Courtesy of University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff
The Department of English, Humanities, and Foreign Languages at UAPB joined over one million readers in the National African American Read-In (AARI) during its 39th annual UAPB African-American Read-In held at the John Brown Watson Memorial Library’s auditorium on February 29, 2024. The program participants included Mr. Henry Brooks, Ms. Jackie Faucette, Ms. Mary Debra HesterClifton (published works), Ms. Beverly James (published works), Ms. Portia Jones, Ms. Mary Parker, and Mr. Kevin Sanders.
AARI is a groundbreaking effort to encourage communities to read together, centering on African American books and authors. Its mission is to make literacy a significant part of Black History Month. This initiative has reached more than 6 million participants around the world. Readers of all ethnic groups from the United States, the District of Columbia, the West Indies, African countries, and more have participated.
During February, schools, churches, libraries, bookstores, community and professional organizations, and interested citizens are urged to make literacy a significant part of Black History Month by hosting an African-American Read-In. Hosting an event can be as simple as bringing together friends to share a book (poem/drama) or as elaborate as arranging public readings and media presentations that feature African American writers.
According to Kevin Sanders, UAPB School of Arts & Sciences, Assistant Professor of English & Interim Chair of the department, the African American Read-In allows students and faculty to showcase their “talent and creativity for literacy” by reading their original works and even reading classic works by Black writers. This year’s program submissions included:
- Ms. Mary (Debra Hester) Clifton (staff), original poetry: “Wet Bootstraps,” “Look up, Way in the Middle of the Air,” “Wade vs. Roe Woe,” and “Breaking the “Ism” Glass Ceiling of Racism, Sexism, Ageism.”
- Mr. James Johnson (student), original poetry “Past Thoughts.”
- Ms. Jackie Faucette, (staff) poetry by Langston Hughes, “The Negro Mother.”
- Ms. Mary Parker (faculty), original poetry, “Whole New World.”
- Ms. Beverly James, (student), original book except, “Also Known As…. Trilogy.“
- Ms. Breanna Bates (student), original poetry, “Whispers in the Nursery.”
- Mr. Kyontae Sanders (student), original poetry, “Black.”
- Mr. Henry Brooks (faculty) W.E.B. DuBois book excerpt, “Souls of Black Folks.“
- Ms. Portia Jones (former staff), a dramatic excerpt entitled “Elaine.”
- Mr. Kevin Sanders, (Interim Chair) August Wilson play excerpt, Fences. Professor Sanders is an active member of the National Council of Teachers of English. He wishes to thank the participants, students, staff, faculty, and community guests who attended the event.
This event has been held and hosted at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff through the English Department since it was first organized in 1990 by the Black Caucus of the National Council of Teachers of English. At its November 1989 meeting, the Black Caucus of the National Council of Teachers of English accepted the Issues Committee’s recommendation that the Black Caucus sponsor a nationwide Read-In. Also, the Read-In is endorsed by the International Reading Association now as the International Literacy Association, a global advocacy and membership organization with a mission to transform lives through literacy across 75 countries.