In your area September 11, 2008 and January 19, 2009

SPENCER OVERTON – Voters don't choose politicians-politicians choose voters by manipulating election rules. What can we do to restore power to the people? A noted expert on campaign finance and voting rights law, Spencer Overton is the author of Stealing Democracy: The New Politics of Voter Suppression. Overton articulates new ideas for enriching American democracy. Spencer serves as the Chairperson of Barack Obama's Government Reform Committee, a group of more than 30 experts who advise the Obama presidential campaign on campaign finance reform, lobbying, voting rights, and government ethics and transparency policies.

In your area September 17, 2008

TISSA HAMI – From Islamic fundamentalists to white liberals to good old-fashioned racists, no one is safe from stand-up comic Tissa Hami’s sharp wit.  One of the world’s few female Muslim stand-up comics, she hopes that her comedy will help break down stereotypes about Muslim women and foster understanding between Iranians and Americans, though she warns that people who disapprove of her act will be taken hostage.

In your area September 18, 2008

LISA SEE – Drawing on the history of her own family and community, Lisa See draws readers into the rich tapestry of life in both China and the United States through her acclaimed novels Flower Net, The Interior, Dragon Bones, Snow Flower and the Secret Fan and Peony in Love. Her first book, On Gold Mountain: The One Hundred Year Odyssey of My Chinese-American Family, was a bestseller and a New York Times Notable Book.

In your area October 8, 2008 and February 3, 2009

NEIL deGRASSE TYSON – As Director of the Hayden Planetarium and host of the PBS magazine “NOVA Science NOW”, Dr. Tyson is one of the most high profile astrophysicists in America. He hopes to use the state-of-the-art Hayden to capture the scientific curiosity of a new generation of young people. His recent books include One Universe: At Home in the Cosmos, Death by Black Hole: And Other Cosmic Quandaries, and Origins, the companion book to his acclaimed four-hour miniseries on the PBS program “NOVA.”

In your area October 23, 2008 and April 9 & 23-24, 2009

ARN CHORN POND – How does a child who was both a victim and survivor of the Cambodian genocide grow to become an internationally recognized human rights leader? A founder of Children of War, an international youth leadership organization for building community, activism and healing for teenagers, Pond opens our eyes and hearts, and helps us to heal.

In your area November 1 & 13, 2008

RICHARD RODRIGUEZ – Essayist Richard Rodriguez discusses how America – and every American - is shaped by the continual interaction of cultures, blurring boundaries between “black” and “white”, Hispanic and Anglo. He is the author of the critically acclaimed books Hunger of Memory, Days of Obligation: An Argument With My Mexican Father and Brown: The Last Discovery of America.

In your area November 8, 2008

ROBERT BULLARD – Leading the battle for environmental justice, from dealing with the toxic aftermath of Hurricane Katrina to curbing urban sprawl, Dr. Bullard tells the stories of frontline warriors who are fighting environmental and human rights abuses. His research and activism challenges government and industry policies that place people of color and the poor at special risk. He is the author of 14 books, including Growing Smarter: Achieving Livable Communities, Environmental Justice, and Regional Equity and The Black Metropolis in the Twenty-First Century: Race, Power, and the Politics of Place, which were released in 2007.