Episode Details

Gwendolyn Lambert Smalls is a Virginia-based author, podcast host, and civil rights advocate whose work is defined by her family’s pursuit of justice following the 2013 death of her brother, Linwood Raymond Lambert Jr., while in police custody.Early life and family tragedy

• Birth: Gwendolyn Lambert Smalls was born in Alexandria, Virginia, in January 1968.
• Brother’s death: In May 2013, her brother, Linwood Raymond Lambert Jr., died in the custody of the South Boston Police Department after being tasered multiple times. Smalls and her family immediately began advocating for an investigation, challenging the official cause of death and alleging excessive use of force by police officers.
• Advocacy: Following the incident, Smalls became a vocal advocate, organizing peaceful marches with family and the NAACP to push for federal intervention in her brother’s case. The family filed a civil lawsuit against the police department, which was eventually settled in 2016.

Writing career

• First book: In 2021, Smalls published her first book, When Shall The Bough Break. The autobiographical work recounts the events surrounding her brother’s death and the family’s journey for justice.
• Writing style: She uses her writing to share personal truths and highlight social injustices, aiming to inspire readers to consider and address similar issues in their communities.
• Second book: Smalls has also completed her second manuscript, Hidden In Plain Sight, which was in the initial stages of editing as of September 2022.

Podcast host

• Show: Smalls hosts a podcast also titled When Shall the Bough Break, which is featured on the Da Crew Podcast network.
• Themes: Her podcast serves as a platform for discussing topics related to the human condition and social justice, further extending the themes explored in her book.

Personal interestsAccording to her Amazon author biography, Smalls has a deep love for her family and an interest in history. She also enjoys reading and spoiling her chihuahua.Gwendolyn Lambert Smalls was inspired to write When Shall The Bough Break by the 2013 death of her brother, Linwood Raymond Lambert, Jr., while he was in police custody. The book is a historical autobiography detailing her family’s origins, her brother’s shocking demise, and the ensuing decade-long fight for justice.Key inspirations behind the book include:

• A divine message: According to Smalls, she felt a divine calling to share her family’s story and convey the message of “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” She believes that once people read the book or watch the video of the incident, they will understand how this message perfectly fits the narrative.
• The pursuit of justice: Following the closure of her brother’s case by federal and local officials, Smalls felt it was necessary to tell the full story. The book chronicles the painful events and the disheartening lack of accountability surrounding his death.
• The power of a personal story: Smalls kept meticulous notes, photos, and journal entries throughout the family’s trial, protests, and news conferences. With the encouragement of friends and family, she realized the story needed to be told to a wider audience to chronicle the experience and offer a broader understanding of similar social injustices.
• Inspiring others: Ultimately, Smalls hopes her book will empower readers to find their own purpose and inspire them to tell their own stories. She also hopes it will encourage readers, particularly in the Black community, to “change the world” by gaining a deeper understanding of issues they may not have previously known about.

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