Before the Middle Georgia Regional African American History Committee
Award-winning author Harold Michael Harvey will discuss his latest book, Fantasy Five: An Unimagable History, The Election of Macon’s First Black Councilmembers, on November 20, 2024, at the Washington Memorial Library in the Genealogical and Historical Room at 4:00 pm.
Cyn Harvey, a senior editor at Cascade Publishing House, the publisher of Harvey’s book, will lead the discussion. She will ask the author a series of questions before receiving questions from the audience.
Harvey graduated from Lanier Senior High School for Boys in 1969. He grew up in the Unionville section of Macon, Georgia. He later graduated from Tuskegee Institute in 1974 with a degree in Political Science, where he was a classmate of local politicians former Macon City Councilman Gerald Harvey and State Senator David Lucas. Additionally, Harvey earned a juris doctorate from Atlanta Law School in 1984.
In 1975, Harvey served as a pollster for Rev. Julius C. Hopes’ historic run for mayor of Macon. His polling data propelled Hope into a run-off in the Democratic Primary when local Black political kingpin William “Bill” Randall predicted Hope would only receive a “handful” of votes. As Harvey traveled through the city with Hope, he observed the nine Black candidates for the Macon City Council and witnessed that improbable history occurred when five of them won.
The following year, Harvey returned to his job as a reporter for The Macon Courier, where he covered city hall and the first five Black Councilmembers as they went about their historic duties. His work in 1975 and 1976 gives him a unique perspective on this landmark event and is the backbone of this 50-year tribute to the Macon Fantasy Five.
The public is invited, and those interested in purchasing a book before this event can do so by clicking the link below.
Fantasy Five | Cascade Publishing House
Harold Michael Harvey, JD, is the Living Now 2020 Bronze Medal winner for his memoir Freaknik Lawyer: A Memoir on the Craft of Resistance. He is the author of a book on Negro Leagues Baseball, The Duke of 18th & Vine: Bob Kendrick Pitches Negro Leagues Baseball. He writes feature stories for Black College Nines.com. Harvey is a member of the Collegiate Baseball Writers Association, HBCU and PRO Sports Media Association, and the Legends Committee for the National College Baseball Hall of Fame. Harvey is an engaging speaker. Contact Harvey at [email protected].