Alex Wagner
Journalist and Author. She is the co-host of The Circus on Showtime and the Author of FutureFace: A Family Mystery, an Epic Quest, and the Secret to Belonging
As a journalist, Alex Wagner has covered a wide range of issues that cut to the core of who we are as a nation, including immigration, race and political tribalism. In her memoir, Futureface, Wagner explores the American quest for identity—and desire for belonging—through the lens of her own family history. The only child of…
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As a journalist, Alex Wagner has covered a wide range of issues that cut to the core of who we are as a nation, including immigration, race and political tribalism. In her memoir, Futureface, Wagner explores the American quest for identity—and desire for belonging—through the lens of her own family history. The only child of a white American father and a Burmese immigrant mother, Wagner grew up untethered to any particular history, unsure of what culture to call her own. She was without, she writes, “a people.” Like many mixed-race Americans, Wagner did not know how to locate herself in the American story—or even, what that American story really was. Futureface chronicles her quest to find a place to belong, as Wagner unravels the complicated and twisting strands of her own bloodlines.
Wagner’s globe-circling research takes her from dusty archives in Rangoon, Burma to the wrong side of the tracks in Esch-Sur-Alzette, Luxembourg. She discovers who we say we are—and who we actually are—is often not the same thing, and she reveals important truths by way of high-tech genetic research and centuries-old records.
Wagner undertook her journey at a time of extraordinary national division, when tribalism and nativism have widened a chasm separating “us” from “them,” and when the very definition of “American” is up for debate. Against this background, Wagner begins to question not simply the specifics of her family story, but what is actually gained in the search for belonging—and whether our national obsession with identity is truly sustainable. In a country where religious, ethnic, and political divisions dominate the culture, Futureface presents a compelling new idea of what it means to belong. As a speaker, Wagner offers a unique reading of the American landscape, and the ways in which debates over race, immigration and politics have shaped our national identity.
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Ernie was perfect for our Elders Conference at Little River Casino Resort in Manistee, Michigan. We will definitely be using PDA again!
LITTLE RIVER BAND OF OTTAWA INDIANS
Our speaker was great and the crowd enjoyed her! She was very engaging. Thank you again PDA for the great list of suggestions!
MEDTRONIC
Everything went great! and our speaker was wonderful! Thank you so much for all your help PDA! Looking forward to the next one.
UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI – KANSAS CITY
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BAYLOR UNIVERSITY CAMPUS
We had a fantastic day with Inge! She was very engaging with all those that attended. Her personal stories about the holocaust were very special and we were moved that she was willing to share them with everyone. Thank you again, PDA for all your hard work and dedication to make this program such a success!
SALT LAKE COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Dear PDA Group, Thank you so much for your hard work in scheduling our speaker! From the moment we reached out to you the first time, you worked with us on all details and logistics and kept us up-to-date on the progress. Thank you for all your hard work on making our event such a success! We couldn't have done it without you and your team!
SAP COMPANY
Thank you again, Dr. Kimbrough, for a great presentation, our attendees are still talking about it!
CAMPUS LABS
Dr. Henry Lee's presentation was entertaining, insightful and wise. I, and everyone at Pfizer, especially appreciate the remarks you directed about following your passion and preparing yourself to excel. Thank you, everyone, at PDA for helping to make this happen!
PFIZER
The event was successful! I received many messages expressing how awesome, outstanding and inspiring Ms. Webb-Christburg's speech was."
DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. MEMORIAL BREAKFAST, BOSTON, MLK SPEAKER
Everything went well. Atsuko was very easy to work with and the students enjoyed her performance! Thank you again for your recommendation and I hope to work with you again in the future!
CENTRAL MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY
Dr. Novello left this morning after a very successful event on our campus! Thank you PDA Group for your help from the first phone to the last you were with us every step of the way.
GRAND VALLEY STATE UNIVERSITY
Jordan Carlos was very very entertaining! A majority of students who answered the event survey indicated they really enjoyed Jordan and definitely will bring him back!
WESTERN CAROLINA UNIVERSITY
On behalf of myself and my organization Entertainment Unlimited the Campus Programming Board of Ferris State University, we thank you PDA and Dan for a successful event!! Dan was magnificent! Students really enjoyed the presentation. I know I did. Can't wait to bring in more programs with PDA Group.
FERRIS STATE UNIVERSITY
It was a great pleasure to work with PDA Group! The communication was always prompt, friendly and helpful. We loved the speakers and events we booked through Mr. Peter Walker (PDA Group).
WESTERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY
Thank you, Peter, for all your help, you'll be happy to know that the event went incredibly well! Aneesa Ferreira was by far one of the best speakers we've ever had!
FURMAN UNIVERSITY
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A Conversation With Alex Wagner
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Career Advice From News Anchor Alex Wagner – Glamour's Step into My Office – Career Tips
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