Chevalier’s Books and Eso Won Books in Leimert Park are partnering with the Ebell of Los Angeles to present a talk with Former U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder and Sam Koppelman on their new book about the battle to preserve voting rights, in conversation with Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Thursday at 7 pm at the Ebell of Los Angeles.
It’s no coincidence this event is timed around election day, next Tuesday.
“We wanted to host Mr. Holder because of the importance of the book to focus people on the challenges presented to democracy by limiting voting rights,” Chevalier’s owner Bert Deixler told the Buzz. “When we started planning, Eric told us he would bring Kareem Abdul-Jabbar as his interlocutor and we are partnering with the indispensable Eso Wan Bookstore, a 33-year-old independent Black-Owned bookshop in Leimert Park.”
“Eric Holder is one of the most important people to speak on this topic,” James Fugate, co-owner of Eso Wan Books told the Buzz. “Voting is the only real right we have to advocate for real change in the country and it’s definitely under threat. We have never seen anything like what happened in 2020 and the efforts to stop people from voting continue.”
Holder’s book is brand new but Deixler told the Buzz he expects it will land on all the bestsellers lists shortly. Thursday evening is the first appearance by Mr. Holder in the country and the only appearance in Los Angeles. Holder and Deixler were classmates at Columbia Law School. Eso Wan owners Fugate and Tom Hamilton have partnered with Chevalier’s Books in the past.
“All of us should be talking about voting at this very crucial point in our country,” said Fugate. “I’m also interested in what Kareem will offer too!”
“The case Shelby v. Holder, which eliminated Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act, was his case!” said Deixler. “Holder’s book makes that case the we need to make sure everyone can vote. If you have the vote, democracy can work!”
Tickets including a signed book are $35; Admission is free — but buy a book and support our local bookstores! Click here for tickets!
ABOUT THE AUTHORS
Eric Holder is a civil rights leader who is chairman of the National Democratic Redistricting Committee. He served as the eighty-second attorney general of the United States, the first African American to hold that office. Now a senior counsel at Covington & Burling, he lives in Washington, D.C., with his wife, Dr. Sharon Malone, and they have three children.
Sam Koppelman is a New York Times bestselling author who served as director of surrogate speechwriting on the Biden-Harris campaign. A graduate of Harvard College, he has spent half a decade at Fenway Strategies, telling the stories of people working to make the world a better place. Sam lives in New York, where he was born and raised, and is in a toxic relationship with the Knicks.
ABOUT THE INTERLOCUTOR
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is a global icon who changed the game of professional basketball. Since his stellar professional career, he has gone on to become a celebrated New York Times-bestselling author, filmmaker, ambassador of education, and Time Magazine columnist. A sought-after speaker, Abdul-Jabbar recounts in riveting and humorous detail his exciting evolution from street ball player to successful athlete, author, producer, and community activist.
COVID-19 Policies
All Ebell personnel are vaccinated. The Ebell requires all members and guests to be fully vaccinated to attend in-person programs. “Fully Vaccinated” is defined as having had a primary series of vaccinations plus a booster (if eligible) and being at least two weeks past the booster dose. Guests must bring ID and proof of vaccination to every event to enter. Special accommodations will be made for those who have medical or religious exemption. For those with exemptions, The Ebell of Los Angeles will need the following three items on record:
- A note from a doctor or religious leader
- Negative PCR test within 48 hrs of event
- Rapid Antigen test taken onsite ($15 additional charge)
