Michigan Humanities

Great Michigan Read partner event featuring Curtis Chin: Battle Creek
2026-04-09 13:00 - 14:00 (America/Detroit) | Binda Performing Arts Center, 450 North Ave, Battle Creek, MI, United States
Kellogg Community College will host award-winning author Curtis Chin as part of a free Great Michigan Read author visit on campus on April 9.
Chin’s memoir, Everything I Learned, I Learned in a Chinese Restaurant, chronicles his experiences growing up as a gay Chinese American kid in 1980s Detroit, coming out in his working-class immigrant community and being a first-generation college student at the University of Michigan.
The KCC event, which is free and open to the public, will begin at 1 p.m. Thursday, April 9, at the Binda Performing Arts Center, on campus at 450 North Ave. in Battle Creek.
Chin’s book is this year’s selection for the Great Michigan Read, the signature program of Michigan Humanities that brings communities across the state together to read a single Michigan-centered book.
KCC Director of Library Services Jenn Washburn said KCC is Chin’s first stop on his Great Michigan Read tour across the state this spring. Several copies of the book are available for checkout at KCC’s Morris Library, as well as from area public libraries.
Community members who’d like to check out the book and who reside in the College’s service area in Barry, Branch or Calhoun County can register for a free community borrower’s card at the library’s checkout desk. For more information, contact the library at 269-965-4122.
This program is made possible in part by a grant from Michigan Humanities, an affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities. Learn more at michiganhumanities.org/great-michigan-read.

Great Michigan Read partner event featuring Curtis Chin: Grand Rapids
2026-04-11 15:00 - 16:00 | Kent District Library – Kentwood Branch, 4950 Breton Rd SE, Kentwood, Michigan, 49508
Hear from Curtis Chin, award-winning author and social justice documentary filmmaker, as he discusses Everything I Learned, I Learned in a Chinese Restaurant, his memoir that is drawing all of Michigan together as the 2025-26 Great Michigan Read. This event will be moderated by Meena Ariagno, Host of Eavesdrop With Meena®️ Podcast, WMAAA Conversation Partner. A book signing with the author will take place after the event.
This event is made possible in part by a grant from Michigan Humanities, an affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities. This program is also brought to the library in partnership with the West Michigan Asian American Association. For more information on the Great Michigan Read, visit michiganhumanities.org.

Great Michigan Read Spring Author Tour: Lansing
2026-04-12 13:00 - 15:00 | Riverwalk Theatre, 228 Museum Dr, Lansing, MI, 48933, United States
Join co-hosts, the Capital City Film Festival, Capital Area District Libraries, and Michigan State University Libraries in Lansing on April 12 for a free event featuring a conversation with Curtis Chin, author of the current Great Michigan Read, Everything I Learned, I Learned in a Chinese Restaurant. Following a conversation with Curtis, books will be available for sale and signing. Registration is recommended, please register here.
The 2025–26 Great Michigan Read is presented by Michigan Humanities. Additional support is provided by national, statewide, and local partners, including the Library of Michigan and MSU Federal Credit Union.

Great Michigan Read Spring Author Tour: Muskegon
2026-04-13 18:30 - 20:00 | The Corner, 280 West Muskegon Avenue, Muskegon, MI, 49440, United States
Join co-hosts Muskegon Area District Library and Muskegon Community College in Muskegon on April 13 for a free event featuring a conversation with Curtis Chin, author of the current Great Michigan Read, Everything I Learned, I Learned in a Chinese Restaurant. Following a conversation with Curtis, books will be available for sale and signing. Registration is required, please register here.
The 2025–26 Great Michigan Read is presented by Michigan Humanities. Additional support is provided by national, statewide, and local partners, including the Library of Michigan and MSU Federal Credit Union.

Great Michigan Read partner event featuring Curtis Chin: Alma
2026-04-14 13:00 - 15:00 | Ballyhoo Books, 111 W Superior St, Alma, MI, 48801, United States
Join Ballyhoo Books on April 14 as they host Curtis Chin, author of the 2025-26 Great Michigan Read title Everything I Learned, I Learned In a Chinese Restaurant.

