Disrupting Politics: A Conversation with Andrew Yang
Schedule
Thu, 16 Apr, 2026 at 07:30 pm
UTC-04:00Location
135 Western Avenue Albany NY 12203 | Albany, NY
Andrew Yang rose to national prominence during the 2020 U.S. presidential campaign under the slogan “Make America Think Harder” (MATH), running on a platform promoting “universal basic income,” and a number of libertarian policies, including decriminalizing drugs, data privacy rights, and ending corporate welfare. His new book is Hey Yang, Where's My Thousand Bucks?: And Other True Stories of Staggering Depth (2026). In this frank, often hilarious memoir, the political trailblazer examines America’s breakdown through the lens of his unexpected journey from entrepreneur to presidential candidate.In 2021, he ran for mayor of New York City. He also Yang changed his voter registration from Democrat to Independent. In a statement about the change, Yang said, “Now that I’m not a member of one party or another, I feel like I can be even more honest about both the system and the people in it…I believe I can reach people who are outside the system more effectively. I feel more . . . independent.” In July 2022 Yang alongside former Democrats, Republicans and Independents formed the new political party Forward.
His previous books -- The War on Normal People and Forward: Notes on the Future of Our Democracy -- helped introduce the ideas of Universal Basic Income and ranked-choice voting into the mainstream. His most recent work was the novel The Last Election, cowritten with Stephen Marche.
Andrew Yang
7:30 p.m. Thursday, April 16
Page Hall - University at Albany Downtown Campus
135 Western Avenue
Albany NY 12203
Free and open to the public.
Books will be available for sale.
A signing will follow the conversation.
https://www.nyswritersinstitute.org/andrewyang
Reviews
"The last time I read one of Andrew’s books, I was so inspired I joined the Yang Gang on the campaign trail. His earnestness, kindness, and humor gives me faith in humanity. I’m looking forward to what this book inspires me to do." ― Dave Chappelle
"Andrew Yang’s new book perfectly captures what so many people find compelling about the guy: his compassion, his humor (I can’t count the number of times I laughed out loud while reading this), and his deep dedication to alleviating poverty and battling against job loss due to an over-automated workplace. A very timely―and remarkably upbeat―tome for our troubled times."
― Lisa Ling, journalist
"If you want to understand where we are and have a few laughs along the way, read this book."
― Mark Cuban
Where is it happening?
135 Western Avenue Albany NY 12203, 135 Western Ave, Albany, NY 12203-1011, United States
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