Reviews and Press Releases
A Black Man's Existence as a White Jew
WATERFORD, MI, December 3, 2024 -- The award-winning author, Eric B. Willis, was at the Westland Public Library in Westland, Michigan for a book signing at its annual author fair. His latest book is a memoir titled A Black Man’s Existence as a White Jew.
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WATERFORD, MI, July 4, 2024 -- Eric B. Willis, an award-winning author, genealogist and historian, will be participating in the Harlem Book Fair 2024 on September 7th. As Willis expressed, "I am honored to be a part of this year's Harlem Book Fair and to be surrounded by an area that is known for it's rich and historic Black American and Jewish heritages, 19th century brownstones, jazz clubs, and restaurants. I also look forward to presenting my latest book "A Black Man's Existence as a White Jew" on the main stage and engaging with new readers and authors."
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WATERFORD, MI, January 22, 2024 -- Charles Boles, a major non-fictional character in A Black Man’s Existence as a White Jew, a memoir by the award-winning author Eric B. Willis, died on January 19, 2024, at age 91.
Boles, born on June 8, 1932, in Detroit, was a legendary jazz pianist and composer who broke multiple racial barriers. His magnificent musical career spanned over six decades, and he performed and toured with a plethora of high-profile musicians, including BB King, Marvin Gaye, Etta James, Mary Wells, Lou Rawls, Dinah Washington, Aretha Franklin, before she became famous and “The Queen of Soul.”
During his eight-year research for his book, Willis met and interviewed Boles on several occasions. As Willis recalled, “My initial meeting with Mr. Boles was at the Dirty Dog Jazz Café in Grosse Pointe, Michigan where he was performing. Afterward, our interviews took place in his beautiful penthouse suite on Jefferson Avenue on Detroit’s east side. I also had the pleasure of meeting his lovely wife who occasionally added to the discussion,” said Willis. “Mr. and Mrs. Boles were so gracious.”
Although Willis’ cousin is the central focus in A Black Man’s Existence as a White Jew, the memoir also delves deeply into the life of Mr. Boles—revealing intimate details regarding his family history, his successful musical career as a pianist and composer, his emotional experiences with racism and insights into bigotry and racial passing, and his relationship with Willis’ cousin.
According to Willis, “I was saddened to hear about Mr. Boles passing. I last visited him during the fall of 2022. He had relocated to live with his daughter and her family in their Detroit home because of his need for additional care due to the onset of health problems. He was thrilled to receive an advance reader copy of A Black Man’s Existence as a White Jew. Afterward, we engaged in a delightful conversation—once again reminiscing about our shared interest in his and my cousin’s long and magnificent musical careers.”
Willis expressed that he was honored to have had a momentary glimpse into the extraordinary life of a man who have had a significant impact upon the musical industry, his family, friends, and associates.
Boles, born on June 8, 1932, in Detroit, was a legendary jazz pianist and composer who broke multiple racial barriers. His magnificent musical career spanned over six decades, and he performed and toured with a plethora of high-profile musicians, including BB King, Marvin Gaye, Etta James, Mary Wells, Lou Rawls, Dinah Washington, Aretha Franklin, before she became famous and “The Queen of Soul.”
During his eight-year research for his book, Willis met and interviewed Boles on several occasions. As Willis recalled, “My initial meeting with Mr. Boles was at the Dirty Dog Jazz Café in Grosse Pointe, Michigan where he was performing. Afterward, our interviews took place in his beautiful penthouse suite on Jefferson Avenue on Detroit’s east side. I also had the pleasure of meeting his lovely wife who occasionally added to the discussion,” said Willis. “Mr. and Mrs. Boles were so gracious.”
Although Willis’ cousin is the central focus in A Black Man’s Existence as a White Jew, the memoir also delves deeply into the life of Mr. Boles—revealing intimate details regarding his family history, his successful musical career as a pianist and composer, his emotional experiences with racism and insights into bigotry and racial passing, and his relationship with Willis’ cousin.
