Author Talk: Journalist April Ryan With Stephen Henderson

The Author Series Committee welcomes journalists April Ryan and Stephen Henderson. They will be talking about Ryan's latest book, Notes on a Blacklash: When a Black Woman Goes Viral (Amistad, 2026).

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. This isn’t just the story of one viral moment with President Trump. It’s about the avalanche that follows: the scrutiny, the emotional and physical toll, and the way your identity can become fuel for headlines and hashtags.

April pulls back the curtain on what it truly costs to be seen and what it takes to survive it. With vulnerability and power, she recounts the moments that made her go viral, not because she chased attention, but because she showed up authentically. Her presence, her truth, and her refusal to shrink under pressure struck a chord and sparked cultural firestorms.

From a high-stakes press room showdown to the history-making decision by Vice President Kamala Harris, from the public disrespect of Stevie Wonder to the slap heard around the world, April 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. What does it mean to go viral when your hair is politicized, your voice is policed, and your very existence is treated as a threat? Sometimes, this is what it feels like when the spotlight finds you: uninvited, unrelenting, and impossible to ignore.

Copies of April's book will be available for sale from Source Booksellers.

About April: April Ryan is a renowned journalist, author, and political analyst. She hosts The Tea with April on Substack and has authored Black Women Will Save the World and Under Fire. Based in the surrounding Baltimore area, Ryan continues to amplify critical conversations on race, gender, and politics.

About Stephen: Stephen Henderson is an American journalist who won the 2014 Pulitzer Prize for commentary and the 2014 National Association of Black Journalists Journalist of the Year Award while writing for the Detroit Free Press. A native of Detroit, Stephen is a graduate of the University of Detroit Jesuit High School and the University of Michigan. In 2020, he founded BridgeDetroit, where he serves as Executive Editor. He has worked for the Baltimore Sun, the Chicago Tribune, the Lexington Herald-Leader and Knight Ridder. Henderson is co-host of One Detroit and host of American Black Journal on Detroit Public Television.

This is NOT a ticketed event, which means seats are available on a first-come, first-serve basis. Registering for April's talk is highly encouraged in order to receive important updates about his visit.

Questions? Email [email protected]!