Vanessa Riley!

One of this year’s panels, The Revolution Will not be Westernized, examines how women have succeeded as political and military leaders throughout the world, often in times of revolution and transition, and we are excited to welcome Vanessa Riley to participate in this conversation. Vanessa’s 2022 novel, the brilliant and powerful Sister Mother Warrior, is a story of the Haitian Revolution based on the true-life stories of two extraordinary women: the first Empress of Haiti, Marie-Claire Bonheur, and Gran Toya, a West African-born warrior who helped lead the rebellion that drove out the French and freed the enslaved people of Haiti. It’s a thrilling, engrossing read and we can’t wait to hear Vanessa talk about it!

Credit: Celestial Studios

Vanessa Riley is an award-winning author of more than 20 books which encompass historical fiction, historical romance, and historical mystery. Her novels showcase the hidden histories of Black women and women of color, emphasizing strong sisterhoods and dazzling multicultural communities, and have been praised by the AAMBC, Washington Post, New York Times, Entertainment Weekly, NPR, Publishers Weekly, Essence Magazine, and many others. Vanessa holds a doctorate in mechanical engineering from Stanford University and several other degrees from Stanford and Penn State Universities. Learn more about Vanessa Riley’s books and events and join her newsletter at www.vanessariley.com.