Adelphi University is proud to host the 21st edition of the African American Literary Read-In on February 22, from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. in the Adelphi University Performing Arts Center (AUPAC), Concert Hall, 1 South Avenue, Garden City. This event is part of the annual African American Literary Read-In celebrated by readers from 49 states in schools, churches, libraries, bookstores, and community and professional organizations. It is free and open to the public.

The African American Literary Read-In 2010 will be celebrated during Black History Month to promote literacy while acknowledging the depth and breadth of Black culture. Among the readers will be the Learning Center’s Coordinator of Academic Learning Services Professor Hinda Barlaz, Director of the Center for African American and Ethnic Studies Dr. Marsha Darling, Chair of the English Department and Professor Kermit Frazier, Assistant Professor of English Jacqueline Jones LaMon, Associate Professor of Political Science Traci Levy’s Feminist Theory class, Assistant Athletic Director/ External Affairs & Media Relations Suzette McQueen, and Director of the Writing Center Mary Wyeth, among others. They will read passages from works including Frederick Douglass’ No Progress without Struggle, Nikki Giovanni’s Ego Tripping (they may be a reason why) , President Barack Obama’s The Audacity of Hope: Thoughts on Reclaiming the American Dream, and Arthur Ashe’s Days of Grace, among other texts.

The 21st edition of the African American Literary Read-In is sponsored by the Adelphi University’s Center for African American and Ethnic Studies, College of Arts and Sciences, Department of Intercollegiate Athletics, English Department, First Year Experience Committee, ICAN (Imagine Change, Act Now), Learning Center, Performing Arts Center, and Writing Center. Additionally, Freeport, NY Mayor Andrew Hardwick, Village of Hempstead Mayor Wayne J. Hall Sr., and Town of Hempstead Councilwoman Dorothy L. Goosby will attend the event.

Initiated by the Black Caucus of the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE) in 1990, the African American Read-In is sanctioned by the NCTE and endorsed by the International Reading Association. As a community outreach initiative, audience members are encouraged to participate in the public reading of selected works of African American writers.

For more information about the African American Literary Read-In 2010, please contact Writing Center Director Mary Wyeth, at (516) 877-3294 or mwyeth@adelphi.edu. To see the full array of events celebrating Black History Month at Adelphi University, please visit the Center for African American and Ethnic Studies Program Web site at http://academics.adelphi.

edu/artsci/caaesp/news.php.

To learn more about the history of the African American Read-In national initiative, please visit www.ncte.org/action/aari.