House of Diggs: A Conversation on Power,
Race, and Redemption in Black Political Life
Join us for an engaging conversation between Dr. Marion Orr and Judge Edward Clifton as they discuss “House of Diggs,” Dr. Orr’s powerful new book.
Dr. Orr’s powerful new book examining the life and legacy of one America's most consequential members of Congress, Representative Charles C. Diggs, Jr. of Michigan. Diggs, who served from 1955-1980, was not just an influential congressman from Detroit, but also an influential Black American leader on the national and global stages. This compelling work explores the intersection of race, partisan politics, and personal redemption through the story of Diggs’ rise and fall. Dr. Orr and Judge Clifton will reflect on the broader implications of Diggs’ journey, share insights from behind the scenes, and invite the audience into a deeper dialogue about leadership, community, and second chances in American politics. Books will be available for purchase, and a signing will follow the discussion.
Marion Orr is a political scientist and the inaugural Frederick Lippitt Professor of Public Policy at Brown University. An award-winning author, his publications include Black Social Capital: The Politics of School Reform in Baltimore and The Color of School Reform: Race, Politics, and the Challenge of Urban Education. He was awarded the Biographers International Organization’s Francis “Frank” Rollin Fellowship for his work on Congressman Diggs.
The Honorable Edward C. Clifton is a retired Associate Justice of the Rhode Island Superior Court, where he served for over 20 years until 2015. A UCLA Law graduate and U.S. Army veteran, he began his legal career at Rhode Island Legal Services and went on to serve as Providence City Solicitor before joining the judiciary. Judge Clifton was the founding presiding judge of Rhode Island’s first adult drug court and held numerous leadership roles focused on equity and fairness in the justice system. He is also a past recipient of the Champions for Justice and Equal Justice Awards for his lifelong commitment to social justice.
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