April Ryan: NOTES ON A BLACKLASH

Notes on a Blacklash is veteran White House reporter April Ryan's gripping, soul-baring look at what happens when the world suddenly turns its full attention on you.

On November 4, she joins The Ivy Bookshop at The Church of the Redeemer to tell its story. And that's more than just one viral moment with President Trump-- it's about all the moments that made her go viral, not because she chased attention, but because she showed up authentically. It's the story of Ryan's presence, her truth, and her refusal to shrink under pressure. It explores how race, gender, and power collide in a world addicted to outrage and instant opinions.

At its core, this book explores visibility--its price, its power, and the fight to reclaim your story when millions are watching. Its energetic spirit is contagious, and we look forward to this evening together, reminding ourselves of all the things worth standing up for.

Order NOTES ON A BLACKLASH here!

White House Correspondent April Ryan has a unique vantage point as the only Black female reporter covering urban issues from the White House – a position she has held for 29 years, since the Clinton era. She is now the longest-serving Black tenured White House Correspondent in the History of the United States. Her position as a White House Correspondent has afforded her unusual insight into the racial sensitivities, issues, and attendant political struggles of our nation’s past presidents.

April can be seen on MSNBC as a Political Contributor. In addition, April is the Host of Contrarian’s “The Tea With April Ryan,” where she sits down each week with political leaders and activists shaping the future in real time.

She has been featured in Essence, Vogue, Cosmopolitan and Elle magazines – to name a few. April Ryan has served on the board of the prestigious White House Correspondents Association.

She is one of only three African Americans in the Association’s over 100-year history to serve on its board. She is also an esteemed member of the National Press Club. In 2015, Ms. Ryan was nominated for an NAACP Image Award (Outstanding Literary Work - Debut Author) for her first book.

In 2016, she was presented with the Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune Trailblazer Award from the National Council of Negro Women. In 2019, April Ryan became an honorary member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated and was recognized as the 2019 Freedom of the Press Award Winner by the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press. April was nominated in 2021 with the NAACP Image Award for Social Justice Impact. In 2024, she was selected as an honoree for the category of “Media Maves” as part of EBONY Magazine’s Power 100. April is a Baltimore native and Morgan State University graduate, and she gives back to this community by serving as a mentor to aspiring journalists and assisting with developing “up and coming” broadcasters. April considers her greatest life’s work raising her two daughters, Ryan and Grace – who are phenomenal young women.

April Ryan is the author of the award-winning book, The Presidency in Black and White, and At Mama's Knee: Mothers and Race in Black and White (December 2016), where she looks at race relations through the lessons and wisdom that mothers have given their children. April is also the author of Under Fire: Reporting from the Front Lines of the Trump White House. Her latest book, Black Women Will Save the World, celebrates Black women's resilience and unheralded strength, reflects on "The Year That Changed Everything" — 2020 — and discusses African-American women's unprecedented role in upholding democracy.

April is a Baltimore, Maryland native and the co-owner of JARE Candles, a candle business she owns and operates with her husband. The company is Baltimore county based and is Black woman and Veteran owned.