Truth in Fiction: A Talk by Michelle Coles author of Black Was the Ink (2022 Race & Social Justice Institute)

The first part of the evening will be a talk by author, Michelle Coles, who describes herself as: “a debut novelist, experienced civil rights attorney, and mother of four. As a 9th generation Louisianan, she is highly attuned to the struggles that African Americans have faced in overcoming the legacy of slavery and the periods of government-sanctioned discrimination that followed. Her goal in writing is to empower young people by educating them about history and giving them the tools to shape their own destiny.” A discussion of her new book will be moderated by Dr. Ebony Thomas, a scholar and researcher of race and representation in children’s and young adult literature. Through their rich discussion and audience participation, the collective will explore: How can fiction bring us closer to historical truths? Why is fiction such a powerful tool in education?