Join the 1882 Foundation and the Locke Foundation in the historic town of Locke for a Talk Story with debut author Madelyn Postman. RSVP here.

Talk Story: Staring into the Sun

Postman's debut book Staring into the Sun traces multiple generations of her Chinese American family from1895 to 2015 and reflects on themes of immigration and identity, intergenerational loss, and cultural erasure. Spanning continents and centuries, the collection weaves together stories from her great-grandfather Joe Shoong's journey from the impoverished outskirts of Zhongshan, China, to the National Dollar Stores of the American West, and finally, to Postman's own reckoning with her mother's death by suicide and what it means to carry a secret that shaped her entire life. RSVP here.

The event will include a plaque unveiling at the Locke Chinese Schoolhouse (refurbished with funding from Joe Shoong in 1952 ); an author talk and Q+A; a book signing with the author; and complimentary light refreshments. Please bring cash to purchase the book ($17). All ages are welcome.

This event is hosted in partnership with the 1882 Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to ensuring the history, experiences, and contributions of Chinese Americans are recognized, preserved, and included in the American story. Learn more here: https://1882foundation.org

Schedule

12:30 Locke Foundation plaque unveiling at the Locke Chinese School Museum

1:00 Talk Story: Staring into the Sun at the Pearl

2:30 Book signing with Madelyn Postman

3:00 Reception (free refreshments) at the Jan Ying Museum