FREEDOM RIDERS TO FREEDOM WRITERS LITERARY SERIES Co-hosts author Ralph “Cheo” Thurmon and former First Lady of Atlanta Valerie Jackson interview authors about their work and social change. The Freedom Riders to Freedom Writers Literary Series is presented in partnership with the Auburn Avenue Research Library on African American History and Culture, a special library the Fulton County Library system.
Henry Louis Gates presents America Behind the Color Line: Dialogues with African Americans and The Future of the Race Thursday, January 17, 2008, 7:00 p.m. Auburn Avenue Research Library on African American Culture and History 101 Auburn Avenue N.E. Atlanta, GA 30303 Henry Louis Gates will discuss his recent anthology, America Behind the Color Line: Dialogues with African Americans and The Future of the Race. The Director of the W.E.B. DuBois Institute for African and African American Research at Harvard University, Gates is a scholar, educator and the author of some of the nation’s most noted works on issues of race in America, most notably The Africana: The Encyclopedia of the African and African American Experience (1999). Click here for a complete listing of Literary Series events
Poetry to the People Open Mic and After Party Thursday, January 17, 2008, 9:00 p.m. Java-ol’-o-gy 466 Edgewood Avenue, Atlanta, GA 30303 You are invited to participate in this evening of words and rhythms. Read your own work along side nationally renowned poets in the King District’s coolest java joint. This open mic night is hosted by Ralph Cheo Thurmon and Atlanta spoken word artist, Mikauk Rai. Come ready to read and to address contemporary social issues through poetry! This evening of poetry is presented in partnership with Writing in the Circle Writers’ Workshop and Sankofa Spirit Film Series.
Pearl Cleage
Click here for a complete listing of Community Events
Writing in the Circle Of Life Writers Workshop Saturday, January 19, 2008, 2:00 p.m. Auburn Avenue Research Library on African American Culture and History 101 Auburn Avenue N.E. Atlanta, GA 30303 Join nationally renowned literary artist and poet Ralph Cheo Thurmon as he guides newly emerging writers in a workshop. Read your poetry, create new work and discuss the creative process. Special guest to the circle is nationally-renown literary historian, author, and poet, Eugene B. Redmond.
Gloria Wade Gayles
Literary Interview with Unita Blackwell by Gloria Wade Gayles - “Barefootin': Life Lessons from the Road to Freedom”
Saturday, January 19, 2008, 5:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. film screening Auburn Avenue Research Library on African American Culture and History 101 Auburn Avenue N.E. Atlanta, GA 30303 Unita Blackwell was a sharecropper who rose to become Mississippi’s first black woman Mayor. During the Civil Rights movement, she worked for voting rights, was arrested over 75 times, faced firebombs and burning crosses fighting for the right to vote and equality in education. As a leader in the Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party she, Fannie Lou Hammer and other powerful women disrupted the 1964 Democratic Convention and challenged the Party for the right of representation.
In an interview with scholar and author Gloria Wade Gayles, Ms. Blackwell will recount life lessons from her book “Barefootin': Life Lessons from the Road to Freedom”. Join Mrs. Blackwell for a screening of the film “Standing on My Sisters Shoulders” to follow the interview.
Writers Reception Open to the public. Audiences will be able to meet the 2008 King Service Summit literary artists in an intimate reception. Sunday, January 20, 2008, 4:00 p.m. Auburn Avenue Research Library on African American Culture and History 101 Auburn Avenue N.E. Atlanta, GA 30303
A Literary Interview with Screenwriter, Producer, Will Packer
Join host Ralph Cheo Thurmon as he interviews noted film artist Will Packer, producer of the Sony / Screen Gems box office hit, Stomp The Yard (2007), The Gospel (2005) and recent release This Christmas, starring Regina King, Chris Brown, Loretta Devine, Delroy Lindo among others. Packer is a known pioneer of theatrical independent film distribution and private sector film financing, a successful entrepreneur, a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, and volunteer fundraiser for Readers Make Leaders, Inc. Audiences will enjoy a conversation with Packer on race and the power of film to address minority images in media as well as how he uses his company, Rainforest Film, as a tool for change.
Sunday, January 20 - 5:00 p.m.
Auburn Avenue Research Library on African American Culture and History 101 Auburn Avenue N.E. Atlanta, GA 30303
Literary Series sponsored by:
