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Author of Major Taylor Bio to Speak at Worcester JCC in May

By Patrick Sargent | March 26, 2019
Last Updated: February 2, 2021

WORCESTER – Washington Post journalist Michael Kranish will be the featured speaker at the Worcester Jewish Community Center’s [JCC] Author Series this May.

March 26, 2019 Jewish Community Center
Michael Kranish/Twitter

Kranish will be at the JCC on Tuesday, May 7 — the same day his new book, The World’s Fastest Man: The Extraordinary Life of Cyclist Major Taylor, America’s First Black Sports Hero, will be released. 

From the book:  “In The World’s Fastest Man, years in the writing, investigative journalist Michael Kranish reveals new information about Major Taylor based on a rare interview with his daughter and other never-before-uncovered details from Taylor’s life. Kranish shows how Taylor indeed became a world champion, traveled the world, was the toast of Paris, and was one of the most chronicled black men of his day.”

Major Taylor Blvd runs through downtown Worcester between Foster and Highland streets, a downtown monument of Major Taylor stands outside the Worcester Public Library, and the Major Taylor Association of Worcester is dedicated to educating people about Major Taylor’s accomplishments and his life in Worcester.

Publisher’s Weekly described Kranish’s book as
“A sharp-eyed account of a nearly forgotten African-American sports legend.”

Jon Meacham, winner of the Pulitzer Prize and author of The Soul of America: The Battle for Our Better Angels, said, ““In this original, surprising, and important new book, Michael Kranish brings a man and an era back to vivid life. The story of Major Taylor—sportsman, bicyclist, pioneer—is in many ways the story of America. Through his speed and his grace, Taylor emerged as a critical figure that showed a world dominated by Jim Crow and abhorrent theories of innate racial disparities that the prevailing climate of opinion was as wrong as it could be.”

Kranish’s presentation is free and co-sponsored by the Worcester Black-Jewish Alliance and the Major Taylor Association.

The presentation will take place at 7 PM at the Worcester JCC and will be followed by a dessert reception and book-signing.

RSVP is appreciated to Nancy Greenberg, [email protected], 508-756-7109 ext. 232.

March 26, 2019 Jewish Community Center

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