Author Visit: Be Steadwell

We're thrilled to welcome debut novelist, accomplished musician, filmmaker, and screenwriter Be Steadwell. Join us for a discussion about their debut novel Chocolate Chip City, and the ups and downs of publishing your first book. Dontaná McPherson-Joseph, an Oak Park Collection Management Librarian, will moderate.

About the book:

Chocolate Chip City tells the story of the Jones sisters: three enchanted Black women searching for purpose as adults in modern day DC. Tensions rise as a crush develops between Jasmine Jones, a leftist baker, and Zora Scott, the daughter of DC's richest Black developer. Chocolate Chip City explores themes of identity, class, love, and change in the context of gentrification.
 

About the author:

Be Steadwell (They, She, He, Be)

Be is a queer pop composer and storyteller from Washington DC.  Be composes songs on stage using looping, vocal layering and beat boxing.  Be's original music features earnest lyricism, and affirming queer content.  Be's goal as a musician is to make other black girlies, introverts and weirdos feel seen and loved. A multifaceted artist, Be's credits include the short film Vow of Silence, which screened in film festivals around the world, including Black Star, HBO OutFest, The Schomburg Center and Inside Out Toronto, Dear Ex, the musical, and Parable of the Sower the Opera by Toshi Reagon and Dr. Bernice Johnson Reagon. A graduate of Oberlin College and Howard University, Be currently tours their music, and is an adjunct lecturer at Howard University. Chocolate Chip City is Be's debut novel.