Next week, my book From Presence to Power: How to Take On the Fights That Matter—and Win will be out in the world. My first book. I've said that sentence out loud a hundred times now and it still doesn't feel real. I'm thrilled. I'm nervous.
I must say, the book could not be more timely. The ideas in From Presence to Power are more relevant than ever. Presence can feel like winning… the cameras show up, when the statements get issued, when we own the trending topic for a quick moment. But visibility alone doesn’t change the rules, and the rules are where power lives.
From Presence to Power is about closing that gap. It's a practical guide to taking on the fights that matter, and winning them. It’s a playbook and a handbook. It is meant to actually be used, not only read. I walk through the strategies, the hard-won lessons, and yes, the losses that taught me how we actually build leverage inside systems designed to keep us from having any. I wrote it for organizers and everyday people alike: anyone who has ever asked, “I care, I showed up — so why isn’t anything changing?” The book is about what I've learned over over twenty years of my fights... my wins, my losses, my hardest lessons. In a moment when so much feels like it’s moving backwards, I wanted to put something in your hands that I hope sparks the opposite of despair.
I’m grateful for the early response from so many others whose own fights have shaped mine. And now I get to have this conversation face to face, in cities across the country, with people I deeply admire. I’d love to see you there.
TOUR DATES
JULY
July 27 — New York City, with Jane Fonda · IFC Center, 7:00 PM ·
Details
July 28 — Washington, DC, with Joy-Ann Reid · Politics & Prose, 7:00 PM ·
RSVP
July 29 — San Francisco, with Greg Dalton · The Commonwealth Club, 5:30 PM ·
Tickets
July 30 — Los Angeles, with Lena Waithe · Blackbird House · 6:00 PM ·
Details
AUGUST
August 5 — Seattle, with Angela Rye · Town Hall, 7:30 PM ·
Details
August 10 — Martha’s Vineyard, with dream hampton · 5:00–7:00 PM ·
RSVP
August 14 — Martha’s Vineyard, with Nadine Smith · 12:00–2:00 PM ·
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August 18 — Martha’s Vineyard, with Melissa Murray · 4:00–6:00 PM ·
RSVP
SEPTEMBER
September 10 — Austin, with Cristina Tzintzún Ramirez · LBJ School of Public Affairs ·
Details
September 11 — Houston, with Kendrick Sampson ·
Details
September 20 — Baltimore · Reginald F. Lewis Museum, 12:00 PM ·
Details
September 22 — New Orleans, with Charles Blow · Baldwin & Co, 6:00 PM ·
Tickets
September 24 — Atlanta · Auburn Avenue Research Library, 7:00 PM ·
Details
OCTOBER
October 7–8 — Buffalo · Banned Books Week ·
Details
More events are coming soon — keep an eye on frompresencetopower.com for updates, tickets, and details.
Order your copy today. First-week sales matter enormously — they decide bestseller lists and how many stores stock the book. Penguin Random House, Barnes & Noble, or your local independent bookstore.
Come to an event — and bring somebody. These conversations are better with you in the room.
Spread the word. Forward this email, post about the book, share the tour dates with your people.
Request it at your local library and bookstore.
Bring it to your book club, your team, your organization. This book was written to be put to work together.
I hope to see you on the road. Bring a friend. Bring your questions.
With gratitude,
Rashad
