Connecting with the Past Through Historical Fiction
February 2 @ 2:30 pm - 4:30 pm
Dwight Wilson is a lifelong activist and author of 14 published books. He will share excerpts and reflections from his published series of stories, written in the voice of his 4th great grandmother, Sarah, a fugitive slave from Culpeper VA who married Charles Ferguson, a Quaker descended from the Penn family. Wilson’s stories cover the period between 1795 and the beginning of the Civil War. These works highlight fascinating historical intertwining between Native Americans, white Quaker families, and Black former slaves. Kirkus Review says this about his latest installment of his 3-book series, The Resistors: “[this] new volume of historical fiction weaves together 24 short stories to create a remarkable, multihued portrait of America. These are the stories of slavery and the brave black, white, Native American, and multiracial men and women who fought against it.” (see: https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/dwight-l-wilson/the-resistors/). Dwight will have signed copies of his books available for purchase.
Dwight is the 2024 Interfaith Council for Peace & Justice Honoree in acknowledgement of a lifetime dedicated to community building, activism, and helping to mentor other justice workers. Just a few highlights include working with handicapped children, elderly individuals, incarcerated men, and he currently volunteers at Mott Children’s Hospital, giving babies loving human touch. He was the among the earliest conscientious objectors to the Viet Nam War and was the first black General Secretary of Friends General Conference (Quakers). He has published 14 books including short stories, novels, Psalms, Haiku collections, and a memoir.
