Conversation with Award-winning Author Rita Woods

1515 Southwest 10th Avenue,Topeka KS 66604

15 April, 2023

Description

Diversity is crucial in assuring we can understand each other in deeper ways. This understanding helps keep us humble and open to the fact that the world does not only revolve around our beliefs. It can help develop us into better people as we increase our understanding of human nature. The importance of diversity itself can benefit us in all aspects of our lives. The Topeka (KS) Chapter of the Links, Incorporated are keenly aware that we as African/Americans are often seen as a monolith. That we are all the same. To model Black Diversity for ourselves and others, we have the opportunity to work with Afrofuturist and Hurston/Wright award winning author Dr. Rita Woods. The Last Dreamwalker tells the story of two women, separated by nearly two centuries yet inextricably linked by the Gullah Geechee Islands off the coast of South Carolina—and their connection to a mysterious and extraordinary gift passed from generation to generation. In the wake of her mother's passing, Layla Hurley unexpectedly reconnects with her mother's sisters, women she hasn't been allowed to speak to, or of, in years. Her aunts reveal to Layla that a Gullah-Geechee island off the shore of South Carolina now belongs to her. As Layla digs deeper into her mother’s past and the mysterious island’s history, she discovers that the terrifying nightmares that have plagued her throughout her life and tainted her relationship with her mother and all of her family, is actually a power passed down through generations of her Gullah ancestors. She is a Dreamwalker, able to inhabit the dreams of others—and to manipulate them. As Layla uncovers increasingly dark secrets about her family's past, she finds herself thrust into the center of a potentially deadly, decades-old feud fought in the dark corridor of dreams. From the author: Since I was first introduced to the Gullah years ago, while in Charleston on a business trip, I have been intrigued by the idea of a people and a culture that is both part of and outside of ‘mainstream’ culture. South Carolina is a beautiful state, but like so many things that appear beautiful on the surface, there is a darker underbelly, secrets that are kept hidden. This is true of people and places and families, and The Last Dreamwalker came to me as the intersection of both generational and historical secrets and the havoc those secrets can wreak. "Beautiful and compelling. . .histories we hide and the places we forget. It's about buried truths and dreams too long deferred, and the hope that comes after."—Alix Harrow, NYTimes bestselling author of The Ten Thousand Doors of January "A fascinating novel about a family heritage that is both gift and curse. I love this book both for its voice and its story of a painful history set right."—Louisa Morgan, Author of A Secret History of Witches This event will be moderated by playwriter and Topeka native, Darren Canady. He is an artistic associate with American Blues Theater and Congo Square Theatre, and he currently teaches playwriting at the University of Kansas. Participants will be able to attendance either in-person or via Zoom. lick here to attend via Zoom. Those that will be attending in-person will need to register using this site. In-person attendees will be eligible to participate in the drawing for a book signed by Rita Woods and will have the opportunity to purchase books of their own.