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Verso University Presents: Preserving Family Stories: A Two-Part Workshop with Tangular A. Irby
Course Details
If you’ve ever wished you could preserve the rich stories of your family in a way that your loved ones or readers will enjoy, this two-part storytelling workshop is for you.
Join author and educator Tangular A. Irby for a hands-on journey into legacy-building through story. Whether you’re just starting to explore your family roots or already gathering details, this course will help you shape those memories into a working manuscript.
Over two sessions, you’ll learn how to:
- Collect and organize family history with intention
- Transform facts into a compelling story
- Brainstorm creative ideas that reflect your family’s voice
- Take home a draft you can further develop into a book or keep as a personal family treasure
No writing or publishing experience required — just bring your curiosity, a notebook or a laptop, and your desire to preserve the past for the next generation!
About the Instructor
Tangular A. Irby is a lifelong educator and proud descendant of the Gee's Bend quilters. She’s the owner of Learning Advantage Network Diversified (Learning AND), based in Shelton, CT. She is also the author of Pearl and her Gee's Bend Quilt and Preserving the Legacy: A Black Woman's Journal to Faithfully Guide the Next Generation. Her work celebrates heritage, family, and legacy through book publishing, public speaking, and educational consulting.
Irby played a significant role in The Westport Library's 2025-26 winter art exhibits, a multi-gallery quilt show entitled Building Bridges Through Storytelling. On Saturday, January 31, Irby will be part of an artist talk at the reception for one of the exhibits, A Traveling Legacy: From Gee's Bend to the Nutmeg State.
Important Information About Verso University Classes
- Classes are usually structured as a consecutive series.
- Class size is often limited.
- Each series has a one-time fee registration fee covering all classes in the series.
- Registration is mandatory.
- The Westport Library wants to ensure that all interested students are able to participate in Verso University courses. If the registration fee is a barrier to entry for you, please contact [email protected].
Verso University is the Library’s lifelong learning and education initiative, serving up year-round offerings of classes, workshops, and lectures designed to further education and learning. Offerings run the gamut of educational opportunities, ranging from one-time lectures to ongoing courses to classes that meet weekly or perhaps monthly.
Verso University programs are made possible by the generous support of the Nancy J. Beard Lifelong Learning and Education Fund.
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The Westport Library is committed to intellectual freedom, inclusivity, and lifelong learning. Our mission is to provide welcoming spaces for the free exchange of ideas. The Library does not endorse or condemn points of view, including any program content or the views expressed by presenters or participants.