Great Michigan Read partner event featuring Curtis Chin: University Center
2026-04-15 12:00 - 13:30 | Delta College Main Campus, Lecture Theater, 1961 Delta Rd, University Center, MI, 48710, United States
Curtis Chin, award-winning author, producer and activist, will visit Delta College, Wednesday, April 15 at noon on the main campus for a reading and discussion of his memoir, Everything I Learned, I Learned in a Chinese Restaurant.
The Delta College Humanities Learning Center (HLC) and President’s Speaker Series committee partnered to bring this Great Michigan Read to our community. This event is free and open to the public.

Great Michigan Read Spring Author Tour: Flint
2026-04-15 18:00 - 19:00 | Gloria Coles Flint Public Library, C.S. Mott Foundation Community Room, 1026 E Kearsley St, Flint, MI, 48503, United States
Join co-host Gloria Coles Flint Public Library on April 15 for a free event featuring a conversation with Curtis Chin, author of the current Great Michigan Read, Everything I Learned, I Learned in a Chinese Restaurant. Following a conversation with Curtis, books will be available for sale and signing.
The 2025–26 Great Michigan Read is presented by Michigan Humanities. Additional support is provided by national, statewide, and local partners, including the Library of Michigan and MSU Federal Credit Union.

Great Michigan Read Spring Author Tour: Port Huron
2026-04-16 18:00 - 19:00 | Don Dodge Auditorium, 200 Grand River Ave, Port Huron, MI, 48060, United States
Join co-hosts, St. Clair County Library System, Blue Water Allies, and St. Clair County Community College on April 16 for a free event featuring a conversation with Curtis Chin, author of the current Great Michigan Read, Everything I Learned, I Learned in a Chinese Restaurant. Following a conversation with Curtis, books will be available for sale and signing. Registration is required, please register here.
The 2025–26 Great Michigan Read is presented by Michigan Humanities. Additional support is provided by national, statewide, and local partners, including the Library of Michigan and MSU Federal Credit Union.

Great Michigan Read partner event featuring Curtis Chin: Morenci
2026-04-18 13:00 - 14:00 | Stair District Library, 228 W Main St, Morenci, MI, 49256, United States
Join the Stair District Library for an author visit with the 2025–26 Great Michigan Read author, Curtis Chin, on April 18th at 1 p.m.

Great Michigan Read partner event featuring Curtis Chin: Ann Arbor
2026-04-18 19:00 - 20:30 | Cluster Museum, 307 N Main St, Ann Arbor, MI, 48104, United States
Chin will be joined in conversation by University of Michigan Professors Nadine Hubbs and William A. Calvo-Quirós exploring themes of immigration, identity, community and the experience of growing up queer in 1980’s American and outside its borders. Together, they will reflect on how a place of upbringing becomes the setting for an unlikely origin story: In Chin’s case a Chinese restaurant becomes the setting for how a closeted Chinese boy raised on republican politics transforms into a searingly honest Gay writer and activist for social and political activism in both the LGBTQ+ and AAPI communities. This event is free and open to the public, but registration is required. Please register here.
The event is moderator by CLUSTER co-founder Chien-An Yuan.
This event is made possible in part by a grant from Michigan Humanities, an affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities.

Great Michigan Read Spring Author Tour: Charlevoix
2026-05-11 18:00 - 19:30 | Charlevoix Public Library, 220 Clinton St, Charlevoix, Michigan, 49720
Join the Charlevoix Public Library on May 11 at 6 p.m. for a free event featuring a conversation with Curtis Chin, author of the current Great Michigan Read, Everything I Learned, I Learned in a Chinese Restaurant. Following a conversation with Curtis, books will be available for sale and signing.
The 2025–26 Great Michigan Read is presented by Michigan Humanities. Additional support is provided by national, statewide, and local partners, including the Library of Michigan and MSU Federal Credit Union.

