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.