For immediate release:
EDMONTON, AB, Thursday, April 6, 2023 — Four remarkable individuals will visit Edmonton in 2023 to speak as part of the Edmonton Public Library’s (EPL) Forward Thinking Speaker Series.
Award-winning singer, songwriter, actor and author, Jann Arden, lawyer and social justice activist, Bryan Stevenson, award-winning author and founder of the Moral Courage College, Irshad Manji, and Olympic medalist and Canadian soccer player Christine Sinclair will share their insights, experiences and viewpoints as part of the ongoing series.
“The goal of the Forward Thinking Speaker Series is to inspire critical thinking and discussion, and ultimately help build community,” said Pilar Martinez, EPL’s Chief Executive Officer. “We are thrilled to be hosting these extraordinary thought-leaders this year.”
The Forward Thinking Speaker Series started in 2015 and has hosted over 40 speakers to sold-out audiences thanks to speakers such as Neil Gaiman, George Takei, Sir Salman Rushdie, Arlene Dickinson, Monica Lewinsky and many others. The Series reflects EPL’s rich history of encouraging dynamic discussions, responding to community demand and redefining the modern library. EPL invites thought leaders from a variety of industries and topics to share their insights, ideas, experiences and viewpoints.
Tickets can be purchased closer to the date of each event at epl.ca.
Lineup Details:
- From Polarization to Collaboration with Irshad Manji, Thursday, June 8
- My Story: Jann Arden, Tuesday, June 20
- An Evening with Bryan Stevenson, Tuesday, Oct. 3
- Scoring Success with Christine Sinclair, Sunday, Nov. 19
All proceeds from these events will go towards EPL’s Ready. Set. READ! early literacy initiative. This program gifts children from birth to age five one new, age-appropriate book each month. Books are mailed to the family’s home and are theirs to keep forever, helping create their own little library.
Please note the speakers are not open to media interviews.
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About the Edmonton Public Library
The Edmonton Public Library (EPL) is proud to be 2014 Library of the Year! We’ve come a long way since 1913 when books were all you could find on our shelves… and we’re just getting started! Today, EPL carries everything you care about. We are Edmonton’s largest lender of all manner of information and entertainment. Our professionally trained staff take you beyond Google with the knowledge, discernment and desire to help you navigate a universe of information. The second most visited place in Edmonton, every year EPL hosts over 15.4 million in branch and online visits across our 21 branches and website. We deliver our incredible content to you everywhere – in the library, at home or on your handheld device. Unmatched access and unrivalled value – that is today’s EPL. EPL is a registered charity and relies on donations to enhance services. Spread the words. www.epl.ca/give
Media Contact:
Marina Afonso, Communications Specialist, Edmonton Public Library
Marina.afonso@epl.ca | 780.819.4337
