Charles Johnson
National Book Award winner for Middle Passage, Dr. Charles Johnson writes captivating novels that address issues of being African-American in today’s U.S. society.
Video: Charles Johnson talks about writing and learning to write
Award-Winning Authors
Authors whose books are popular with 1st year reads, community reads, visiting writers programs!
Angela Shelton
Be Your Own Hero! Angela Shelton — activist, artist, performer, writer, award-winning filmmaker — shares heartwarming and hilarious real-life stories about moving from a life of child sexual abuse, rape and domestic violence hardships
Neil deGrasse Tyson
Your personal astrophysicist and host of the Emmy Award winning, COSMOS: A SpaceTime Odyssey and StarTalk with Neil deGrasse Tyson. Dr. Tyson’s passion for science communication changes the way we think about the universe.
David Quammen
Quammen’s science journalism creates a fascinating blend of exploration and storytelling. He brilliantly explains complicated science concepts to his audiences. Author of SPILLOVER, which anticipated the outbreak of Covid-19 by a decade
Charles C. Mann
Offering valuable insights into the most significant events, from the European discovery of the Americas to the rise of the digital age, Charles Mann transforms our views of history. His book, The Wizard And The Prophet, asks the question “Can Earth support 10 billion people?”
Video: Charles Mann on how we will survive when the population hits 10 billion
Sandra Steingraber
An international anti- fracking activist & biologist who fights for the environmental protection of others. Steingraber sees environmental rights as a basic human right.
Video: Speaking out on Fracking
Robert Bullard
“Father of Environmental Justice,” & “One of 13 Environmental Leaders of the Century”. Dr. Robert Bullard is a leading voice on environmental racism, sustainable housing & human rights.
Daniel H. Wilson
Author of How to Survive a Robot Uprising, an award-winning SciFi Author, AI & Robotics Expert, He was selected to write, “The Andromeda Evolution” with the Michael Crichton estate, marking the 50th anniversary of “The Andromeda Strain”.
Lilly Ledbetter
The inspiration behind the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, she continues to ignite change. A bestselling author and activist, Ledbetter fights for pay equity.
Kate Harding
“Rape Culture” has become a critical issue for communities across the nation. Harding, author of Asking For It, tackles this topic with practical ideas about eliminating sexual assault.
Daisy Hernández
Award winning author, Hernandez crosses the barriers between race, gender, and media representation. Her bold insight emphasizes current disparities in today’s culture.
Michael J. Tougias
New York Times best-selling author of The Finest Hours, Tougias shares incredible survival stories, sharing lessons about decision-making, goal attainment & resilience.
Richard Rodriguez
An award–winning, thought provoking writer, hailed in The Washington Post as “one of the most eloquent and probing public intellectuals in America”.
Video: Richard Rodriguez at the Library of Congress
Rinku Sen
Rinku brings an innovative approach to complex race issues to help people take effective action toward racial equity through research, media, and practice.
Co-president of the national Women’s March, and former president of Race Forward: The Center for Racial Justice Innovation. Named as one of Ms. Magazine’s “21 Feminists to Watch”.
Video: Rinku Sen delivers Antioch New England Commencement Address
Jeffery Renard Allen
Award winning American poet, essayist, short story writer, and novelist. Winner of the P.E.N. Discovery Prize and a Whiting Writer’s Award.
Jason Mott
New York Times bestselling author with a new ABC series, entitled Resurrection, based on his writing.
Spencer Overton
Author of Stealing Democracy: The New Politics of Voter Suppression, President of the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies, and former Justice Department official.
Video: Spencer Overton on Voting Rights in the Age of Black Lives Matter
Arn Chorn-Pond
Renowned human rights activist, musician and Cambodian genocide survivor. Inspiring change with incredible stories of hope, endurance, and survival through the power of music.