Great Michigan Read Spring Author Tour: Sault Ste. Marie
2026-05-12 18:00 - 19:00 | Bayliss Public Library, 541 Library Drive, Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, 49783
Join the Bayliss Public Library on May 12 at 6 p.m. for a free event featuring a conversation with Curtis Chin, author of the current Great Michigan Read, Everything I Learned, I Learned in a Chinese Restaurant. Following a conversation with Curtis, books will be available for sale and signing.
The 2025–26 Great Michigan Read is presented by Michigan Humanities. Additional support is provided by national, statewide, and local partners, including the Library of Michigan and MSU Federal Credit Union.

Great Michigan Read Spring Author Tour: Marquette
2026-05-13 17:30 - 20:00 | Peter White Public Library, 217 N Front St, Marquette, Michigan, 49855
Join the Peter White Public Library on May 13 at 5:30 p.m. for Let’s Dish: Sharing Culture, Stories & Connection, a free event featuring a conversation with Curtis Chin, author of the current Great Michigan Read, Everything I Learned, I Learned in a Chinese Restaurant. The event will begin at 5:30 p.m. with an opening reception featuring light cuisine from the Rice Paddy. Books will be available for sale from Snowbound Books.
This is a ticketed event, and all tickets have been claimed. Peter White Public Library will be livestreaming the event on its YouTube channel; individuals who were not able to obtain a ticket can watch the full event there. For more information, contact Marty at 226-4322, machatz@pwpl.info, or visit pwpl.info.
This event is part of Michigan Humanities’ By the People program series called Let’s Dish: Sharing Culture, Stories & Connection. By the People: Conversations Beyond 250 is a series of community-driven programs created by humanities councils in collaboration with local partners. The initiative was developed by the Federation of State Humanities Councils and the Smithsonian Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage.
The 2025–26 Great Michigan Read is presented by Michigan Humanities. Additional support is provided by national, statewide, and local partners, including the Library of Michigan and MSU Federal Credit Union.

Great Michigan Read Partner Event: St. Ignace
2026-05-14 18:00 - 19:00 | St. Ignace Public Library, 110 W Spruce St, St. Ignace, Michigan, 49781
Join the St. Ignace Public Library on May 14 at 6 p.m. for a free partner event featuring a conversation with Curtis Chin, author of the current Great Michigan Read, Everything I Learned, I Learned in a Chinese Restaurant.
This event is made possible in part by a Great Michigan Read Action Grant from Michigan Humanities.

Great Michigan Read Spring Author Tour: West Branch
2026-05-15 19:00 - 20:30 | China Inn Restaurant, 601 W Houghton Ave, West Branch, Michigan, 48661
Join co-hosts Ogemaw District Library and West Branch District Library on May 15 at 7 p.m., at the China Inn Restaurant for a free event featuring a conversation with Curtis Chin, author of the current Great Michigan Read, Everything I Learned, I Learned in a Chinese Restaurant. Following a conversation with Curtis, books will be available for sale and signing. Registration is required. Please register here.
This event is part of Michigan Humanities’ By the People program series called Let’s Dish: Sharing Culture, Stories & Connection. By the People: Conversations Beyond 250 is a series of community-driven programs created by humanities councils in collaboration with local partners. The initiative was developed by the Federation of State Humanities Councils and the Smithsonian Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage.
The 2025–26 Great Michigan Read is presented by Michigan Humanities. Additional support is provided by national, statewide, and local partners, including the Library of Michigan and MSU Federal Credit Union.

Historical Perspectives on Queer Detroit: Narratives of the Motor City
2026-06-05 13:30 - 14:30 | Ann Arbor District Library: Downtown Branch, 343 S 5th Ave, Ann Arbor, MI, 48104
Join the LGBTQ+ History Association for a Pride Month event featuring three writers whose work explores Detroit’s queer histories. Curtis Chin will read from his memoir, Everything I Learned, I Learned in a Chinese Restaurant. Mix Mann will present their research on the life of the Detroit-based Black lesbian activist Ruth Ellis, and Tim Retzloff will read from Come Out! In Detroit, a non-fiction comic book he co-created to tell the story of Michigan’s first pride celebration held in 1972.
This event includes a signing with books for sale.
This partner event is made possible in part by a Great Michigan Read Action Grant.

