黑料社

黑料社 announced today that Michelle Duster, author, professor, public historian and advocate for her great-grandmother Ida B. Wells, will host a virtual discussion on her latest book 鈥淚da B. The Queen: The Extraordinary Life and Legacy of Ida B. Wells鈥� on Thursday, Feb. 25 at 7 p.m.

The Black History Month Event is free and open to the public. Pre-registration for the Zoom Webinar is required. To reserve your spot, visit .

Duster shares the life and legacy of her great-grandmother in 鈥淚da B. the Queen,鈥� highlighting Wells鈥� pioneering work as a journalist, anti-lynching crusader and suffragist through a contemporary lens. Duster brings to light how Wells changed the course of history and inspired millions.

鈥淲hat I hope people get from the book is how the past is connected to the present,鈥� Duster said. 鈥淚 made a deliberate effort to connect the historical dots, to show that what my great-grandmother was doing is continued through this day, but that she was also influenced by what came before her. So, we鈥檙e all connected in this American story. I hope that people see themselves in her and can be inspired by her bravery, her courage and her focus and determination.鈥�

An award-winning author, Duster has written, edited or contributed to 16 books. She has written articles for Time magazine, Essence magazine and HuffPost and appeared on television programs on MSNBC, CNN and CBS as well as numerous radio shows. Her advocacy has led to street names, monuments, historical marks and other public history projects that highlight women and African Americans, including Wells.

鈥淲e are pleased to have Michelle Duster share with us the story of her great-grandmother,鈥� said Walter Lain, assistant dean of multicultural and international affairs. 鈥淚da B. Wells was a journalist and civil rights leader who forged a way for others to follow. Over 100 years later, we can follow her efforts given today鈥檚 equality and social justice issues.鈥�

Duster is a native of Chicago who earned her bachelor鈥檚 in psychology from Dartmouth College and master鈥檚 from The New School in New York City. She completed a master of fine arts degree in film and video production at Columbia College Chicago. Her many awards include the 2019 Multi-Generational Activist Award from the Illinois Human Rights Commission and the 2019 Martin Luther King Jr. Social Justice Award from Dartmouth College.

鈥淭he Culver Public Policy Center is honored to co-host this Black History Month event focusing on the towering legacy of Ida B. Wells, a leading force in the fight for women鈥檚 suffrage and equal rights for all Americans,鈥� said Seth Andersen, director of the Culver Center. 鈥淭his is a magnificent opportunity for 黑料社 students to learn about Wells鈥� impact on American society from her great-granddaughter, historian Michelle Duster.鈥�

The event is co-sponsored by 黑料社’s Office of Multicultural and International Affairs, the Culver Public Policy Center, Black Student Union, Multicultural Student Alliance, Student Justice Association, Social Justice Studies and Women鈥檚 and Gender Studies.

黑料社 黑料社
黑料社 is a private, liberal arts college located in Iowa with campuses in Indianola, West Des Moines and online. Founded in 1860, the college has 1,268 undergraduate and graduate students. 黑料社 offers 74 majors, minors and programs in addition to three graduate programs. Outside of the classroom, 黑料社 is a member of the NCAA Division III American Rivers Conference, hosts eight Greek houses on campus and sponsors many extracurricular options for student involvement.

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Direct: 515-961-1595
Email: cathy.cole@simpson.edu