According to Willis, “I was saddened to hear about Mr. Boles passing. I last visited him during the fall of 2022. He had relocated to live with his daughter and her family in their Detroit home because of his need for additional care due to the onset of health problems. He was thrilled to receive an advance reader copy of A Black Man’s Existence as a White Jew. Afterward, we engaged in a delightful conversation—once again reminiscing about our shared interest in his and my cousin’s long and magnificent musical careers.”
Willis expressed that he was honored to have had a momentary glimpse into the extraordinary life of a man who have had a significant impact upon the musical industry, his family, friends, and associates.
WATERFORD, MI, December 29, 2023 — The award-winning author, genealogist and historian Eric B. Willis and his new book A Black Man's Existence as a White Jew was recently featured in article titled Jazz Pianist's Surprising Conversion to Judaism Revealed by the 81-year old and historic Detroit Jewish News newspaper.
WATERFORD, MI, November 10, 2023 — The next stop on Eric B. Willis' author book tour will be at the Small Business Saturday Book Sale in Milford, Michigan. The event, consisting of 39 other local authors, will take place at the Kensington Mill Falls event venue in Milford, Michigan, Saturday, November 25, 2023, and between 11:00 am and 5:00 pm. The award-winning author, genealogist, and historian is looking forward to greeting and signing his new book A Black Man's Existence as a White Jew for his readers. Also, the town will usher in the holidays with their nearby annual Milford Christmas Parade beginning at 10:00 am.
WATERFORD, MI, October 25, 2023 — Eric B. Willis expressed that "a magnificent time was had" during his recent stop up in the "North Star State" of Minnesota. The award-winning author, genealogist, and historian is touring the United States to promote his new book A Black Man's Existence as a White Jew." Regarding his participation at the 2023 Twin Cities Book Festival in St. Paul, Willis expressed, "I really enjoyed engaging with new readers and other authors at the event. The all-around support was wonderful. The weather was pleasant, and not the frozen tundra that will engulf the state in several months."
Willis' next book event on the tour will be located in his home state of Michigan. Additional information about the event will be forthcoming.
Willis' next book event on the tour will be located in his home state of Michigan. Additional information about the event will be forthcoming.
WATERFORD, MI, October 7, 2023 — The award-winning author, genealogist, and historian Eric B. Willis will be continuing on with his author tour to showcase his new book A Black Man's Existence as a White Jew at the 2023 Twin Cities Book Festival in St, Paul, Minnesota. This 23rd annual book festival, sponsored by Rain Taxi, will take place on Saturday, October 14th from 10:00am to 5:00pm.
For more information about the 2023 Twin Cities Book Festival, visit: https://twincitiesbookfestival.com.
The author says, "I will be pleased to see your smiling faces and your pearly whites."
For more information about the 2023 Twin Cities Book Festival, visit: https://twincitiesbookfestival.com.
The author says, "I will be pleased to see your smiling faces and your pearly whites."
WATERFORD, MI, August 19, 2023 — The award-winning author, genealogist, and historian Eric B. Willis recently participated in the 2023 Sterling Heights Public Library Local Author Book Sale, which was also a part of the annual Sterlingfest Art & Music Fair in Sterling Heights, Michigan. According to Willis, " I had a wonderful time sharing my new book A Black Man's Existence as a White Jew with new readers, family, friends, and other authors. I also enjoyed fellowshipping my Motown Writers Network author team Sylvia Hubbard-Hutula (MWN founder), Sandra L. Cobb, and Vanessa McCoy."
