Book Talk: Elected American

Book Talk & Post-Election Discussion with Lily Qi

Language: English

Join us at Unbound Books and Coffee for an inspiring evening with Maryland State Delegate Lily Qi as she discusses her memoir, Elected American: From Red China to Blue Maryland.

Thirty years after her solo journey to America, Chinese-born Lily Qi became a Maryland state delegate. It was a gratifying moment she did not take for granted. Qi had overcome a viral WeChat disinformation campaign from her Chinese community and was met with skepticism from the Democratic establishment before being elected.

Elected American tells the inspirational story of Qi’s dreams, setbacks, and achievements with candor and humility. Growing up in Mao’s Shanghai when “politics meant danger,” she never imagined running for public office. However, living in America, Qi came to see political participation as a missed opportunity for immigrants. As she campaigned to energize her cultural base, Qi realized she had to teach first-time voters how to make their votes count in a system not designed for them.

As the only U.S. state legislator to have lived through China’s Cultural Revolution, Qi brings a rare cross-system perspective to American politics and the modern-day Asian American identity. Elected American is a political memoir and an immigrant story that emphasizes that democracy doesn’t wait on the sidelines—it favors those who participate .

The discussion will be moderated by Buck Gee, an Asian American community leader and Board Member & NorCal Chair of the Committee of 100.

Books will be available for purchase and signing. Secure your copies here.