Author: Sonja D. Williams

Honoring the Memory of Extraordinary Artist & Activist Harry Belafonte

Sonja D. Williams Acting, Drama, Film, History, Nonfiction, Podcast, Podcasting, Politics, Radio, Theater

On April 25, 2023, the world lost a gifted artist and committed activist – a man who was never shy about speaking (or singing) truth to power.

With his passing, Harlem born Harry Belafonte joined his long time friend and fellow artist Sidney Poitier among the ancestors. Both men will be sorely missed.

During the early 2000s in the Howard University Department of Media, Journalism and Film in Washington DC, we had the pleasure  of honoring Belafonte with an award named for one of the men who inspired him – singer, actor and activist Paul Robeson.

After our awards ceremony, Belafonte conducted a master class in which he shared information about his life, his career and his commitment to civil and human rights.

To hear the radio program we produced based on this master class – a study in wisdom, courage and artistic integrity  – click here.

Shining A Light on A Little Known Activist in America and South Africa

Sonja D. Williams Biography, Books, Nonfiction, Nonfiction Writing

Madie Hall Zuma.

You might not know her name or her accomplishments, but Hall Zuma was an influential activist.  

As a Black woman who was born and raised in America’s Jim Crow South (Winston-Salem, North Carolina), she would become an educator and then the wife of the first president of South Africa’s African National Congress (ANC). She went on to lead the ANC’s Women’s League and helped to organize South African self-help clubs affiliated with the worldwide YWCA.

Intrigued?

If so, click here to listen to my interview with author Wanda Hendricks who wrote a biography about this fascinating woman and her times.

 

 

A Literary Sale You Don’t Want to Miss

Sonja D. Williams Biography, Books, Creative Writing, Holiday Sale, Nonfiction, Nonfiction Writing, Sale

If you’re a book lover like me, you’ll want to check out this holiday sale at the University of Illinois Press (UIP).

All UIP publications – including my biography Word Warrior: Richard Durham, Radio, and Freedom – are available for half their normal price through the end of this month.

Why not take advantage of this opportunity to beef up your personal library with some of the illuminating titles in UIP’s catalog – and save money in the process?

Just remember to use the indicated Promo Code and have a fantastic holiday season!

 

It’s Time for a Celebration: A Biography Podcast Series is 100 Episodes Strong!

Sonja D. Williams Biography, Creative Writing, Nonfiction, Nonfiction Writing, Podcast, Podcasting

BIO – the Biographers International Organization podcast series – just reached a milestone.  Its 100th episode features an interview with the co-authors of a biography about the first woman of color congresswoman, Patsy Takemoto Mink.

Click here to hear fellow biographer Kitty Kelley interview Mink’s scholar/daughter Gwendolyn (Wendy) along with scholar Judy Wu.

And you can check out the 99 other archived author interviews on the BIO website while you’re at it.

Enjoy!

 

 

 

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