Montgomery County native, author, and former Special Assistant to the President and Associate White House Counsel to President Obama Jason G. Green joins Universities at Shady Grove Executive Director Dr. Anne Khademian for a timely and reflective conversation on his new book, Too Precious to Lose: A Memoir of Family, Community and Possibility.
Taking place just days before Juneteenth, this special event explores the connections between history, belonging, leadership, and the power of community. Through personal stories rooted in Montgomery County, Green reflects on how understanding the past can help communities build a stronger, more connected future.
The conversation also carries a uniquely local significance. Held less than three miles from the historic Pleasant View site at the center of both Green’s book and his family’s story, the event highlights the deep ties between education, preservation, and community engagement. In recent years, students from The Universities at Shady Grove have contributed to preservation and restoration efforts at Pleasant View — a site with more than 158 years of history that continues to offer lessons about resilience, responsibility, and what it means to build something worth sustaining for future generations.
Community members, students, educators, civic leaders, and anyone interested in Montgomery County’s history and future are encouraged to attend this meaningful conversation.
Event details
5:30-6:00 pm | Networking and Refreshments
6:00-6:15 pm | Welcome & About the Author
6:15-7:00 pm | Fireside Chat and Audience Q&A
7:00-7:30 pm | Meet the Author
Signed book copies for all USG student attendees
About Jason Green
Jason G. Green is a Maryland-born community builder, attorney, entrepreneur, and storyteller whose work sits at the intersection of economic opportunity, community trust-building, and democratic renewal. Green served as Special Assistant to the President and Associate White House Counsel to President Obama, advising on domestic and economic policy during the recovery from the Great Recession. He later co-founded SkillSmart, a pioneering workforce and economic-impact software company that has helped quantify more than $100 billion in economic development activity and supported a talent pipeline of skilled workers across the United States. jasongerardgreen.com
About His Book
Too Precious to Lose: A Memoir of Family, Community, and Possibility
A compelling memoir from former Obama White House staffer Jason G. Green, uncovering his family’s roots in a lost Black community in rural Maryland. Blending history, public service, and personal discovery—including the bold integration of three churches—this powerful story invites readers to reflect on belonging, leadership, and the enduring impact of community.
Parking: Paid parking is plentiful at USG and easiest in Lot 2, where attendees can enter into Bldg III for the event.