Upcoming events
I am available for in-person and online events at book stores, libraries and to invitation-only audiences including book clubs. Please get in touch if you’d like to discuss a possible event.
LA Times Festival of Books
Los Angeles Times Festival of Books
Laura will participate in a panel discussion titled “American Dreams and Nightmares: The Life of the American Suburb.” With Becky Nicolaides, Tracie McMillan, Benjamin Herold and Miriam Pawel
New York University
Book Talk
I’ll be in conversation with L’Heureux Lewis-McCoy, associate professor in the Sociology of Education program at NYU’s Steinhardt School of Culture, Education and Human Development; and Renee Romano, the Robert S. Danforth Professor of History and Professor of Comparative American Studies and Africana Studies at Oberlin College (and fellow Shakerite and friend of mine from high school).
University of Michigan-Dearborn campus
A book talk celebrating my grandmother
This book talk is part of a day of celebration marking the legacy of my grandmother, Dr. Frances Reissman Cousens, who was a sociology professor at the University of Michigan-Dearborn. UM-Dearborn’s Sociology Department is naming a lab in honor of two of the school’s beloved sociologists — Jim Gruber and my grandmother.
Redeemer Bethesda
Book talk and reading
Laura will be discussing and reading from her book Dream Town: Shaker Heights and the Quest for Racial Equity. Questions and answers welcomed. Book signing and wine and cheese reception to follow.
New Jersey Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism
Learning Together Book Conversation
An online discussion of Dream Town: Shaker Heights and the Quest for Racial Equity sponsored by the New Jersey Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism. In conversation with Rev. Eric Dobson, Deputy Director of the Fair Share Housing Center. Advance registration required at this link.
Cleveland History Center, University Circle
By the Book talk
Laura will be discussing her book Dream Town: Shaker Heights and the Quest for Racial Equity. Her appearance is part of the By the Book series at the Cleveland History Center featuring a diverse group of authors whose narratives draw on historic events.
Cleveland Jewish Book Festival
Cleveland Jewish Book Festival
Laura will be discussing her book Dream Town: Shaker Heights and the Quest for Racial Equity. This event is in conjunction with the Siegel Life Long Learning Program, and sponsored by the Sharon and Joel Freimuth Memorial Fund, beloved mother and brother of a dear friend.
Willowick Public Library
Book talk
Laura will be discussing her book Dream Town: Shaker Heights and the Quest for Racial Equity
Literati, Ann Arbor
Book talk
Laura will be discussing her book Dream Town: Shaker Heights and the Quest for Racial Equity
Miami Book Fair
On Racial Equity & the Legacy of Dr. King
King: A Life is the first major biography of civil rights icon Martin Luther King Jr. in decades; in it, JONATHAN EIG offers an intimate view of an emotionally troubled man who was rarely at peace with himself. In Dream Town: Shaker Heights and the Quest for Racial Equity, LAURA MECKLER tells the story of a decadeslong pursuit in Shaker Heights, Ohio, to become a national model for housing integration, uncovering the persistent roadblocks that have threatened the progress of racial equity.
Porter Square Books, Cambridge
Book talk
Laura will be discussing her book Dream Town: Shaker Heights and the Quest for Racial Equity
Bexley (Ohio) Public Library
Book talk in conversation with Kumi Walker
Laura will be discussing her book Dream Town: Shaker Heights and the Quest for Racial Equity
John Carroll University forum
John Carroll University forum
Laura will discuss her book Dream Town: Shaker Heights and the Quest for Racial Equity.
The City Club of Cleveland
The City Club Forum
Laura will be in conversation with WKYC anchor Russ Mitchell, discussing her book Dream Town: Shaker Heights and the Quest for Racial Equity. The event will also be livestreamed.
To register, please visit the City Club website.
Left Bank Books, St. Louis
Book talk, in conversation with Aisha Sultan
Laura will be discussing her book Dream Town: Shaker Heights and the Quest for Racial Equity.
She will be in conversation with Aisha Sultan, a nationally syndicated columnist, award-winning filmmaker and features writer. Her work has run in more than a hundred publications, including The Atlantic, the Wall Street Journal and Newsweek. Her work explores social change with an emphasis on education, families and inequality.
Cleveland Club of Washington, D.C. (virtual)
Book Talk
Laura gives a talk about Dream Town for an online event with the Cleveland Club of Washington, D.C. Cleveland-area ex-pats in D.C.—and anyone else interested—is welcome to join. RSVPs are requested.
National Press Club
NPC Headliners Book Event
Washington Post reporter Laura Meckler will discuss myths and realities of Shaker Heights at "Dream Town" book talk
Virtual forum
Virtual forum
Laura gives a talk about Dream Town, the history of Shaker Heights and its current challenges for an online event sponsored by the Ohio Fair Lending Coalition and Cleveland State University’s Levin College of Urban Affairs and Education. After Laura’s presentation, responses will be offered by Reuben Harris, Jr., a former parent activist and school board member; Carrie Pleasants, executive director of the Fair Housing Center for Rights & Research; and Lawrence Burnley, chief diversity, equity and inclusion officer, Shaker Heights City School District.
Registration is required.
Politics and Prose
Book talk, in conversation with Wesley Lowery
Laura will be in conversation with former Washington Post colleague Wesley Lowery, a fellow alumni of Shaker Heights High School. Wes is the NYT-best-selling author of American Whitelash.
Anshe Chesed Fairmount Temple
Shabbat services
Laura will appear as a guest speaker during Shabbat services, offering some of her favorite stories and most important lessons gleaned from her research and reporting of her book Dream Town: Shaker Heights and the Quest for Racial Equity. Among other points, she’ll offer observations about the role the Jewish community played in the integration of Shaker Heights and food for thought on the path ahead.
Cuyahoga County Library, Beachwood branch
Book Talk, in conversation with Susan Glaser
Laura will be in conversation with Susan Glaser, longtime and award-winning writer for the Plain Dealer and fellow alumni of Shaker Heights High School. Susan and Laura met at their first jobs at the Canton Repository. Susan lives in Shaker Heights and is the mother of two Shaker graduates.
Loganberry Books
Dream Town book launch
Celebrate publication day for Dream Town. Laura will be in conversation with Mark Joseph, father of three Shaker graduates and founding director of the National Initiative on Mixed-Income Communities at the Mandel School of Applied Social Sciences at Case Western Reserve University.