Author Talk with Byron Williams

• Liberty and Equality in America: Examining the Radical and Paradoxical Legacy of the Declaration of Independence
• Wednesday, October 7, 2026. 12pm - 1:00pm
• In-person and Virtual event. No registration required.
• State Library of Massachusetts - Room 341, Massachusetts State House
• Livestream on YouTube

The State Library Author Talks Series welcomes author, adjunct professor, and former NPR-affiliate host, Byron Williams, as our October speaker.

This is an in-person and virtual event. The livestream available on our YouTube channel courtesy of the Massachusetts House of Representatives Broadcast Services. Tune in at noon!

Be sure to sign up for our Author Talks newsletter and follow our social media channels (Instagram, Facebook, and X) for the latest information on our visiting authors. If you are unable to attend, the recording will be posted to our YouTube channel to watch anytime - view all past recordings here!

About the book: Byron Williams’ sixth book examines the central tension between America's founding ideals of liberty and equality and the country's often contradictory history. Williams looks at issues including slavery, westward expansion, capitalism, civil rights, education, and civil liberties. As the nation celebrates its 250th anniversary, Williams takes a timely look at the Declaration of Independence and reflects on America's founding promises versus its lived reality and how this gap will shape the nation's future.

About the author: Byron Williams is a columnist, author, former NPR-affiliate host, and adjunct professor. His weekly social/political column appears in the Huffington Post, the Winston Salem Journal and the Bay Area News Group.

Williams' most recent literary entry, Liberty and Equality in America, is a second edition to his 2020 offering The Radical Declaration: An Enlightened America Idea, five thought provoking essays that uses the Declaration of Independence to examine the American narrative through its stated commitments of liberty and equality and its unstated silent partner, paradox; it was ranked #1 by Amazon for Historical essays. In 2022, he penned Our American Experiment, a collection of fictionalized short stories critiquing the American moment. In 2013, he wrote 1963: The Year of Hope and Hostility, which won the 2014 International Book Award for US History.

In 2010 and 2011, Williams' work was nationally recognized by the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD), which nominated him for “Columnist of the Year.” Williams has spoken across the country and appeared on numerous television and radio news programs, including CNN, MSNBC, ABC Radio, Fox News, and National Public Radio. In 2026, Williams was featured by USA Today, along with other noted scholars, writers, and artists examining the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.

As always, this author talk is free and open to all. If you are able to join us in person for this talk, attendees will be able to participate in a question-and-answer session with the author. Books will be available to purchase after the event; $20.00 cash, check, or Venmo accepted.

Any questions or concerns, please email us at AuthorTalks.StateLibrary@mass.gov. For more information on the State Library Author Talks series, please visit our site.


April Pascucci
On behalf of the Author Talks Committee