Thick: And Other Essays We are so excited to host Tressie McMillan Cottom on Sunday, February 10 at 2 pm at the Main Library when she will discuss her latest book, Thick. This collection of eight essays focuses on gender, race, and capitalism with wit and wisdom. Dr. Cottom is the author of Lower Ed and is an assistant professor of sociology at VCU. Her work has been featured in the Washington Post, the Daily Show, Slate, and The Atlantic.