Video from the September 2, 2021 event with Zakiya Dalila Harris:
Archived post:
After more than a year of "virtual" events, we're excited to kick off our full season of in-person events starting next Thursday...
Zakiya Dalila Harris, author of The Other Black Girl
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 2021
Craft Talk:
4:30 p.m., Multi-Purpose Room, Campus Center West Addition, University at Albany, 1400 Washington Avenue, Albany 12222
Reading/Q&A:
7:30 p.m., Page Hall, UAlbany Downtown Campus, 135 Western Avenue, Albany 12203
Local poet D. Colin will handle the introduction and serve as moderator for the evening event.
Zakiya Dalila Harris is the author of the breakout New York Times bestseller, The Other Black Girl (2021), a thriller about workplace aggression and competition set in the starkly white world of New York City publishing.
The Other Black Girl centers on Nella, an African-American editorial assistant working her way up at an established, starkly white NYC publishing firm. When the new girl, Hazel arrives, Nella couldn’t be more excited to have a black co-worker, but over time Nella’s world is turned upside as she goes from office darling to public enemy number one. Is Hazel a friend or foe? The novel is a darkly comedic take on workplace politics and the importance of female friendship.
Entertainment Weekly said, “Harris’ genre-bending evisceration of workplace privilege is set to become the debut of the summer.”
The Washington Post called it, “A thrilling, edgier Devil Wears Prada that explores privilege and racism.” It was named a book club pick by Good Morning America and Esquire, and a People magazine “Best Book of Summer.”
Brooklyn-based, Harris spent three years in publishing before leaving to write her novel. She is currently a creative writing instructor at Writopia Lab and occasionally writes book reviews at The Rumpus.
The Other Black Girl is available to purchase at a discount at the UAlbany campus bookstore.
You may also purchase the book at the local, independent Book House of Stuyvesant Plaza.
COVID PROTOCOL FOR ALL IN-PERSON EVENTS:
All individuals, regardless of vaccination status, must wear a mask or other face covering while inside any UAlbany owned, operated or leased building.
Unvaccinated individuals are also required to wear face coverings in all outdoor settings. This revised mask requirement will remain in place until the University removes the requirement upon the recommendations of the CDC or other public health officials. Individuals should not attend our in-person events if they — or anyone in their household — are displaying any symptoms of COVID-19.
ON CAMPUS PARKING
Courtesy parking for Writers Institute events on the Uptown Campus will be available in the State Quad Student Parking Lot one hour prior to and one hour after events.
Visitor parking lots are also available for $5 per vehicle, though parking spaces are very limited.
For Page Hall events on the Downtown Campus, courtesy parking will be available in the Thurlow Student Parking lot on Western Avenue. Handicapped entrances available: Milne Hall (from Washington Avenue) and Richardson Hall (Page Courtyard, Western Avenue).
For a map of the UAlbany campuses including parking lots, visit www.albany.edu/map
Robin Roberts interviews Zakiya Dalila Harris on Good Morning America
More Zakiya Dalila Harris
"The Other Black Girl in this new thriller may not be your friend" interviewed by Scott Simon on NPR's "Weekend Edition" May 29, 2021.
“Her book doesn't go easy on publishing. Publishers ate it up.” The New York Times, May 23, 2021.
Mark your calendars: 4th Annual Albany Book Festival, September 25
The fourth annual event, on Saturday, Sept. 25, at the University at Albany, will be held in-person for the first time since 2019. Events will begin at 10:30 a.m. and conclude at 5 p.m. All events are free and open to the public. More information at www.albanybookfestival.com
