About this Event
MahoganyBooks is thrilled to welcome award winning author and filmaker Natalie Baszile, as we celebrate her latest thrilling new book, In this eye-opening exploration of friendship and privilege, race and community, Natalie examines what it means to truly be a good friend and ally. Joining Natalie in conversation is NYT bestselling author Victoria Christopher Murray.
You won't want to miss this one. Grab a friend, come solo, or bring your tribe. All are welcome to attend this amazing event!
ABOUT THE BOOK: Friends and Family
From the author of Queen Sugar, a piercing examination of friendship and loyalty as two best friends find themselves at odds over their beliefs on race, identity and allyship, especially when it comes to their teenage children
Babs and Nora became friends thanks to their kids. Now, the desire to protect their children might tear them apart.
Babs and Nora have spent a decade's worth of morning walks sharing family secrets, local drama, and advice--everything from tips on lingerie choices to Babs's suggestions to Nora, a white woman, on how to raise Nathan, her adopted Black son.
But their worlds are turned upside down when the cops are called on their kids while they're home alone, leading to a traumatic police encounter for Nathan. In the aftermath, Babs and Nora find themselves divided as never before, and Nathan looks for refuge with Babs and her family, where, unlike in his own home, race, identity, and culture are always up for discussion. Babs can see that Nathan is a young Black man without community trying to find himself. Torn between respecting Nora's boundaries and embodying the values so important to her own family, Babs will make a choice that will shape their lives forever.
Set in a tight-knit enclave in the Bay Area, Friends and Family is an eye-opening exploration of friendship and privilege, race and community, and what it means to truly be a good friend and ally.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Natalie Baszile is a writer and filmmaker. Her debut novel, Queen Sugar, was named a Best Book of the Year by the San Francisco Chronicle, an NAACP Image Award nominee, and was the inspiration for the acclaimed television series co-produced by Ava DuVernay and Oprah Winfrey. Her non-fiction book, We Are Each Other's Harvest: Celebrating African American Farmers, Land & Legacy was a Wall Street Journal Book of the Year. Natalie's non-fiction work has appeared in National Geographic, O, The Oprah Magazine, The Bitter Southerner, and numerous anthologies. Natalie has had residencies at the Ragdale Foundation, Virginia Center for the Arts, Hedgebrook, SFFILM and the Djerassi Resident Arts Program. Her short film "Black Girl in Paris" premiered at the Martha's Vineyard African American Film Festival. A native Californian, Natalie's southern roots stem from Louisiana, South Carolina, and Alabama. She lives in the Bay Area.
ABOUT THE MODERATOR: Victoria Christopher Murray is a New York Times bestselling author of more than thirty novels, including her most recent release Harlem Rhapsody. With Marie Benedict, she coauthored The Personal Librarian, a Good Morning America book club pick, and The First Ladies, Target’s 2023 Book of the Year. She is an NAACP Image Award Winner for Outstanding Literary Work for her novel Stand Your Ground, which was also a Library Journal Best Book of the Year. She holds an MBA from the NYU Stern School of Business.
Event guidelines are subject to change.
- 6:30 PM - Doors Open | 7 PM Conversation Begins
- Note: By entering the event premises, you waive all rights you may have to any claims for payment or royalties in connection with any photographs or videos taken.
- Please contact us at least seven days in advance should any accommodations be needed.
- Please tag us and use #mahoganybooks, #blackbooksmatter, and #familyandfriends on social media.
--Let's have an amazing evening,
Derrick, Ramunda & The MahoganyBooks Team
Event venue & nearby stays
MahoganyBooks - National Harbor, 121 American Way, Oxon Hill, United States
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