News & Events

Upcoming Appearances

Past Appearances

Saturday, October 5, 2024 | 11:15 a.m.

Decatur Book Festival

City of Decatur Stage 2, Swanton Amphitheatre, Marriott Courtyard Hotel

More Info


Wednesday, September 18, 2024 | 2:00 p.m.

Washington Memorial Library Book Talk and Signing

Macon, GA

More Info



Wednesday, September 18, 2024 | 10 a.m. Signing | 11 a.m. TALK

Middle Georgia State University (MGA) Center for Middle Georgia Studies and Middle Georgia Regional Library

First Floor, Macon Campus Library, Macon, GA

More Info

Book Talk with Michael Thurmond, Sep. 18, 2024, Middle Georgia State University, Macon Campus Library

Friday, August 2, 2024 | 12:00 p.m.

2024 Black Writers Weekend

Riverside EpiCenter, Austell, GA

More Info



Saturday, June 29, 2024 | 5:00–8:00 p.m.

Connect Savannah Reception, Presentation, and Book Signing

Hyatt Regency Savannah, River Lounge

More Info


Thursday, June 20, 2024

Book Talk and Signing

Peachtree City Library, Floy Farr Room

More Info


Saturday, June 15, 2024

Keynote Speaker

Dalton Whitfield NAACP Juneteenth Gala

More Info


Tuesday, April 23, 2024

Book Talk

Georgia College and State University, COAS Auditorium

More Info


Wednesday, April 3, 2024

Presentation and Book Signing

The Learning Center Savannah

More Info


Tuesday, March 19, 2024 | 6:30 p.m.

Virtual Presentation

Beloved Naturalist Class


Tuesday, March 5, 2024 | 10:00 a.m.

Reading and Book Signing, Arabia Alliance

Lithonia Woman’s Club

More Info


Wednesday, February 28, 2024 | 7:00 p.m.

Presentation and Book Signing

Atlanta History Center, McElreath Hall

More Info


Tuesday, February 27, 2024 | 6:30 p.m.

Presentation and Book Signing

University of Georgia, Griffin Campus

Stuckey Conference Center

More Info

Monday, February 26, 2024 | 6:30 p.m.

Presentation and Book Signing

Dekalb Library Foundation and DeKalb His­to­ry Cen­ter Present “Hops at the History Center”

More Info

Sunday, February 25, 2024 | 6:00 p.m.

Presentation and Book Signing, Athens Historical Society

Athens-Clarke County Library

More Info

Thursday, February 22, 2024 | 6:00 p.m.

Presentation and Book Signing

Georgia Legislative Black Caucus

More Info


Sunday, February 18, 2024 | 10:00 a.m.

Black History Month Celebration

First African Baptist Church Savannah

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Saturday, February 17, 2024 | 10:20 a.m.

Savannah Book Festival

Trinity United Methodist Church, Historic Downtown Savannah

More Info


Wednesday, February 14, 2024 | 1:00 p.m.

Keynote Speaker, Oglethorpe Day

Oglethorpe University

More Info


Friday, February 9, 2024 | 12:00 p.m.

Lunch and Learn Speaker

Georgia Archives

More Info


Sunday, February 4, 2024 | 2:00 p.m.

Keynote Speaker, Youth and Young Adult Week

Holsey Temple CME Church

More Info


Friday, January 26, 2024 | 12:00 p.m.

Georgia Trend’s 100 Most Influential Georgians Luncheon

Georgia Aquarium

More Info


Monday, January 15, 2024 | 10:00 a.m.

Grand Marshal, DeKalb NAACP Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Parade

Chapel Hill Middle School

More Info

News

The Guardian | October 6, 2024

“The Road to a Slave-Free Georgia: The Little-Known History of State Founder James Oglethorpe”



Photo of Keith Pepper, owner and publisher of Rough Draft Atlanta, moderating a discussion between authors Michael L. Thurmond and Paul M. Pressly at the Decatur Book Festival on October 5, 2024. Photo of Keith Pepper, owner and publisher of Rough Draft Atlanta, moderating a discussion between authors Michael L. Thurmond and Paul M. Pressly at the Decatur Book Festival on October 5, 2024. Photo courtesy of Decatur Book Festival

