Schedule

Tuesday, August 6, 2024
6 p.m. Reception
7 p.m. Discussion
8 p.m. Book Sales and Signing 

Born in Kenya and raised in Canada, Ali Velshi is an award-winning journalist, author, news anchor, and correspondent. He currently serves as the host of Velshi on MSNBC, and is the network's Chief Correspondent. He is also an economics contributor to NPR’s Here And Now.

In his new book Small Acts of Courage: A Legacy of Endurance and the Fight for Democracy, Velshi documents his family's incredible century-long journey from India to South Africa, Kenya, Canada, and the United States. Through intimate stories and anecdotes about his family adjusting to new countries and cultures, Velshi traces their intersections with historical events such as the apartheid system in South Africa, encounters with historical figures such as Mahatma Gandhi, and how they persevered despite facing tremendous obstacles and setbacks.

Join Asia Society Texas for an evening with Ali Velshi as he shares his new book Small Acts of Courage. After the program, books will be available for purchase and a book-signing will follow the program. 

“Small Acts of Courage is that rare paradox: a concise epic. Spanning continents, generations and cultures, this beautiful book is not simply a chronicle of Ali Velshi's Americanness, but of the long, winding path that led him to it. In a moment defined by polarities and recrimination, the story he tells here of heritage and community could not be more important.” — Jelani Cobb, Dean of Columbia Journalism School

About the Speaker

Ali Velshi is an award-winning journalist, host of Velshi, Chief Correspondent for MSNBC, and a weekly economics contributor to NPR’s Here And Now. He has covered multiple U.S. midterm and presidential elections and significant news stories around the globe, including extensive reporting from Ukraine and across Central and Eastern Europe during the Russian invasion, the Syrian refugee crisis from Turkey and Jordan, the Iran Nuclear Deal in Tehran, the Greek debt crisis in Athens, and the funeral of Nelson Mandela in South Africa.

He hosts the “Velshi Banned Book Club” on MSNBC, and the Velshi Banned Book Club podcast. Velshi is known for his immersive on-the-ground reporting and his interactive discussions with small groups, which form part of his ongoing series, Velshi Across America. He previously worked as an anchor and correspondent for Al Jazeera America and CNN. Born in Nairobi and raised in Toronto, Velshi holds a degree in Religion and an honorary Doctorate of Laws from Canada’s Queen’s University. He serves on the boards of the National Constitution Center, the Chicago History Museum, the X-Prize Foundation, and the Philadelphia Citizen. Velshi is the author of Gimme My Money Back and The Trump Indictments, co-author of How to Speak Money and the upcoming Open Space (2025). Velshi has been nominated for multiple Emmy Awards and is the recipient of two National Headliner Awards and a Society of Professional Journalists Sigma Delta Chi Award.

About the Moderator

Martyn E. Goossen is Vice Chairman of the J.P. Morgan Private Bank. Marty has over 50 years of experience in financial services, nearly all of which has been in the wealth management field. The majority of his career was spent working in Asia. Marty and his wife, Kathy, moved to Hong Kong with Citibank in 1978.  Marty joined JPMorgan Chase in Tokyo in 1988. He remained in Asia until 2006, serving in leadership positions with JPMorgan in Tokyo, Hong Kong and Singapore.  Marty and Kathy moved to Houston in 2006 to take the position as Market Manager for JPMorgan’s Houston Private Bank and President of the Houston Region. In 2017, Marty was promoted to Vice Chairman of the JPMorgan Private Bank focusing on the South region of the United States. Since arriving in Houston, Marty has undertaken a variety of civic responsibilities and was recently appointed Chairman of the Asia Society Texas Board of Directors.  He also serves on the boards of the Museum of Fine Arts-Houston, the United Way of Greater Houston, Central Houston Inc., and the Singapore American School foundation.

Marty received his M.B.A. from Harvard Business School in 1977 and a B.S. in Economics from Union College in Schenectady, New York.

Asia Society hosts today's leading voices, providing commentary on events in news, society, and culture. Opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect Asia Society views.

About the Muslim Series

Through a multidisciplinary approach that utilizes Asia Society’s breadth of programming opportunities, this series explores the artistic talents and stories of American Muslims to inspire our community to better understand one another.For information about sponsoring the Muslim Series and other programs like this one, please contact Saleena Jafry, Vice President, Development, at [email protected] or 713.496.9939.

Series Sponsors

The Bahalim Family
Shahzad Bashir Family
Shazma and Arshad Matin
Selma and Mustafa Tameez

Asia Society Texas Business & Policy Programs are endowed by the Huffington Foundation.

Business and Policy programs at Asia Society Texas are presented by Bank of America, Muffet Blake, and ExxonMobil. Major support comes from Nancy C. Allen, Chinhui Juhn and Eddie Allen, The Brown Foundation, Inc., and Houston Endowment Inc. Generous funding provided by bp America, Inc, Anne and Albert Chao, ConocoPhillips, Mitsubishi Corporation (Americas), Regions Bank, and Stephanie and Frank Tsuru. Additional support is provided by the Friends of Asia Society, a dedicated group of individuals and organizations committed to bringing the best in public programming.

Business & Policy Presenting Sponsors

About Asia Society Texas

Asia Society Texas believes in the strength and beauty of diverse perspectives and people. As an educational institution, we advance cultural exchange by celebrating the vibrant diversity of Asia, inspiring empathy, and fostering a better understanding of our interconnected world. Spanning the fields of arts, business, culture, education, and policy, our programming is rooted in the educational and cultural development of our community — trusting in the power of art, dialogue, and ideas to combat bias and build a more inclusive society.

Asia in Your Inbox