incarceration, in solidarity with Palestine, in defense of abortion rights and reproductive justice, and as a legal service worker and union delegate for 1199SEIU (Service Employees International Union). Pessin has spoken at conferences in Switzerland, Australia, Ireland, Quebec, and throughout the United States on the struggle for Black liberation. Their writing has appeared in New Politics and at Tempestmag.org, where they currently serve on the editorial board.

Fatimah Gilliam, Esq. is an author, lawyer, consultant, public speaker, and entrepreneur whose career combines expertise in the law, diversity, human capital, leadership, stakeholder engagement, and negotiations. Gilliam is the founder and CEO of The Azara Group, which provides diversity and inclusion, leadership development, negotiation, and strategy consulting services to Fortune 500 corporations, senior executives of billion-dollar businesses, and industry thought leaders. She holds a law degree from Columbia Law School, a master in public policy from Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government, and an undergraduate degree from Wellesley College.

Candace Pinn, an independent consultant and retired educator, with 30 years of educational experience and 26 years of service to the New Rochelle community. She is the President of the Westchester Alliance of Black School Educators (WABSE) and has served in this capacity for over 11 years. Candace is a native of Brooklyn and holds a BS in General Engineering from Tufts University, a MS in Computer Science from the NYU College of Engineering and an MA in Education from Columbia Teachers College.

Find out more about The New Rochelle Public Library (NRPL) on their website.