The conversation at LBCC on Feb.10 will feature Ilyon Woo, author of “MASTER SLAVE HUSBAND WIFE,” and Long Beach resident, poet and activist Peggy Preacely.
As part of their Black History Month celebration, Long Beach City College will host a conversation with author Ilyon Woo and local poet and civil rights activist Peggy Preacely on Saturday, Feb. 10.
The conversation will be presented by The Friends of the Long Beach Public Library and the African American Historical Society of Long Beach.
“This is our first in-person event for the Friends of the Library since the pandemic,” said Friends President Barbara Sosa in a recent press release from the organization. ”We are so lucky to have the LBCC Foundation partner with us and provide such a great venue. We are looking forward to an inspiring afternoon.”
Woo is the author of the 2023 biography “MASTER SLAVE HUSBAND WIFE: An Epic Journey From Slavery to Freedom,” the story of Ellen and William Craft’s daring escape from Georgia in 1848 by posing as master and slave. The couple’s resilient plan takes them through hundreds of miles to freedom in the North before being forced to travel overseas to escape slave catchers.
“MASTER SLAVE HUSBAND WIFE” received widespread critical acclaim, was named on the New York Times “10 Best Books of 2023” list and was declared the best book of the year by publications such as Time, National Public Radio and The New Yorker.
In the Deep South during the 1950s and ‘60s, Preacely fought against segregation, taught literacy and registered Black voters as a Freedom Rider and (still active) member of the Student Non-Violent Coordinating Committee. She is also one of the nine great-grandchildren of the book’s subjects Ellen and William Craft.
“Public History, Private Memory: The Legacy of Ellen and William Craft Through the Collaborative Viewpoint of an Author and a Descendant” will take place Feb. 10 at 2 p.m. inside the Bob and Barbara Ellis Auditorium on the LBCC Liberal Arts Campus, located at 4901 E. Carson St. The event is free and open to the public.
Doors for the event will open at 1:30 p.m., and free parking is available in designated lots. Books will be available for purchase.