Detroit Chinatown Block Party ft. Curtis Chin
2026-07-25 12:00 - 20:00 | Corner of Cass Ave & Peterboro St, 3143 Cass Ave, Detroit, MI, 48201
Join Great Michigan Read partners Detroit Chinatown Vision Committee on Saturday, July 25, for their second annual Detroit Chinatown Block Party. This free and family-friendly event will feature a dynamic lineup of DJs, cultural performances, and interactive activities designed to educate and engage attendees about the legacy and future of Detroit’s Chinatown. Haven’t had a chance to see Curtis Chin yet? Come to the Block Party for his book talk (2 p.m.) and film screening (4 p.m.), and to learn more about Detroit Chinatown history.

RSVP for the film screening here.
RSVP for the Block Party here (encouraged but not required).

For more information, please visit the Detroit Chinatown Vision Committee’s website.

Curtis Chin’s conversation at this event is made possible in part by a Great Michigan Read Action Grant.

Let’s Dish: Great Michigan Read author Curtis Chin at Mon Jin Lau
2026-07-27 18:30 - 20:30 | Mon Jin Lau, 1515 E. Maple Rd., Troy, MI, 48083, United States
Great Michigan Read author Curtis Chin will visit Mon Jin Lau in Troy from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Monday, July 27 for a conversation and book signing. This free event includes a meal from Mon Jin Lau and a copy of “Everything I Learned, I Learned in a Chinese Restaurant.”
Space is limited and we have reached capacity. Registration is now closed; please contact Katie Wittenauer (kwittenauer@mihumanities.org) if you would like to be added to the waitlist.
This event is part of Michigan Humanities’ By the People program series called Let’s Dish: Sharing Culture, Stories & Connection. By the People: Conversations Beyond 250 is a series of community-driven programs created by humanities councils in collaboration with local partners. The initiative was developed by the Federation of State Humanities Councils and the Smithsonian Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage.
The 2025–26 Great Michigan Read is presented by Michigan Humanities. Additional support is provided by national, statewide, and local partners, including the Library of Michigan and MSU Federal Credit Union.

Great Michigan Read Partner Event: Dearborn Heights
2026-07-28 19:00 - 20:30 | Caroline Kennedy Library of Dearborn Heights, 24590 George St, Dearborn Heights, MI, 48127
Join Great Michigan Read author, Curtis Chin, on July 28 at 7 p.m. for a conversation and book signing at the Caroline Kennedy Library in Dearborn Heights.
Additional details are available on Dearborn Heights’ website and Facebook page.
This partner event is made possible in part by a Great Michigan Read Action Grant.

Great Michigan Read Partner Event: Southfield
2026-07-29 18:00 - 20:00 | Southfield Public Library, 26300 Evergreen Rd, Southfield, 48076, United States
Join Great Michigan Read author, Curtis Chin, on July 29 at 6 p.m. for a conversation and book signing at the Southfield Public Library.
Additional details are available on Southfield Public Library’s website and Facebook event.
This partner event is made possible in part by a Great Michigan Read Action Grant.

Great Michigan Read Partner Event: Mount Clemens
2026-08-08 12:00 - 13:30 | Downtown Mount Clemens, Main Street, Mount Clemens, MI, United States
Join Great Michigan Read author, Curtis Chin, on August 8 for remarks, a conversation, audience Q&A, and book signing at Macomb County Pride in collaboration with Mount Clemens Public Library.
Curtis will share brief remarks at the Macomb County Pride main stage in downtown Mount Clemens at 12:10 p.m.
At 12:15 p.m. at the Courthouse Plaza, Curtis will be part of a conversation about his book, Everything I Learned, I Learned in a Chinese Restaurant, Q&A, and book signing.
This partner event is made possible in part by a Great Michigan Read Action Grant.

In Pursuit Lecture Series—James Madison and the Constitution: Ideas That Built a Republic
2026-09-15 20:00 - 21:00 | MI
In this virtual event, Pulitzer Prize–winning historian Jack Rakove examines the intellectual world of James Madison and the forces that shaped the U.S. Constitution. Through clear, accessible storytelling, Rakove reveals how Madison’s ideas on representation, factions, and federalism continue to guide (and challenge) American civic life today. A foundational exploration perfect for audiences seeking deeper constitutional understanding.
This virtual event is free and open to the public. Register to attend here.

