‘New York Times’ best-selling author Wes Moore at MSUM Oct. 8

Tuesday, Oct. 8 | 7 p.m. | Hansen Theatre

Our evening with Wes Moore on Oct. 8 is nearly sold out! If you were hoping to see him speak, get your tickets today.

As part of Minnesota State University Moorhead’s Common Read, the university invites the community to hear New York Times best-selling author Wes Moore share the story behind The Other Wes Moore: One Name, Two Fates on Tuesday, Oct. 8 at 7 p.m. in the Roland Dille Center for the Arts Hansen Theatre. A meet and greet and book signing will follow the keynote address.

Executive Producer Oprah Winfrey is turning his book into a much-anticipated major motion picture of the same name. It’s the true story of two boys named Wes Moore and their divergent journeys. They were born blocks apart from each other in Baltimore. They shared similar histories, circumstances and experiences. One grew up to be a Johns Hopkins University graduate, Rhodes Scholar, decorated Army veteran, White House Fellow, business leader, youth advocate, and social entrepreneur. The other is serving a life sentence in prison.

Wes Moore, the author, writes: “The chilling truth is that his story could have been mine. The tragedy is that my story could have been his.” 

In his book and his talk, Moore inspires readers to see solutions instead of problems, explore ways to overcome challenges, identify how to uplift others, and discover the power to achieve any goal.

MSUM’s Common Read is essentially a community-wide book club designed to encourage community engagement, create shared experiences, and foster meaningful dialogue.

“In today’s busy life it is difficult to meaningfully connect with others. Through our common read we are able to grow together through a shared understanding,” said Jered Pigeon, MSUM’s Campus Diversity Officer and director of Diversity & Inclusion. “One’s life may not be the same as either of the Wes Moore’s, but their story of becoming a product of the opportunities they had, or didn’t have, are relatable to everyone, especially college students as they pursue a life-changing endeavor called education. It’s easy to think that we are in control of our lives or choices we make, but after honestly reflecting it is more likely we are a product of the opportunities bestowed to us.”

MSUM is excited to help bring our community together to find common ground on issues that matter most to us.

Tickets are free, but reservations are requested at mnstate.edu/tickets. Learn more about the Common Read, Wes Moore, book discussions and resources at mnstate.edu/common-read.