Author Talk: Carolyn Staley

Presented in Partnership with the Clinton House Museum

Carolyn Staley will discuss her new book, "The Boy Next Door: My Sixty-Year Friendship with Bill Clinton," an intimate biography of President Bill Clinton by a high school and lifelong friend.

When Virginia Clinton moved with her teenage sons to Hot Springs, Arkansas, in 1961, her eldest, Bill, walked next door to meet the piano player he hoped would accompany his saxophone solo at upcoming state recitals. He met Carolyn Staley, now his biographer. Stately's new book describes the life of President Bill Clinton as seen through the lens of one who was his next-door neighbor during high school and who has maintained a close and uninterrupted friendship ever since, by maintaining a near-constant correspondence, serving roles in both his gubernatorial and presidential administrations, and having shared personal interests, especially music.

Books will be available for sale and signing following the event. 

This event is presented in partnership with the Clinton House Museum. Learn more →

About the author

Carolyn Yeldell Staley, author of "The Boy Next Door: My Sixty-Year Friendship with Bill Clinton" is a writer, pastor, musician, and former director of state and federal agencies. She helped author "When God Whispered My Name: Stories of Journey told by Baptist women in Ministry" (2021). Her 2007 article "A Reflection on Boris Yeltsin, Bill Clinton & Religious Liberty" was published in Time magazine, Report on the Capital, and reprinted in newspapers nationwide.

Carolyn has led federal and state agencies. From 1994-2004 she was Deputy Director of the National Institute for Literacy in Washington, DC.  She was the Director of the Governor’s Commission on Adult Literacy, Director of State Services for the Arkansas Arts Center, and Director of the Arkansas Arts Council. She ran for AR State Representative in 2010.

As a minister, she was Pastor of Bethlehem United Methodist Church, Lonoke, Arkansas  (2014-16) and Associate Pastor of Pulaski Heights Baptist Church (2005-2014). She earned a Master of Theology degree in 2003 from the John Leland Seminary, Arlington, VA and was ordained in 2002. She attended Ouachita University (1964-67) and completed a graduate degree in music performance at Indiana University where she was a graduate teaching assistant.

While living in DC from 1994 to 2005, Carolyn was Associate Pastor at Briggs Memorial Baptist Church, Bethesda, MD, and Worship Minister at McLean Baptist Church (VA) and Columbia Baptist Church, Falls Church (VA).  She was on staff of Second Baptist Church and Lakeshore Drive Baptist Church in Little Rock. She served 2 terms as Chair of Deacons, McLean Baptist Church. She began ministry as a teen as children’s choir and youth director. She was soloist at the University of Chicago Rockefeller Chapel and cantor for Jewish congregations for 30 years.

Carolyn served on the boards of the Arkansas Interfaith Alliance, the M.L. King Commission, Our House homeless shelter, Serve Trust India, Baptist Women in Ministry, and the THEA Foundation. She was Moderator of the Arkansas Cooperative Baptist Fellowship (2011-12) and founded Arkansas Baptist Women in Ministry.

She traveled 3 summers to Zambia, Angola and South Africa to begin literacy programs to combat HIV/AIDS. She also worked in India and Venezuela, and in the Mississippi Delta.

She has performed in concerts and operas. She taught at universities in Indiana, Kentucky, Arkansas, Maryland and Virginia. Concerts include two in Russia with conductor Sarah Caldwell of the Boston Opera.  She chaired the Inaugural Dedication service for Governor Bill Clinton in 1987 and 1990. She produced the 1993 Inaugural Prayer Service for President Bill Clinton and sang at both the 1993 and 1997 services.

Born in Kentucky, Carolyn grew up in Arkansas as a Baptist minister’s daughter. She has lived in Clarksville, West Memphis, Hot Springs, Little Rock, NW Indiana, and Washington, DC.

Carolyn is married to Jerry Staley, a retired architectural photographer and teacher. They are parents of three young adults and have five grandchildren.

All abilities are welcome. For disability accommodations, call 479.856.7250 or email questions@faylib.org 2-3 weekdays before a program.

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