In Pursuit Lecture Series—William Henry Harrison and the Power of Presidential Storytelling
2026-09-22 20:00 - 21:00 | MI
In this virtual event, beloved civic educator Sharon McMahon examines the short but symbolically powerful presidency of William Henry Harrison. Through engaging stories and myth-busting insights, she explores how Harrison’s campaign transformed political messaging and how presidential narratives—true or not—shape public memory. An ideal program for audiences who enjoy accessible, energetic history.
This virtual event is free and open to the public. Please register to attend here.

Great Michigan Gathering Kickoff Event Featuring Priya Parker
2026-10-08 19:00 - 20:30 | Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation, 20900 Oakwood Blvd, Dearborn, MI, 48124
​Join Michigan Humanities as we kick off the Great Michigan Gathering with an event featuring Priya Parker, author of The Art of Gathering: How We Meet and Why It Matters.
​Through a conversation between Parker and Michigan Humanities’ President and CEO, Jennifer Rupp, you’ll be inspired to gather in community with your peers, learn why gathering is essential to the humanities, and be introduced to Michigan Humanities’ new statewide initiative that helps bring intentional gatherings to communities near you.
This event is free and open to the public, but registration is required. Please register to attend here.

In Pursuit Lecture Series—John F. Kennedy: Rethinking the Camelot Myth
2026-10-13 20:00 - 21:00 | MI
In this virtual event, historian Alexis Coe offers a fresh, lively, and deeply researched look at John F. Kennedy. Moving beyond the familiar “Camelot” narrative, she explores how JFK constructed his public identity, how his presidency reshaped American culture, and why his story continues to captivate generations. A smart, engaging program for anyone interested in leadership and public memory.
This virtual event is free and open to the public. Please register to attend here.

In Pursuit Lecture Series—John Quincy Adams & Louisa Adams: A Partnership That Shaped a Nation
2026-10-27 20:00 - 21:00 | MI
In this virtual event, historian Lindsay Chervinsky and author Louisa Thomas explore the extraordinary political and personal partnership of John Quincy Adams and Louisa Catherine Adams. This program highlights their role in shaping early American diplomacy, political identity, and the evolving expectations of public service. Together, the speakers illuminate a marriage that was both deeply human and historically significant.
This virtual event is free and open to the public. Please register to attend here.

Great Michigan Read Partner Event: Allendale
2026-10-28 13:30 - 14:45 | GVSU—Allendale Campus, 10670 S Campus Dr, Allendale, MI, 49401
As part of the Grand Valley Writers Series, award-winning author Curtis Chin will read from, discuss, and answer questions about his acclaimed memoir, Everything I Learned, I Learned in a Chinese Restaurant, which was selected as the 2025-26 Great Michigan Read. The memoir follows Chin from childhood through college graduation, sharing life lessons he learned while working in his family’s Chinese restaurant, which operated for decades on Cass Ave in Detroit’s historic Chinatown. Both deeply personal and socially relevant, the book explores identity, family, self-discovery, and the power of storytelling. This event is made possible in part by a grant from Michigan Humanities, an affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities. Additional support is provided by national, statewide, and local partners, including the Library of Michigan and MSU Federal Credit Union.
This partner event is made possible in part by a Great Michigan Read Action Grant.

In Pursuit Lecture Series—Sarah & James K. Polk: Power, Partnership, and Politics in the 1840s
2026-11-10 20:00 - 21:00 | MI
In this virtual event, two leading scholars bring to life the dynamic partnership of President James K. Polk and First Lady Sarah Polk—one of the most influential political couples of the 19th century. Amy Greenberg and Matt Costello explore territorial expansion, wartime leadership, and the often overlooked political power wielded by Sarah Polk. A lively and insightful look at a transformative decade.
This virtual event is free and open to the public. Please register to attend here.
