Acclaim, recognition for Prof. Elizabeth Todd-Breland’s co-authored memoir of labor leader Karen Lewis
I Didn't Come Here to Lie: My Life and Education traces the life and career of a labor powerhouse
Prof. Elizabeth Todd-Breland's "co-authored" book – I Didn't Come Here to Lie: My Life and Education – is now out officially from Haymarket Books! Although the book is positioned as a memoir of the late labor-leader Karen Lewis, Lewis sadly grew ill and passed away just as Prof. Todd-Breland began conducting interviews, leaving her to contextualize, compile, and write the entire manuscript from little more than numerous interviews and a pile of notes. Lewis rose to national prominence as president of the Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) during the 2012 strike against mass school closings across the city. I Didn't Come Here to Lie follows Lewis's "life full of exploration" from her upbringing on Chicago's South Side to organizing Black Power walkouts as a teenager, her education and time abroad, and her career in education and social justice organizing.
The book generated significant excitement even before it went to print. In January, Ms. Magazine named the work one of the "most anticipated feminist books of 2025." In March, Prof. Todd-Breland gave a great interview about the book, the process of writing it, and the legacy of Lewis and the movement she led on WTTW and another on WGN. The book launch was also covered by the Chicago Tribune. Prof. Todd-Breland also sat down for an excellent Q&A with UIC Today.
In addition, we were very happy to hear that the book has already won an award! The book won the 2025 inaugural Dr. Timuel D. Black, Jr. Award for Civic Engagement from Public Narrative, which will be officially announced at their 30th Annual Community Media Awards Ceremony in May.
Congratulations Prof. Todd-Breland! The work is exciting, and the recognition is well-deserved.