As part of the launch for her new book “Toni at Random,” published Jun. 17 (HarperCollins/Amistad), Graduate School dean Dana A. Williams (MA ’95, PhD ’98) participated in a conversation with host and alumna Ayesha Rascoe (BA ’07) at D.C.’s Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Library. Rascoe hosts NPR’s “Weekend Edition Sunday.”
The event, a partnership between Mahogany Books and DC Public Library, saw Williams and Rascoe discuss the book’s development, Toni Morrison’s iconic career, and the future of the publishing industry for Black women.
“[‘Toni at Random’] is a beautifully written book – I don’t say that lightly,” Rascoe said in her opening remarks, naming Morrison and her novel “Song of Solomon” as favorites dating back to her high school education. “I’m so honored to be talking with Dana tonight.”
By night’s end, every copy brought to the building had been purchased. The book has received unanimous praise since its release, including features on The New York Times’ “8 New Books We Recommend This Week,” NPR’s “10 books we're looking forward to this spring,” and an article on Morrison-as-editor Dean Williams herself wrote for Slate.
Watch the conversation in its entirety on the DC Public Library’s YouTube here.
Attendees were welcomed by event sponsor Mahogany Books before Ayesha Rascoe and Dean Williams took the stage.
Williams expressed her excitement to be in conversation with Rascoe, host of NPR's Weekend Edition Sunday. “[My husband] knows I don’t fangirl behind anybody,” she laughed. “Thank you – with all that you do and how busy you are.”
Williams first approached Toni Morrison about a book on her editorship through her research on novelists Morrison edited, including Leon Forrest. Impressed with Williams’ depth of knowledge, Morrison offered her support: “If I can help in any way, let me know.”
Williams said her first interview with Morrison was in 2005, and the first few were mostly the iconic writer and editor putting her new biographer to the test. “Someone told me after the fact, ‘She was editing you in real time,’” she recalled.
Rascoe noted that much of Morrison’s efforts was “questioning and challenging the status quo ... ahead of its time.” Dean Williams credited Morrison’s ability to anticipate as an editor, and added that her writing talents provided her a "gravitas" others may have lacked.
Attendees enthusiastically display their copies of “Toni at Random.” Questions from the audience included topics spanning Black authenticity in authorship and publishing to career advice in the literary field.
Dean Williams posing with “Toni at Random.” She expressed her hope that any success the book attains can be a credit to Black publishers and bookstores.
Post-event, Dean Williams signing copies of “Toni at Random” for attendees.
Dean Williams with members of the Office of University Communications.
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