The Right to Literacy and Education with Celeste Headlee

As a journalist who spent her career in public media, including at Georgia Public Broadcasting, Celeste Headlee has long championed unheard voices and sought to tell the stories of those whose contributions have gone unacknowledged. In her new book, Freedom’s Daughters: How a Generation of Black Women Resisted Oppression Through Literacy and Education, Headlee set out to write into the record book the untold stories of the remarkable women who risked everything to ensure a generation of Black Americans had the right to read. This story has an even deeper connection: Headlee’s great-grandmother Carrie Still Shepperson was one of the most important figures in the fight. This stunning, deeply personal book reminds us that these women fought oppression with the ultimate weapon of education, and that we must continue to defend our right to learn with that same fierce determination.

Purchase your book from Charis Books & More. When you check-out from that link, please mention that you will need to pick your book up at the event. Books will also be for sale on-site by Charis, and a portion of your purchase will benefit the Decatur Book Festival.

This event is free and open to the public. No tickets are required, and seating is first come, first served. Signing information: Signing time: 11:00 AM

Signing location: Marriott Conference Center

About the Author

Celeste Headlee is an award-winning journalist, a professional speaker, and the author of Speaking of Race, We Need to Talk, and Do Nothing. She is a regular guest host on NPR and American Public Media and a highly sought consultant. Her TED Talk sharing 10 ways to have a better conversation has over 23 million total views. Headlee is the recipient of the 2019 Media Changemaker Award. She is the proud granddaughter of composer William Grant Still, the Dean of African American Composers. Her new book is Freedom’s Daughters: How a Generation of Black Women Resisted Oppression Through Literacy and Education.

About the Moderator

Rose Scott is an award-winning veteran journalist who serves as the executive producer and host of the midday news program "Closer Look" broadcast on Atlanta's NPR station, 90.1 FM - WABE. Rose joined WABE full time in 2008 after coming aboard as a freelancer in 2007.

Closer Look has become a signature broadcast for the community and brings together viewpoints from all sectors of society. In her role as executive producer and host, Rose has interviewed Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson,  foreign heads of state, cabinet members, U.S. ambassadors, numerous consul generals, state, and local elected officials as well as civic and social leaders. With nearly 3-decades of reporting in Atlanta, she has covered a wide range of topics including education, minority health issues, sports, affordable housing, immigration, and criminal justice reform. In 2013, Rose traveled to Amman, Jordan to report on the Syrian refugee crisis. 

Rose has anchored national broadcasts for NPR and the BBC as well as guest appearances on other international, national and local news outlets.  However, it’s the Atlanta region where Rose devotes time to community concerns as she is often called upon to moderate panel discussions and host events where service to others is at the core. 

Rose is well-respected in the Atlanta community for her thought-provoking reporting style and has been honored with several awards, including a Southeast Regional Emmy Award, Telly Award, Edward R. Murrow Awards, an Atlanta Association of Black Journalists Award, numerous Georgia Association of Broadcaster awards, and awards from the Georgia Associated Press.

Rose often speaks to students from high school to colleges and universities about careers in journalism, community engagement, importance of democracy and a free press or simply as a guest speaker. In 2022, Rose was among three Clayton State University commencement speakers and gave the Oglethorpe University 2024 commencement address. Rose was also Spelman College’s 2024 National Spelman National Community Service Award recipient. Rose has been honored with many industry awards and recognitions including a Southeast Emmy, several Edward R. Murrow, Georgia Association of Broadcasters, Associated Press, Telly and Atlanta Association of Black Journalist awards.