Book Signing and Listening Event

We are pleased to be partnering with Novel for a special evening with book author Kwame Alexander along IMAKEMADBEATS for a special book signing and conversation of his latest children’s book How Sweet The Sound. Wednesday, January 15th 5-8pm

FREE to ATTEND RSVP:

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Featuring artists ranging from Miles Davis to Kendrick Lamar, dive into this stunningly illustrated celebration of the history of Black music in America by the award-winning author of The Undefeated. Listen to the sound of survival, courage, and democracy—the soundtrack of America. Hear Billie Holiday’s raspy, mournful voice, and tap your foot to Louis Armstrong’s trumpet. Scream with James Brown and bop your head to Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five. Can you spot the 80+ references to artists like Robert Johnson, Ella Fitzgerald, Jimi Hendrix, Whitney Houston, Lauryn Hill, and Beyonce? Come dance to Kwame Alexander’s melodious narrative of the history of Black music in America, accompanied by the vibrant illustrations of Charly Palmer. The book includes extensive back matter, providing even more context and history about the music and musicians.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Kwame Alexander is a poet, educator, producer and #1 New York Times bestselling author of 40 books, including An American Story, The Door of No Return, Becoming Muhammad Ali (co-authored with James Patterson), Rebound, which was shortlisted for the prestigious UK Carnegie Medal, and The Undefeated, the National Book Award nominee, Newbery Honor, and Caldecott Medal-winning picture book illustrated by Kadir Nelson. Kwame is also the Executive Producer, Showrunner, and Emmy-winning Writer of The Crossover TV series, based on his Newbery-Medal winning novel of the same name, which premiered on Disney+ in April 2023. The series was produced in partnership with LeBron James’ SpringHill Company and Big Sea Entertainment, Kwame’s production company that is dedicated to creating innovative, highly original children’s and family entertainment. Other current projects in development at Big Sea include America’s Next Great Author, the groundbreaking reality television series for writers. A regular contributor to NPR’s Morning Edition, he regularly shares his passion for literacy, books and the craft of writing there and around the world at events like the Chautauqua Lecture Series, the Edinburgh Book Festival, Aspen Ideas, and the Global Literacy Symposium in Ghana, where he opened the Barbara E. Alexander Memorial Library and Health Clinic in Ghana. Most recently he was appointed the Rudell Artistic Director of Literary Arts and Writer-in-Residence at the Chautauqua Institution.

ABOUT THE CONVERSATION PARTNER:

IMAKEMADBEATS, born James Dukes, is a Memphis native with deep roots in the city’s unique sonic identity. After initially feeling disconnected from the creative paths available in his hometown, he moved to Manhattan, where he became a go-to ghost producer at the legendary Quad Studios and scored for film and television, working with companies like NBC, HBO, and more. His career saw collaborations with notable artists such as Talib Kweli, Solange, Ludacris, and more. Upon returning to Memphis, IMAKEMADBEATS founded UNAPOLOGETIC., a storytelling label that champions creatives to express themselves authentically. UNAPOLOGETIC. has been a transformative force in Memphis, organizing events, producing music, and even developing an app to showcase its content. IMAKEMADBEATS’ contributions earned recognition from the New Memphis Institute, Steve Case, and others. IMAKEMADBEATS also ventured into film, contributing to the Golden Globe-nominated The Burial of Kojo and winning multiple awards for his short film The Devil Will Run. His dedication to community development is seen through his work in Orange Mound, where he and partner TONE purchased land to establish a hub for Black innovation. In 2022, he received the key to Shelby County and is an official art ambassador for Memphis. In 2024, he served as a consultant and influencer for the PGA Tour at the FedEx St. Jude Championship.