March 26, 2002

Vernon Jordan, Jr., one of the major civil rights figures in American history and presidential advisor, will discuss his new book "Vernon Can Read! A Memoir" (Public Affairs, written with Annette Gordon-Reed) as guest of the Kentucky Author Forum on March 26, 2002 in Louisville.

The memoir covers the life story of a larger than life American leader, from his early days, through the civil rights revolution, and to the halls of power. Most recently labeled by the national media as "mister inside" and former President Clinton's "first friend," Vernon Jordan's life and career has followed a remarkable trajectory.

Growing up in the first federally funded housing project in the U.S., Jordan was exposed to Atlanta's elite while helping his mother in her catering business. As part of one summer Jordan drove a white banker around town. During the man's afternoon naps, Jordan passed the time reading books, a fact that astounded his boss. "Vernon can read!" the man exclaimed to his relatives.

Encouraged by his mother to educated in the North, Jordan worked his way through college at DePauw University in Indiana. Becoming a noted speaker, Jordan won a top state award and placed third nationally for a speech entitled "The Negro in America." After earning a J.D. from Howard University, Jordan became involved in the civil rights movement. Over the course of the 1960s, Jordan emerged as an important leader of the moderate wing of the movement, advocating progress through the system. He led the voter education project to register black voters in the South and escorted Charlayne Hunter, the first African-American student to enroll at the University of Georgia, through crowds of angry whites.

Jordan's instrumental role in integrating American businesses and providing economic and social support to the expanding black middle class reached an early pinnacle when he became president of the National Urban League in 1972. Jordan became a pillar of America's legal, corporate and political worlds, fostering ties with the civil rights movement. He also became the target of a white racist's assassination attempt in 1980, a crime still without a conviction.

After recovery, Jordan assumed a less public role in the practice of law but still an intimate advisor to civil rights groups and political leaders. His long relationship with Bill Clinton led to a key role in Clinton's campaign for the presidency, helping to select Al Gore as running mate, and chairing his transition team. Jordan turned down an appointment as attorney general but attempted to balance roles as an unofficial presidential advisor and Washington corporate lawyer, becoming a figure in the Lewinsky affair.

Jordan is now a senior managing director of the investment firm Lazard Freres & Co. Annette Gordon-Reed is a professor at New York Law School and author of "Thomas Jefferson and Sally Hemmings: An American Controversy."

Jordan's interviewer at the forum will be Ronald Brownstein, Senior Correspondent for the Los Angeles Times in Washington, D.C. Brownstein is also a political analyst for CNN, appearing weekly on the CNN program "Inside Politics." His articles appear frequently on the Courier Journal FORUM page. In 2001, Brownstein was named by Washingtonian Magazine as one of the best and most influential journalists in the nation's capital.

Tuesday, March 26, 2002

This edition of the Kentucky Author Forum is sponsored by the University
of Louisville and recorded by WFPL Radio and KET-TV.

Vernon Jordan will speak to U of L students and faculty at 11:00 a.m. in the Allen Court Room, Brandeis School of Law. James Blane Hudson, chair of Pan African Studies, will moderate.

Kentucky Center for the Arts
5 Riverfront Plaza, Downtown Louisville

The evening's activities are as follows:

5:00 p.m. Hawley-Cooke Booksellers book sale and wine and cheese reception
provided by Brown-Forman, Lobby
6:00 p.m. Interview in the Bomhard Theatre with Vernon Jordan and Ronald Brownstein
Master of Ceremonies is Forum Editor/Book Editor Keith Runyon of The Courier-Journal
7:00 p.m. Q & A followed by book signing on Bittners' stage set

A $16 ticket includes the above three events. A limited number of
discounted tickets of $5 each is available for U of L students, faculty and staff at the KCA box
office --U of L photo ID is required.

8:15 p.m. Dinner with the author, hosted by the University of Louisville

A $100 package ticket includes the above events plus dinner with Vernon Jordan. (Proceeds go to the nonprofit Kentucky Author Forum, $60 is tax-deductible.)

Tickets available at the Kentucky Center for the Arts, 502-584-7777 (1-800-775-7777). In addition calls may be placed through TicketMaster at 502-361-3100.

A taped version of the event will be made available at The Louisville Free Public Library, St. Matthews/Eline Branch, 3940 Grandview Avenue, on March 28 at 2:00 p.m. There is no fee involved, but those interested must sign up in advance due to limited seating. Call the library directly at 574-1771 for further information.

WFPL 89.3 FM and the Kentucky Education Network (KET) will record the event for future broadcast, which will be distributed nationally to PBS affiliates.

The Kentucky Author Forum series is produced by Mary Moss Greenebaum and sponsored by the University of Louisville in cooperation with Hawley-Cooke Booksellers; Brown-Forman Corp.; Bittners of Louisville; WFPL, Louisville's NPR Station for News; The Courier-Journal; KET, the Kentucky Network; and the Kentucky Center for the Arts.

624 West Main, Second Floor
Louisville, Kentucky 40202
Phone 502.589.2884
Fax 502.589.4334
email KYFORUM@aol.com