Author Talk: Lily Qi on "Elected American"

Meet Maryland legislator Lily Qi as she opens up about her memoir Elected American

Join us as Bards Alley welcomes state delegate Lily Qi for a discussion about her memoir Elected American: From Red China to Blue Maryland.

In the book, Qi reflects on her childhood in Cultural Revolution-era Shanghai, her journey to the United States as a college student, and her election to the Maryland General Assembly, where she has represented Montgomery County since 2019. She will be in conversation with another speaker (to be confirmed) and stay for a book signing afterward.

Free registration is required at this link: eventbrite.com/e/md-legislator-lily-qi-from-red-china-to-blue-maryland-tickets-1998495654300?aff=ebdsoporgprofile

ABOUT THE BOOK

Thirty years after her solo journey to America, Chinese-born Lily Qi became a Maryland state delegate. It was a gratifying moment she did not take for granted. Qi had overcome a viral WeChat disinformation campaign from her Chinese community and was met with skepticism from the Democratic establishment before being elected.

Elected American tells the inspirational story of Qi’s dreams, setbacks, and achievements with candor and humility. Growing up in Mao’s Shanghai, when “politics meant danger,” she never imagined running for public office. However, living in America, Qi came to see political participation as a missed opportunity for immigrants. As she campaigned to energize her cultural base, Qi realized she had to teach first-time voters how to make their votes count in a system not designed for them.

As the only U.S. state legislator who lived through China’s Cultural Revolution, Qi brings a rare cross-system perspective to American politics and modern-day Asian American identity. Elected American is a political memoir and an immigrant story that emphasizes that democracy doesn’t wait on the sidelines—it favors those who participate.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Lily Qi has served in the Maryland House of Delegates since 2019, representing Montgomery County, a suburb of Washington D.C. As a champion for economic competitiveness and cultural competency, Qi is a leading voice on immigrant integration, civic and political engagement, and the Asian American experience.