My story is not a single story, but a series of connected narratives, woven together into one life. ~ Arnold T. Grisham More than a mere autobiography, Making a Way of No Way details the life and experiences of a child born to a working-class Black family in Chicago’s West Side during the 1940s. The crucible of […]
with author George McCalman in conversation with Tonya Foster Join artist and author George McCalman in conversation with poet and professor Tonya Foster on McCalman’s book, Illustrated Black History: Honoring the Iconic and the Unseen. Illustrated Black History is a breathtaking collection of original portraits depicting black heroes—both famous and unsung—who made their mark on activism, science, politics, […]
On the night that Patty Hearst was kidnapped in 1974, journalist Roger D. Rapoport was a short drive away in his El Cerrito home. He quickly became one of the primary reporters covering the saga as it unfolded in real time. His reporting gave local and national readers a window into one of the most […]
For this Lunar New Year celebration, we welcome back renowned Bay Area author Maxine Hong Kingston, historian and former parade director David Lei, educator Linda Lei, and Executive Director of the Center for Asian American Media (CAAM), Stephen Gong. They will talk about how Lunar New Year has been celebrated in San Francisco, share memories […]
When We Walk By takes an urgent look at homelessness in America, showing us what we lose—in ourselves and as a society—when we choose to walk past and ignore our neighbors in shelters, insecure housing, or on the streets. The book brilliantly shows what we stand to gain when we embrace our humanity and move toward […]
Starting with the very land SFO was built on, A People' History of SFO sees the airport as a microcosm of the forces at work in the Bay Area—from its colonial history and early role in trade, mining, and agriculture to the economic growth, social sanctuary, and environmental transformations of the twentieth century. In lively, engaging […]
Mechanics' Institute is proud to welcome GM Sam Shankland for a special author talk and book signing event in the Chess Room on Tuesday, January 16 at 5:30 pm. Sam Shankland is an American Chess Grandmaster and the 2018 US Chess Champion. He is a 10 year veteran on the US Olympic Team, a two-time Olympiad […]
Opening Reception, Spiral Making and Pedagogical Exploration (1:00-2:00 pm) Explore the art of pedagogy and spiral your way into transformative teaching! Engage in hands-on activities that will leave you inspired and ready to create meaningful connections in your classroom. Book Talk/Q&A: Do Your Lessons Love Your Students? (2:00-3:00 pm) Dive into a thought-provoking discussion as we pore […]
Refresh and rejuvenate your body, mind, spirit, and attitude with our second annual New Year Wellness and Renewal program. The program will feature Dr. Dacher Keltner, Professor of Psychology at UC Berkeley and author of Awe: The New Science of Everyday Wonder and How It Can Transform Your Life, and Dr. Aric Prather, co-director of UCSF’s […]
The San Francisco Chronicle #1 bestselling author Obi Kaufmann of the canonical California Field Atlas returns with an epic, forward-looking exploration of the state’s arid eastern regions. The Deserts of California: A California Field Atlas blends science and art in Kaufmann’s signature style to throw into relief ecological insights greater than either might yield alone. Through expressionistic mapmaking, wildlife renderings, […]
Join two-time Pulitzer Prize finalist John King in discussion on his new book Portal: San Francisco's Ferry Building and the Reinvention of American Cities. King’s narrative spans the rise and fall and rebirth of the Ferry Building. Rich with feats of engineering and civic imagination, his story introduces colorful figures who fought to preserve the Ferry […]
with SF State University Professors Carlos Montemayor, Denise Kleinrichert, and Dragutin Petkovic Discuss Artificial Intelligence, Authorship, and Ethics with San Francisco State University Professors Carlos Montemayor, Denise Kleinrichert, and Dragutin Petkovic.