Keynote Speakers

Opening Keynote: Nikole Hannah-Jones

Nikole Hannah-Jones is the Pulitzer Prize-winning creator of the 1619 Project and a staff writer at The New York Times Magazine. The book version of The 1619 Project as well as the 1619 Project children’s book, Born on the Water, were instant #1 New York Times bestsellers. Her 1619 Project is now a six-part docuseries on Hulu and won the Emmy for Outstanding Documentary or Nonfiction Series.

Closing Keynote: Annalee Newitz

Annalee Newitz writes science fiction and nonfiction. They are the author of three novels: The Terraformers, The Future of Another Timeline, and Autonomous, which won the Lambda Literary Award. As a science journalist, they are the author of Stories Are Weapons: Psychological Warfare and the American Mind, Four Lost Cities: A Secret History of the Urban Age and Scatter, Adapt and Remember: How Humans Will Survive a Mass Extinction, which was a finalist for the LA Times Book Prize in science.

Join the American Library Association’s National Intellectual Freedom Summit. This Summit is designed to shape a comprehensive strategy to combat the escalating phenomena of misinformation, disinformation, and censorship centered around book banning. We are thrilled to announce the Summit keynote speaker, Nikole Hannah-Jones. Opening remarks will be given by ALA President, Cindy Hohl.

At this pivotal time, we need your voice to inform this critical initiative. Join us in September to learn, engage, and take action in favor of Intellectual Freedom—because Free People Read Freely.

This event is an invitation only event. We ask all invited guests to RSVP regardless of ability to attend and to not share this invitation with others.

Welcome Reception

September 16, 2024
6:00p–7:30p
Library of Congress Jefferson Building, Great Hall, 10 First Street, S.E. Washington, DC
Reception sponsored by Carnegie Corporation of New York

National Summit

September 17, 2024
9:00a–4:00p
Library of Congress James Madison Building, Mumford Room, 101 Independence Avenue, S.E. Washington, D

Questions? Contact us at oif@ala.org.

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