Joy Michael Ellison Book Signing at Wakefield Books

Willi Ninja: Vogue Legend is an inspiring story of the incomparable dancer Willi Ninja, Grandfather of Vogue and star of the film Paris Is Burning. With an accessible text and dynamic illustrations, Joy Michael Ellison and Nabi H. Ali trace Willi’s path against the odds as he brings his signature moves to the dance style known as vogue and finds his spotlight at the Harlem drag balls where a performer known as Willi Ninja is born. Providing context, community, and comprehension of queer and trans culture for young history buffs, the lively narrative is followed by back matter delving into more details about Willi Ninja and what life was like during his time.

Joy Michael Ellison is a writer, a professor of Gender and Women’s Studies at University of Rhode Island, and a grassroots, community activist. Their published books include Sylvia and Marsha Start a Revolution! They are interested in using stories, both fictional and true, to build community, document social movements, and imagine a liberated world, and believe that storytelling is integral to healing, transformation, resistance, and survival.

No registration required for this in-store event.