Marcia Chatelain — How Bright the Path Grows: The Untold Story of the Women Who Made the March on Washington - with Ashley Preston
Marcia Chatelain discusses *How Bright the Path Grows*, her group biography of the Black women artists and activists whose work was central to the 1963 March on Washington but often left out of its best-known history. The book examines the thirteen women who organized the demonstration, performed on its main stage, and were recognized in its tribute to Black women freedom fighters.
The conversation highlights both prominent figures—including Josephine Baker, Rosa Parks, Mahalia Jackson, and Daisy Bates—and lesser-known leaders such as choir director Eva Jessye, who created the event’s musical program, and organizer Anna Hedgeman, who advocated for the tribute to Black women. Chatelain, a University of Pennsylvania professor and Pulitzer Prize-winning author of *Franchise*, appears with Ashley Preston, a Howard University historian whose scholarship focuses on Black women’s activism and community-building.
When: Wednesday, October 7, 2026
Showtime: 7:00 p.m.
Venue: Politics and Prose at 5015 Connecticut Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
Tickets: Free
Seating: First come, first served.
Participants: Marcia Chatelain and Ashley Preston
About Marcia Chatelain: Chatelain is a professor of Africana Studies at the University of Pennsylvania and the author of *South Side Girls* and *Franchise*, which received the 2021 Pulitzer Prize in History along with several other major honors. She is also a public speaker and educational consultant.
About Ashley Preston: Preston is a tenured associate professor of history at Howard University. She previously directed the Mary McLeod Bethune Foundation National Historic Landmark and worked as an archives technician for the National Archives for Black Women’s History. She wrote *Mary McLeod Bethune in Florida: Bringing Social Justice to the Sunshine State* and *Mary McLeod Bethune the Pan-Africanist*.
Accessibility: To request accommodations or ask about accessibility, email events@politics-prose.com, ideally at least one week before the event. The venue will make efforts to accommodate requests received up to the event.
Related book: *How Bright the Path Grows: The Untold Story of the Women Who Made the March on Washington* is available in hardcover for $35.00. Its publication date is September 29, 2026, and its ISBN is 9780553387254.