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Annual SU African American Poetry Read-In : Event Information

This SU event pays tribute to the National African American Read-In, which is the nation’s first and oldest event dedicated to diversity in literature, which was established in 1990 by the Black Caucus of the National Council of Teachers of English.

REGISTRATION

Please see information below about in-person and virtual attendance.

If you have any questions, please contact Mou Chakraborty, mxchakraborty@salisbury.edu or Stephen Ford, saford@salisbury.edu

7th Annual SU African American Poetry Read-In

DATE/TIME: Wednesday, February 26, 2025, 6-7:30 pm
LOCATION: Dr. Ernie Bond Curriculum Resource Center, Conway Hall 226

**Registration is needed for all attendees, in-person or virtual**

IN-PERSON: The CRC is located on the second floor of Conway Hall, room 226, closest to the Tower Entrance. Conway Hall is located at the corner of S. Salisbury Blvd (BUS RT-13) and West College Ave.

Parking: Non-SU visitors MUST register for a Visitor Parking Permit, free online through the Parking Portal.
Building Access: Conway Hall exterior doors will be unlocked from 5:40 pm until 6:10 pm for the event.

VIRTUAL: During registration, you will have an option to attend virtually. A Zoom link will be emailed to registrants two hours before the event begins.

Attendees are invited to read (or submit videos beforehand) of their own original poems or works of their favorite African American poets. Submit videos by contacting saford@salisbury.edu.

The National African American Read-In is the nation's first and oldest event dedicated to diversity in literature - https://ncte.org/get-involved/african-american-read-in/. It was established in 1990 by the Black Caucus of the National Council of Teachers of English to make literacy a significant part of Black History Month.

The 2025 National Black History Month Theme is "African Americans and Labor" spanning the many impacts Black Americans have had on the visual arts, music, cultural movements, and more.

This event is sponsored by SU Libraries, the Seidel School of Education, and the Department of English.

FEBRUARY is Black History Month

Each February, National Black History Month serves as both a celebration and a powerful reminder that Black history is American history, Black culture is American culture, and Black stories are essential to the ongoing story of America - our faults, our struggles, our progress, and our aspirations. Shining a light on Black history today is as important to understanding ourselves and growing stronger as a Nation as it has ever been.

That is why it is essential that we take time to celebrate the immeasurable contributions of Black Americans, honor the legacies and achievements of generations past, reckon with centuries of injustice, and confront those injustices that still fester today.
     Source: The White House Proclamation on National Black History Month, 2022

How did Black History Month get started?

Gerald Ford was the first president to officially recognize Black History Month in 1976, but it had origins long before that. In the 1920s, African American historian and scholar Carter G. Woodson kicked off efforts to promote the achievements of Black Americans and others of African descent.

Why do we celebrate Black History Month in February?

Early celebrations included a national week dedicated to Black history, celebrated during the second week of February to bridge the birthdays of President Abraham Lincoln, who signed the Emancipation Proclamation into effect, and abolitionist Frederick Douglass.

This week of celebrations was expanded to a month as a result of the civil rights movement leading into the 1960s, with classrooms and college campuses honoring the contributions of Black Americans across U.S. history. For nearly 50 years now, it’s served as a federally recognized national celebration spanning the full month of February.