Author Reading and Community Conversation with Catherine Adel West Author of Saving Ruby King

December 18, 2020 3:33 PM

The Santa Monica Public Library is partnering with the City’s Government Alliance on Race and Equity (GARE) cohort and Black History Month Committee to host a virtual author reading and community conversation from 12:00 -1:30 p.m. on Thursday, February 11, 2021, with author Catherine Adel West as part of the City’s Black History Month 2021 programming. The event is free to the public. RSVP at http://ow.ly/Knk550CL6zV.

West’s debut novel, Saving Ruby King, takes readers on a journey that explores trauma, friendships, and secrets that intertwine two Southside Chicago families for three generations. After Ruby’s mother is found murdered, Ruby is left alone at home with her abusive father and forced to fend for herself. Her best friend Layla, understanding that Ruby’s life is in danger, sets out to save Ruby and in the process uncovers dark secrets that must be confronted head-on for both of their families to heal and break free from generational trauma. Named one of the most anticipated books of 2020, Saving Ruby King landed on the Library Journal’s Best Books of 2020 list. 

Prepare for the conversation by reading the book prior to the event with Ms. West. Digital and print copies of Saving Ruby King are available through the Santa Monica Public Library. Check out a copy of the book or sign up for a Library card at smpl.org. Community members are encouraged to submit questions for West at socialjustice@smgov.net by Monday, February 1, 2021. Questions can also be submitted during the event. 

Saving Ruby King was chosen by the Black History Month Committee because it aligns with the theme for Black History Month 2021, The Black Family: Representation, Identity, and Diversity, which is set every year by the Association for the Study of African American Life and History®. 

"I'm thrilled and honored to participate in this year's GARE author reading and community conversation," said West. "When I wrote Saving Ruby King, I wanted to reflect all the deep complications and abiding love woven within the Black family. Representation of the Black community within literature is something that should be discussed and celebrated, not just during Black History Month, but the whole year," she said. 

“Not only does Saving Ruby King fall within the Black family theme, but it also touches upon relevant topics including disparities faced by the Black community and life-altering decisions some people feel forced to make because of those disparities,” said Delana G. Gbenekama, the City’s GARE representative who heads the Black History Month Planning Committee. “It also explores barriers to mental health and wellbeing whether they’re due to protecting family legacies, the stigma of being perceived as weak for seeking help, a lack of finances or other reasons,” she said. 

The event will be moderated by Karen S. Gunn, Ph.D. A longtime Santa Monica resident, Dr. Gunn is an organizational and community development consultant with over 30 years of experience. She is Principal of Gunn Consulting Group that specializes in strategic planning, teambuilding, Diversity-Equity-Inclusion, training and facilitation and a retired psychology professor at Santa Monica College. Dr. Gunn is a longtime advocate for social justice, has served as Chairwoman of the Santa Monica Bay Area Human Relations Council and the City of Santa Monica Social Services Commission. She is a founding member of the Santa Monica Black Agenda and serves on its Steering Committee. 

Catherine Adel West was born and raised in Chicago, IL where she currently resides. She graduated with both her Bachelors and Masters of Science in Journalism from the University of Illinois - Urbana. She was named by USA Today as one of 100 Black novelists whose works you should read, joining great minds like Zora Neale Hurston, James Baldwin, and Toni Morrison who have left an indelible mark across generations. Her work is published in Black Fox Literary Magazine, Five2One, Better than Starbucks, Doors Ajar, 805 Lit + Art, The Helix Magazine, Lunch Ticket and Gay Magazine. In between writing and traveling, Catherine works as an editor. Visit her website at catherineadelwest.com

Black History Month is an effort of the City’s Government Alliance on Race and Equity (GARE) cohort and Black History Month Committee. GARE is a national network of government working to achieve racial equity and advance opportunities for all. The City of Santa Monica has been a member of GARE since 2017. The Black History Month Committee is composed of City staff, including GARE members, who work in coordination with Black community leaders to make the events a success. View the full roster of virtual Black History Month events at santamonica.gov/blog/blackhistorymonth2021.

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Patty Wong
Director of Library Services
Patty.Wong@SMGOV.NET

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