Join the Library for Community Conversations about The Sum of Us: What Racism Costs Everyone and How We Can Prosper Together

Thursday, September 23, 2021
The Library and the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation present a series of online community conversations centered around the book The Sum of Us: What Racism Costs Everyone and How We Can Prosper Together, by Heather McGhee, chair of the board of Color for Change, the country’s largest online racial justice organization. The Sum of Us analyzes the fiscal implications of racism on white people as well as people of color.  

About the book

 The public is invited to take part in one of a series of online book discussions scheduled throughout October. On October 19, Heather McGhee joins the Library for an online presentation, which can be viewed on the Library’s YouTube channel.

 
Heather McGhee - The Sum of Us
 

Online Group Discussions:

Sign up to take part in one of the online book discussion opportunities in October. Participants must RSVP; you will receive a Zoom link and password in advance of the online conversation date. 

View discussion guide
 

Thursday, October 7  |  6:30 p.m.  

Details | RSVP

Friday, October 8  |  11 a.m. 

Details | RSVP

Tuesday, October 12  |  6:30 p.m.  

Details | RSVP

Wednesday, October 13  |  1 p.m.   

Details | RSVP

Thursday, October 14  |  Noon

Details | RSVP  

Saturday, October 16  |  1 p.m.  

Details | RSVP

Monday, October 18  |  6:30 p.m.

Details | RSVP


Online Author Event:

The Sum of Us: What Racism Costs Everyone and How We Can Prosper Together 

Heather McGhee, Joni Wickham 

Tuesday, October 19, 2021  |  6:30 p.m. 

Online event available at YouTube.com/kclibrary  


We may recognize the awful persistence of racism in America but not the full extent of its impact. Know this much, Heather McGhee says: While targeting some, bias and discrimination take a devastating toll on all.

Drawing from her bestselling book The Sum of Us: What Racism Costs Everyone and How We Can Prosper Together, McGhee examines that wide social and economic cost and how it’s in the interest of everyone, not just people of color, to push for change. In unlikely places of worship and work, she points to proof of what she calls the Solidarity Dividend – gains that come when people come together across race to accomplish what they simply can’t do on their own.

Joining her in the discussion is Kansas City political and communications strategist Joni Wickham, who was chief of staff to former Mayor Sly James.

The online conversation will be presented on the Library’s YouTube channel and is co-presented by the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation.