Nightcrawling: A Conversation with Leila Mottley and Shereen Marisol-Meraji

Wednesday, April 12 | 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM

Oakland Museum of California (OMCA), 1000 Oak Street, Oakland CA 94607 - James Moore Theater

    Leila Mottley

    Last July, Oakland native and author Leila Mottley took the literary world by storm with her critically-acclaimed debut novel, Nightcrawling. Mottley became the youngest ever Booker Prize nominee and the youngest author ever picked for Oprah’s Book Club. Join us for a homecoming evening with the author as we celebrate the official release of the paperback version of Nightcrawling in her hometown of Oakland, CA and on the stage where she was named the 2018 Oakland Youth Poet Laureate.

    In conversation with journalist and UC Berkeley professor, Shereen Marisol Meraji, Mottley will discuss her book, the topics and themes explored in the novel, growing up in Oakland and how it influenced her writing and voice, and her hopes for the future of Oakland and its young people.

    Their conversation will be followed by a book signing with Mottley outside of the theater.

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    ABOUT LEILA MOTTLEY

    A New York Times Writer to Watch, Leila Mottley is an author native to Oakland, California, with an interest in reflecting on institutional and individual inequity, liberation, and joy through writing. Her debut novel, Nightcrawling, was selected as an Oprah’s Book Club pick. Leila has performed and run poetry workshops as the 2018 Oakland Youth Poet Laureate and her work has been published in Oprah Daily and The New York Times.

    ABOUT SHEREEN MARISOL MERAJI

    Shereen Marisol Meraji is a veteran audio producer and journalist who has been telling stories with sound for more than two decades. Shereen helped create NPR’s critically acclaimed podcast covering race and identity, Code Switch. During her time as co-host and senior producer, Code Switch won numerous awards and Apple Podcasts named Code Switch its first-ever “show of the year.” Shereen’s currently an assistant professor of race in journalism and head of audio at UC Berkeley’s Graduate School of Journalism, educating the next generation of audio storytellers. When she’s not teaching or reporting, Shereen’s listening to hip-hop, dancing to salsa, or cooking up something delicious.

    This event is presented by Oakland’s Museum of California and the Bay Area Book Festival, in association with Oakland Public Library

    ABOUT OAKLAND PUBLIC LIBRARY (OPL)

    The Oakland Public Library is a part of the City of Oakland in California and has been in existence since 1878. Locations include 16 neighborhood branches, a Main Library, a Second Start Adult Literacy Program, the Oakland Tool Lending Library, and the African American Museum and Library at Oakland (AAMLO). The Oakland Public Library empowers all people to explore, connect, and grow.

    Interviewer:

    Shereen Marisol Meraji
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