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
A New and Magnificent Memoir Reveals an Author’s Unexpected Journey Through Related Histories of Racism, Racial Passing, Jazz Musicians, Judaism, Politics, and Detroit Mobsters
Eric B. Willis, author, genealogist, historian, and publisher, announces the release of his book
WATERFORD, MI, May 16, 2023 — Today, Panoply House of Publishing LCC announced the release of an explosive memoir A Black Man’s Existence as a White Jew by the award-winning author, genealogist, and historian Eric B. Willis. The author uncovered a mysterious part of his family’s history relating to the ongoing racial discriminatory practices against black Americans and the perceived advantages and challenges of racial passing. In 2003, Willis began a genealogical exploration which would forever impact the lives and lineages of two American families—his black family and his maternal cousin Carl Steger’s white family.
Are you or someone you know living what is called “the dark secret in white face?” Black American men and women throughout history have chosen to live as white citizens. Through one of the most unforgettable and unexpected genealogical research expeditions, Willis discovers that one noted pianist and branch of his family tree who disappeared over 60 years ago indeed lived that life. This revelation leads to an unforgettable meeting with his cousin’s white family members as they confront the truth about their dad’s racial identity.
The author and other noted black historians further address useful and practical solutions for overcoming today’s historical and relational divisions between black and white Americans.
“If you do not expect the unexpected, you will not find it;
for it is hard to be sought out, and difficult.”
–Heraclitus, A Greek philosopher
About the Author:
Eric B. Willis, an award-winning author, genealogist, and historian, is the founder of Panoply House of Publishing LLC and a member of the International Society of Genetic Genealogy. A native of Detroit, Michigan, Willis lives in Waterford, Michigan with his family. For more information, visit Panoply House of Publishing.
Press Contact: Eric B. Willis Panoply House of Publishing, LLC
info@panoplyhouseofpublishing.com
A New and Magnificent Memoir Reveals an Author’s Unexpected Journey Through Related Histories of Racism, Racial Passing, Jazz Musicians, Judaism, Politics, and Detroit Mobsters
Eric B. Willis, author, genealogist, historian, and publisher, announces the release of his book
WATERFORD, MI, May 16, 2023 — Today, Panoply House of Publishing LCC announced the release of an explosive memoir A Black Man’s Existence as a White Jew by the award-winning author, genealogist, and historian Eric B. Willis. The author uncovered a mysterious part of his family’s history relating to the ongoing racial discriminatory practices against black Americans and the perceived advantages and challenges of racial passing. In 2003, Willis began a genealogical exploration which would forever impact the lives and lineages of two American families—his black family and his maternal cousin Carl Steger’s white family.
Are you or someone you know living what is called “the dark secret in white face?” Black American men and women throughout history have chosen to live as white citizens. Through one of the most unforgettable and unexpected genealogical research expeditions, Willis discovers that one noted pianist and branch of his family tree who disappeared over 60 years ago indeed lived that life. This revelation leads to an unforgettable meeting with his cousin’s white family members as they confront the truth about their dad’s racial identity.
The author and other noted black historians further address useful and practical solutions for overcoming today’s historical and relational divisions between black and white Americans.
“If you do not expect the unexpected, you will not find it;
for it is hard to be sought out, and difficult.”
–Heraclitus, A Greek philosopher
About the Author:
Eric B. Willis, an award-winning author, genealogist, and historian, is the founder of Panoply House of Publishing LLC and a member of the International Society of Genetic Genealogy. A native of Detroit, Michigan, Willis lives in Waterford, Michigan with his family. For more information, visit Panoply House of Publishing.
Press Contact: Eric B. Willis Panoply House of Publishing, LLC
info@panoplyhouseofpublishing.com
The Willis Handbook: An Intersection of Genealogy, Memoirs and History
of a Black American Family - 1835-2003
of a Black American Family - 1835-2003
September 3, 2015, Motown Writers Network - Michigan Literary Network
Panoply House of Publishing owner and author Eric B. Willis is the featured author in the Oakland Press newspaper, February 13, 2015.
February 4, 2015, EveryBlackEvent.com
February 4, 2015, BlackNews.com
December 22, 2014, BlackNews.com
February 4, 2015, BlackNews.com
December 22, 2014, BlackNews.com
