Author Event | Felicia B. George: When Detroit Played the Numbers: Gambling's History and Cultural Impact on the Motor City

When

Friday December 19, 2025: 6:00pm to 7:30pm  Add to Calendar /   Add to Google Calendar

Where

Downtown Library: Lower Level Program Room

Description

Join AADL and the author of When Detroit Played the Numbers, Felicia B. George, for an evening examining the history of Detroit and numbers gambling.

Once an illegal activity, numbers gambling became a vital community resource and symbol of solidarity in Detroit's Black neighborhoods during times of racial and economic struggle. The book explores the lives of Detroit's numbers operators who, despite facing poverty, racism, and exploitation, provided employment and financial support for their communities. Through vivid storytelling, George links this underground gambling scene to key moments in local history, shedding light on the complex relationship between race, politics, and community resilience in Detroit.

This event includes a signing with books for sale.