Join us for a reading and book talk with Darnell Lamont Walker, who will speak about his new book, Never Can Say Goodbye: The Life of a Death Doula and the Art of a Peaceful End. An audience Q&A will follow. This in-person event will be cosponsored by Hospice of the Piedmont and will be free and open to the public. We recommend arriving early for the best seating.
About the Book: Embedded within the fabric of American society are deeply ingrained taboos surrounding death. For African Americans, these taboos are compounded by a complex interplay of factors that make conversations about death even more elusive. The echoes of systemic racism, unequal access to healthcare, and the enduring impact of generational traumas have created an environment where death is often seen as a subject best left untouched.
In his debut book Never Can Say Goodbye, death doula Darnell Lamont Walker delves into the reasons behind the silence surrounding death within the Black community, narrates his personal experiences of holding space for individuals at the end of their lives, and guides and comforts those navigating grief, who silently mourn. Walker shares personal stories from his role as a compassionate guide navigating the delicate space between life and death. These narratives unfold as intimate accounts of individuals, each seeking solace, closure, and the opportunity to share the stories that define them.
This book is for anyone wanting to witness the healing that unfolds when someone is afforded the chance to articulate their life’s journey, find closure in their own narrative, and ultimately, face the inevitable with a newfound sense of peace.
Never Can Say Goodbye captures the essence of these profoundly human moments while exploring the connection between the grieving and their doula, revealing the transformative power of storytelling in the face of mortality. Walker helps you process feelings and emotions from past losses and instills wisdom on how you can hold space and provide your loved ones with the closure they deserve.
About the Author: Darnell Lamont Walker is a death doula, Emmy-nominated children’s television writer, producer, and explorer. Born in Charlottesville, Virginia, he creates spaces worldwide for healing through storytelling, end-of-life care, and workshops on grief, resilience, unlocking the writer within, and radical empathy. He joyfully lives in the Chattahoochee National Forest of North Georgia.
Never Can Say Goodbye will be released on February 10. To order the book, please see below for the New Dominion Bookshop book order form or call the shop at 434-295-2552.
"Never Can Say Goodbye is deliciously woven from threads of guidance, memory, and devotion to the sacred labor of holding space at the end of life."
—Alua Arthur
New Dominion Bookshop Book Order Form
Shop local and support your community bookstore! Order books from New Dominion Bookshop by filling out the contact form below. Please make sure that you list the book title(s) that you would like to order. We will give you a call when your order is ready. If you are placing a pre-order for a book that has not yet been released, your book will be ready on or soon after the book’s release date. There is no need to pre-pay. We will collect your payment when you pick up your order or when your order is shipped. If you would like your book(s) to be signed and/or inscribed, please include that information in the “Message for Our Booksellers” field.
Darnell Lamont Walker Photo Credit: Kristen Finn