Small acts of courage can change the world. Our history is filled with stories of those who fought for democracy and freedom, from Mahatma Gandhi and Nelson Mandela to Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. These iconic struggles highlight the importance of activism and offer a template for today’s battles. However, action can be hard and costly.

MSNBC host Ali Velshi shares a deeply personal story in "Small Acts of Courage," tapping into 125 years of his family's history. His greatgrandfather sent his sevenyearold son to Gandhi’s ashram, Tolstoy Farm, in South Africa, a decision that forever changed their family's trajectory. Velshi's grandfather embraced public service, social justice, and absolute equality—values that carried forward as his family escaped apartheid and emigrated to Kenya, then Canada, and the United States.

Join us inperson or online to hear Velshi’s inspiring stories of ordinary people making extraordinary commitments to social change. Discover how we can revitalize the principles of pluralistic democracy and make a lasting impact.

This program is part of our Good Lit series, underwritten by the Bernard Osher Foundation.

Photo by NBC Universal.

May 14, 2024

Speakers

Ali Velshi

Host, "Velshi"; Chief Correspondent, MSNBC; Weekly Economics Contributor, NPR’s "Here and Now"; Author, Small Acts of Courage: A Legacy of Endurance and the Fight for Democracy; X @AliVelshi

In Conversation with Rana Sarkar
Consul General of Canada

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The Commonwealth Club of California is the nation's oldest and largest public affairs forum , bringing together its 20,000 members for more than 500 annual events on topics ranging across politics, culture, society and the economy.

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