Bookmarks is thrilled to host Winston-Salem native Chris Paul in celebration of his memoir, Sixty-One: Life Lessons from Papa, On and Off the Court on Thursday, June 22, presented with support from Kilpatrick Townsend.

Chris Paul will be talking about his new memoir, Sixty-One: Life Lessons from Papa, On and Off the Court, with Talitha Vickers. Tickets include admission to the event and a copy of Sixty-One. Purchase your tickets today on Eventbrite.

Doors will open at 6:00pm, and seating will be on a first come, first served basis.

Please note there will NOT be a booksigning or opportunity to meet Chris Paul at this event.

Details

• When: Thursday, June 22nd at 7:00 pm 
• Where: Wait Chapel
• Cost: $32 (+ tax and fees); includes one general admission seat and a copy of Sixty-One: Life Lessons from Papa, On and Off the Court

To ask questions about accessibility or request accommodations, please contact Bookmarks at info@bookmarksnc.org or (336) 747-1471 x1001. At least two weeks' notice will allow us to provide the best experience possible for you and your guests.

If you are interested in sponsoring a high school athletic team, please contact info@bookmarksnc.org.

If you are a coach, parent, or community organizer looking to receive sponsored tickets for your students to attend this event, please fill out this form. 

About the Author

Chris Paul is a ten-time NBA All-Star and two-time Olympic Gold medalist. The Winston-Salem native currently plays with the Phoenix Suns and previously played with the Oklahoma City Thunder, Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Clippers, and New Orleans Hornets. Off the court, he’s a father, husband, entrepreneur, activist, and philanthropist. He has served as the President of the National Basketball Players Association since 2013. He is the founder of Ohh Dip!!! Productions, part owner of the Winston-Salem Dash, and co-founder of Go Hoop Day. His Chris Paul Family Foundation has given back to local communities since 2005.

About the Moderator

Talitha Vickers is the Marketing and Business Development Manager at international law firm Kilpatrick Townsend where she works closely to interface with clients and expand the footprint of the firm through social and community engagement. Community service and early childhood education are two of Vickers’ dominant passions. 2020 Talitha was recognized with the Outstanding Women Leaders Award presented by the late Winston Salem Mayor Pro-tem Vivian Burke and the city of Winston Salem. Vickers was also recognized with the 2019 Winston Under 40 Leadership Award, and The Rebecca Stafford Award for Excellence in Leadership from Monmouth University. Prior to accepting a position at one of Kilpatrick Townsend’s 21 offices in 2022, Vickers engaged with the community as a main anchor for NBC affiliate WXII 12 News. Her ability to resonate with people beyond the television screen and across diverse industries has allowed her to bridge gaps in the communities she serves while authoring new chapters in life to help college students thrive. As a former WSSU Adjunct Professor Vickers shared her 19 years of experience in front of the camera and behind the scenes to help students gain a better understating of the news industry. During the pandemic, Vickers published a children’s book that speaks to the heart of courage, inclusion, kindness and love inspired by military families entitled Why My Hero Had to Go. It was quickly picked up by Barnes and Noble, Bookmarks in Winston Salem and is currently at all nine libraries in Forsyth County. Vickers serves on the Board of Trustees for Arts Council of Winston Salem, she is a board member for Creative Corridors and Senior Services while continuing to mentor students in the Triad.

About the Book

The day after future NBA superstar Chris Paul signed his letter of intent to play college basketball for Wake Forest, he received a world-shattering phone call. His grandfather, Nathaniel "Papa" Jones, a pillar of the Winston-Salem community where he owned and operated the first Black-owned service station in North Carolina, was mugged and ultimately died from a heart attack resulting from the assault. His funeral filled the largest church in the county, which held over one thousand people. He was sixty-one years old.

The day after burying his grandfather, Chris was coping the best way he knew how: by playing basketball for his high school team. After pouring in shot after shot, his last attempt was an airball purposely flung out of bounds from the foul line before Chris exited the game. The next day, local news headlines declared that he fell six points shy of the statewide single game high school scoring record. But he accomplished exactly what he set out to do: scoring sixty-one points, one for each year of life lived by his grandfather.

In Sixty-One, Chris opens up about life beyond basketball and the role his grandfather played in molding him into the man and father he is today. He’ll speak about the foundation of faith and family he built his life upon, what it means to be a positive light within your community and beyond, and the importance of setting the proper example for future generations. Most importantly, Chris will talk about his home, Winston-Salem, and the close-knit family and village that raised him to become one of the most respected leaders in all of sports.