When Detroit Played the Numbers Author Talk with Felicia B. George

Program Type:

Adult Program, Author Visit

Age Group:

Adults
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Program Description

Event Details

Adult Programs

Author/speaker Felicia B. George sheds light on the lives of Detroit’s numbers operators--many self-made entrepreneurs who overcame poverty and navigated the pitfalls of racism and capitalism by both legal and illegal means. Despite scandal and exploitation, these operators and their families also became important members of the community, providing steady employment and financial support for local businesses. Join the speaker as she provides a glimpse into the rich culture and history of Detroit’s Black Bottom and Paradise Valley neighborhoods, linking the growing gambling scene there with key characters and moments in local history, including Joe Louis’s rise to fame and the recall of a mayor backed by the Ku Klux Klan. And be sure to borrow a copy of When Detroit Played the Numbers from TPL, a Michigan Notable Book for 2025.

Priority registration will be given to Troy Public Library card holders. If you do not have a TPL-issued library card, you may register without a card to be put on the Pending Waitlist. If there is space available one week before the program you will be moved to the main registration list and notified. Click here to apply for a TPL card.