“It's No Wonder: The Life and Times of Motown's Legendary Songwriter Sylvia Moy” 
An Online Conversation with Margena Christian, July 16, 2026 6:00PM

Item details

Date

July 16, 2026 6:00PM

Description

“It's No Wonder: The Life and Times of Motown's Legendary Songwriter Sylvia Moy” 

An Online Conversation with Margena Christian

“People talk of situations, read books, repeat quotations.” 

—Bob Dylan, “Love Minus Zero/No Limit” 

 

Join Bob Dylan Center Director Steven Jenkins for an online discussion with author and professor Margena Christian about her revelatory biography of Sylvia Moy, the previously overlooked creative force behind a slew of Motown Records classics.

“It’s No Wonder: The Life and Times of Motown’s Legendary Songwriter Sylvia Moy” examines the groundbreaking career of the pioneer who battled sexism and broke down barriers to become Motown’s first certified female in-house songwriter and producer. As the lone woman in a room full of men, the odds were stacked against Moy from the start. Amidst racial strife at the height of the Civil Rights Movement, most African American women who were allowed into the music industry were relegated to careers as a singer. Nevertheless, the Detroit native found unprecedented success as both a songwriter and producer. In addition to single-handedly saving Stevie Wonder’s early career, Moy solidified herself as one of Motown’s most prolific composers, penning classics such as “My Cherie Amour,” “Uptight (Everything’s Alright),” “I Was Made to Love her,” “It Takes Two,” “This Old Heart of Mine (Is Weak For You),” and “Forget Me Not.”

Meticulously researched, fiercely feminist, and told with the cooperation of Moy’s estate, “It’s No Wonder” is a historical corrective that restores Sylvia Moy to her rightful place at the forefront of music history. 

Zoom in for this virtual chat as Christian discusses “It’s No Wonder” and fields questions from Jenkins and attendees.

Presenting Supporters: Joe Donnelly and Becky Thorson

“Christian has a tricky task of making her taciturn subject stand out from the background of a vibrant scene full of colorful characters, but Moy comes alive as the author describes the productive relationship with Wonder as he moved from wunderkind to mature artist, just before the label was ready to drop him for failing to earn a hit….A heart-tugging tale of brilliance finally rewarded.”

—Kirkus

 

About Margena Christian

St. Louis native and scholar Margena Christian’s research focuses on the intersections of media in education, Black popular culture and historical inquiry. Her previous books include “Empire: The House that John H. Johnson Built (The Life and Legacy of Pioneering Publishing Magnate)” and “Wally, Where’d You Get Those Glasses? My Life through the Lens from Parliament, Pendergrass and Prince” (with Wallace Safford). Christian has contributed articles to Ebony, Jet, American National Biography and other publications, profiling artists such as Bo Diddley, Tupac Shakur, Donna Summer and Luther Vandross. Her academic recognitions include distinction as a Black History Maker from University of Illinois and the Distinguished Alumni Award from National Louis University, where she earned both a master’s degree and doctorate.

Ticket Information

Members: Free Admission

Non-Members: $5.00 plus tax

This event will be available virtually via Zoom

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