BIRMINGHAM, Ala. ( WIAT ) — A musician and writer who gained nationwide attention for the way he engaged with members of hate groups will be coming to Birmingham to speak about how people can better bridge the gap between one another.
Daryl Davis, author of “Klan-Destine Relationships: A Black Man’s Odyssey in the Ku Klux Klan,” will be the featured speaker of the annual “To Life” L’Chaim event, which will be held Sept. 10 at Samford University’s Wright Center. The event is hosted by the Alabama Holocaust Education Center.
“Through his inspiring experiences and music, Davis illustrates how empathy, dialogue, and bridge-building overcome division and foster understanding,” a statement from the organization read.
Davis first began his quest to understand hatred in the early 80s, when he met a member of the KKK after a gig. This led to him interacting with hundreds of members of hate groups, becoming friends with some and even encouraging others to leave those groups. He has given TED talks and been featured on “The Joe Rogan Experience” and other programs.