GREENEVILLE – Community members are encouraged to celebrate the words and voices of African Americans as Tusculum University concludes its Black History Month observance with one of its traditional events.
Tusculum staff member Steve Anderson, left, and student Andrae Robinson read “Life” by Paul Laurence Dunbar during the 2022 African American Read-In.
Vicky Johnson Bós, associate professor of English, reads during the 2022 African American Read-In.
The English and Languages Department will hold the African American Read-In Wednesday, Feb. 28, from 1-2:30 p.m. in the living room of the Scott M. Niswonger Commons. Community members are invited to join Tusculum faculty, staff and students for this annual drop-in gathering.
Attendees can read or listen to poetry, plays, novels or essays from African American authors. They can also play speeches or music from notable African American leaders and artists. Participants can bring something to read or play or choose from a selection the department will bring.
The Black Caucus of the National Council of Teachers of English established the African American Read-In in 1990.
“We are thrilled to participate in this national event and recognize the creativity and insightful messages of African Americans,” said Dr. Josh Martin, assistant professor of English, who is organizing the Tusculum gathering. “Through this event, we once again hear and see the vast contributions of African Americans to literature, discourse and the arts. The African American Read-In enriches the personal lives of everyone who attends.”
The Tusculum event is free. Participants can enjoy light refreshments and will be eligible to receive giveaways.
Anyone with questions about the African American Read-In can email Dr. Martin at jlmartin@tusculum.edu. More information about the university is available at www.tusculum.edu. To learn more about the national event, please visit https://ncte.org/get-involved/african-american-read-in/.