Starts:

Tuesday February 10, 2026

    6:00 PM

Ends:

    8:00 PM

Join us for an illuminating conversation with Rep. James E. Clyburn, one of the nation’s most respected and influential public servants, as he discusses “The First Eight: A Personal History of the Pioneering Black Congressmen Who Shaped a Nation.” In this powerful book, Clyburn reflects on the lives, leadership, and legacy of the first eight Black members of Congress from South Carolina and the enduring lessons their stories offer at a pivotal moment for American democracy.

Through the lens of Reconstruction and its aftermath, Clyburn will explore how these trailblazing leaders rose from enslavement and oppression to shape national policy, only to see their gains erased by Jim Crow. He weaves their history together with his own deeply personal journey as the ninth Black representative from South Carolina and examines the parallels between the challenges facing the nation during Reconstruction and those confronting our democracy today.

EVENT DETAILS:

• Remarks and Q&A, in-person and via Zoom.
• 6 p.m. complimentary hors d'oeuvres and cash bar; 6:30–7:30 p.m. program followed by book signing.
• Zoom only: $10. In-person: members: $35, non-members: $45 plus tax.

James E. Clyburn represents South Carolina’s 6th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives, where he previously served as Majority Whip. Over more than 30 years in Congress, he has been an influential and effective legislative leader and an unwavering voice for civil rights. Born in Sumter, SC, during the Jim Crow era, he has been awarded the NAACP’s Spingarn Medal, the Lyndon Baines Johnson Foundation’s Liberty and Justice for All Award, the Harry S. Truman Foundation’s Good Neighbor Award, and honorary degrees from 40 colleges and universities. In 2024, he was bestowed the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian honor.

For non-member event reservations: please email pfitzgerald@democraticwoman.org or telephone 202-232-7363 Ext. 402 (voicemails will also be accepted).

*Please note: Guests, with the exception of members’ spouses and domestic partners, may attend a maximum of three paid events from July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2026. After the third event, they must join the Club to continue attending events.* 

Please note: By attending a WNDC event, participants agree to being recorded and/or photographed, and the resulting assets may be used for promotional purposes. Should you wish not to be recorded or photographed, please notify a member of the WNDC staff on site.