BURN DOWN MASTER’S HOUSE w/ Clay Cane | Busboys and Poets Books

"To refill my well of radical hope, I read resistance stories. Whether from history or from historical imagination. Burn Down Master's House is a resistance story for the ages. Clay Cane's gripping novel is based on real stories of enslaved women and men, of their audacious struggle against slavery." –Ibram X. Kendi, National Book Award-winning author of Stamped from the Beginning

The New York Times bestselling author of The Grift takes historical fiction to a new level in a genre-defying novel—both intimate and epic—that unveils stories of revolt against chattel slavery in the nineteenth-century American South. These stories, largely erased or forgotten, are now unearthed and brought to life. Amid the smoke and turmoil of a divided nation, another fire stirs. Their rebellions are quiet at times, explosive at others, but never mere resistance—this is outright opposition. When the flames come, justice will rise with them. Inspired by the true stories of courageous men and women who dared to fight back, Burn Down Master’s House is a singular tour de force—breathtaking in scope, compassion, and timeliness that speaks powerfully to our present era.

Clay Cane is joining us on the Busboys stage alongside radio host, author, and fearless advocate Reecie Colbert. Copies of the book will be available for purchase before, during, and after the event, and Cane will be signing following the program. Signed copies will also be available for shipping through this Eventbrite page- your purchase of the book includes shipping anywhere in the United States via USPS.

This event is free and open to all. Our program begins at 5:00 pm, and will be followed by an audience Q&A. Copies of BURN DOWN MASTER’S HOUSE will be available for purchase before and after the event. Please note that this event is in person and will be livestreamed.

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Clay Cane is an award-winning journalist, radio host, political analyst, and New York Times bestselling author. His book, The Grift: The Downward Spiral of Black Republicans from the Party of Lincoln to the Cult of Trump, released in January 2024, quickly soared to the bestseller lists, including USA Today, Publisher's Weekly, and became an instant New York Times bestseller.

Clay’s sharp insights and engaging commentary have been featured on television networks like MSNBC, CNN, FOX, and ABC. His interview roster includes Vice President Kamala Harris, Dan Rather, Whoopi Goldberg, Tyler Perry, Beyoncé Knowles, and more.

In addition to his bestselling books, Clay was a co-editor and contributor to the 2012 anthology For Colored Boys Who Have Considered Suicide When the Rainbow Is Still Not Enough: Coming of Age, Coming Out, and Coming Home, and he contributed to Where Did Our Love Go: Love and Relationships in the African American Community in 2013. His first book, Live Through This: Surviving the Intersections of Sexuality, God and Race, released in 2017, received critical acclaim.

Clay is a Rutgers University graduate, Phi Beta Kappa, with a B.A. in English and African American Studies. His BET documentary, Holler If You Hear Me: Black and Gay in the Church, earned a 2016 GLAAD Media Award nomination and was showcased at a Black History Month event at the Obama White House. His radio show, The Clay Cane Show, launched in November 2017 on SiriusXM’s Urban View channel 126, delves into politics and culture with thought leaders, activists, and celebrities, reaching millions of listeners weekly.

Reecie Colbert is a dynamic Sirius XM radio host, bestselling author, fearless advocate, captivating speaker, and esteemed democratic political strategist. With her signature unbossed and unfiltered delivery, Colbert empowers audiences as she demystifies complex topics and debunks disinformation, a service sorely needed in our contemporary socio-political landscape.

A central figure in national politics, Reecie's multifaceted career sees her covering White House events as a credentialed press and moderating influential panels with the country's top mayors. Unwilling to be pigeonholed, her rich content encompasses hard-hitting political commentary and entertaining pop culture insights, extending her reach from interviewing prominent figures like Star Jones and Governor Wes Moore, to hosting The Reecie Colbert Show, a live call-in talk show focusing on politics and culture.

Since her debut on Sirius XM's Clay Cane Show in 2020, Reecie has quickly climbed the ladder, graduating from guest appearances to official contributor and fill-in host by 2022. By 2023, she debuted her own live radio call-in show, a platform dedicated to discussions on politics and culture.

Moreover, she frequently graces national cable networks like MSNBC, Cheddar TV, Revolt TV, News Nation, and Roland Martin Unfiltered on Black Star Network, where she continues to share her expert takes on politics and culture.

Reecie's writing prowess is exemplified in her Amazon bestselling book series, "The Long and Short of it Guide to the 2022 Midterms". Furthermore, as a seasoned White House press pooler, her thought-provoking articles feature in platforms like EURweb, Mediaite, and The Grio.

Renowned for her public speaking, Reecie enlightens audiences on an array of topics, including leadership, politics, media, current affairs, and disinformation, at prestigious organizations and institutions such as Northwestern University, SWHELPER, Higher Heights, and NABJ. Her resume boasts moderating a high-profile panel discussion with distinguished mayors at the Guaranteed Income Now conference.

A UCLA and Northeastern University alumnus, Reecie lives in the Washington, D.C. area, with her husband and daughter. If you're seeking a powerful, dynamic Black woman speaker who can compellingly connect with diverse audiences, inspire partnerships, or provide engaging content for a wide range of listeners, Reecie Colbert is your go-to choice.

BOOK DETAILS

Burn Down Master’s House

By Clay Cane

January 27, 2026 | Hardcover, 300 pages, $27.00

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