Rough Draft Atlanta | October 5, 2024

“Georgia History with Michael L. Thurmond & Paul M. Pressly”



2 Complicated 4 History Podcast | August 20, 2024

“James Oglethorpe and Antislavery in Georgia – Michael L. Thurmond”


Connect Savannah | July 3, 2024

“Michael Thurmond Holds Book Signing for James Oglethorpe, Father of Georgia”


Hispanatlanta | June 26, 2024

“Libro James Oglethorpe, Padre de Georgia”


The Atlanta Journal-Constitution | June 18, 2024

“DeKalb CEO Explores Oglethorpe’s Anti-Slavery Stance in New Biography”


The Citizen | June 16, 2024

“A Fresh Look at the Father of Georgia, from Slave Trader to Abolitionist “


Dalton Daily Citizen | June 14, 2024

“Juneteenth Celebration Starts Friday “


The Chattanoogan | June 12, 2024

“Michael Thurmond Speaks at Juneteenth Gala Saturday”


Georgia Historical Society’s Off the Deaton Path Podcast | May 2, 2024

“Michael Thurmond on James Oglethorpe”


WABE 90.1 All Things Considered | March 27, 2024

“Historical Work by DeKalb CEO Highlights James Oglethorpe’s Journey to Racial Tolerance”


C-SPAN BookTV | March 24, 2024

“James Oglethorpe, Father of Georgia at the Savannah Book Festival”


DeKalb County, Georgia | March 14, 2024

“CEO Michael Thurmond Recognized as Georgia Public Library Champion of the Year”


Georgia Public Broadcasting’s NARRATIVE EDGE | February 27, 2024

“Michael Thurmond’s James Oglethorpe, Father of Georgia: A Founder’s Journey from Slave Trader to Abolitionist”


Political Breakfast from WABE | February 29, 2024

“How Did Georgia Founder James Oglethorpe Go from Slave Trader to Abolitionist? DeKalb CEO Michael Thurmond’s New Book Uncovers Gaps in our State History”


The Atlanta Journal-Constitution | February 25, 2024

“Michael Thurmond Re-Evaluates the Legacy of Georgia Founder James Oglethorpe”


The Red & Black | February 27, 2024

“ACC Library Hosts Michael Thurmond at Book Signing Event”


Scott Slade’s Georgia on 95.5 WSB | February 22, 2024

“The Surprising Twist in the Story of Georgia’s Founding Father James Oglethorpe”


Hoodline | February 20, 2024

“New Book Reassesses Georgia Founder Oglethorpe’s Stance on Slavery”


WSB-TV Channel 2 Action News Atlanta | February 29, 2024

“DeKalb County CEO Publishes New Book About Georgia’s Founding Father”


Associated Press | February 17, 2024

“Could Georgia’s White Founder Have Been an Ally to Enslaved People? A New Book Dissects His History”


Athens Banner-Herald | February 14, 2024

“Athens Native Michael Thurmond Writes Book on Georgia’s Founder and His Opposition to Slavery”


Connect Savannah | February 11, 2024

“Michael Thurmond Writes Book on James Oglethorpe, a Man ‘Centuries Ahead of His Time'”


Atlanta Journal-Constitution | February 8, 2024

“Georgia’s Founding Father Was a Pioneering Abolitionist”


Georgia Trend | January 29, 2024

“Unlearning Some American History”


Georgia Public Library Service | January 24, 2024

“2023 Georgia Public Library Awards Honor Public Library Leaders, Staff, and Champions. DeKalb County CEO Michael Thurmond Is Library Champion of the Year”


The Source | January 19, 2024

“Oglethorpe Day 2024 to Feature Petrels of Fire Race, DeKalb County CEO and Author Michael Thurmond”


The Savannah Tribune | January 10, 2024

“Thurmond to Present The Life and Legacy of ‘James Oglethorpe, Father of Georgia'”


JAMES MAGAZINE | November–December 2023

“James Oglethorpe: The Father of Georgia”

Downloadable PDF Copy


The Martha Zoller Show | WDUN | July 25, 2023

“LISTEN: DeKalb CEO Michael Thurmond Talks about His New Book, ‘James Oglethorpe, Father of Georgia'”


The Saporta Report | July 17, 2023

“Michael Thurmond: Georgia Founder James Oglethorpe Should Be Our ‘North Star’”