Ali Velshi on Endurance Social Justice and Democracy
Join Michael for his conversation with MSNBC host and journalist Ali Velshi as they explore his latest book, Small Acts of Courage: A Legacy of Endurance and the Fight for Democracy. Velshi’s book offers a powerful look at his family’s 125-year history as champions of social justice, where courage is not just an ideology but a lived experience passed down through generations.
More than a century ago, Velshi’s great-grandfather decided to send his seven-year-old son to live at Tolstoy Farm, Gandhi’s ashram in South Africa. This act set the course for a family legacy rooted in public service, social justice, and a belief in absolute equality for all. As Velshi traces their journey—from resisting apartheid in South Africa to building new lives in Kenya, Canada, and the United States—he reveals the power of small, courageous actions to shape history.
In Small Acts of Courage, Velshi masterfully shares stories of ordinary people who, in the face of overwhelming odds, stood up for justice and democracy. From historical figures like Mahatma Gandhi, Nelson Mandela, and Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr., to everyday individuals fighting for change, these acts of bravery serve as a reminder that progress is possible when people commit to making a difference, no matter how daunting the challenges.
Through rich storytelling and vivid detail, Velshi offers a deeply personal reflection on how we can reinvigorate the principles of pluralistic democracy in our own time. His book serves as an urgent call to action, reminding us that it is through both the grand gestures and the small, quiet acts of courage that we can help build a more just and equitable world.
About Out Guest
Ali Velshi is an MSNBC Anchor and Business Correspondent for NBC News and MSNBC. Throughout his career, Velshi has reported on a wide range of major global events, including U.S. presidential elections, the ISIL and Syrian refugee crisis, the Iran nuclear deal from Tehran, tensions between Russia and NATO from Eastern Europe and the High Arctic, the Greek debt crisis, the funeral of Nelson Mandela, and the global financial crisis.
Before joining NBC News and MSNBC, Velshi hosted the primetime show Ali Velshi On Target on Al Jazeera America. Previously, he served as CNN’s Chief Business Correspondent, anchor of World Business Today on CNN International, and host of the network's weekly business show Your Money. He also co-hosted CNN’s morning program American Morning.
Velshi is an award-winning journalist, receiving a National Headliner Award and multiple Emmy nominations. He is also a published author, with Gimme My Money Back (2008) and How to Speak Money (2010) co-authored with Christine Romans.
Born in Kenya and raised in Canada, Velshi holds a degree from Queen’s University, which awarded him an honorary Doctorate of Laws in 2016. He is active in the community, serving on the Board of Trustees of the Chicago History Museum and working with homeless outreach programs in New York City.
