Haki R. Madhubuti and Kelly Norman Ellis will be in conversation on Zoom from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. about Madhubuti's new book of poems Taught by Women, Poems as Resistance Language, New and Selected.
After a half-century of writing, teaching, and activism, iconic educator, publisher, and poet Haki Madhubuti returns to his roots in his first single-authored book of poetry since 2005.
Madhubuti is a leading poet, activist, educator, and a key architect of the Black Arts Movement. He has published more than 35 poetry and nonfiction books (some under his former name, Don L. Lee), and is a recipient of a wide array of awards. Prof. Madhubuti is a co-founder of the Institute of Positive Education/New Concept School (1969), and a cofounder of Betty Shabazz International Charter School, Barbara A. Sizemore Middle School, and DuSable Leadership Academy, all located in Chicago.
Prof. Madhubuti has dedicated his life to increasing resources and forums for black writers. He founded Third World Press in 1967 and under his leadership, the Press (now in its 53rd year) exists as the oldest independent Black publishing company in the world. Prof. Madhubuti continues his long, rich legacy of service, struggle, and commitment to the Black community, to the Black Freedom Struggle, and to the development and sustainment of independent Black institutions.
Taught By Women pays homage to an array of women who have influenced him and contributed to Madhubiti's five-decade career of publishing Black writers and contributing a strong Black literary tradition. Readers are urged not to forget the many women who have nurtured, encouraged, challenged and strengthened us despite our sometimes dismal circumstances. Madhubuti insists that we remember these women, these long-distance runners, who give hope, optimism and courage to the next generation of children who need their strength, perseverance and quiet power.
Kelly Norman Ellis is a poet and educator. Her poems have appeared in Sisterfire: Black Womanist Fiction and Poetry, Spirit and Flame, Role Call: A Generational Anthology of Social and Political Black Literature and Art, Boomer Girls, Essence Magazine, Obsidian, Calyx, and Cornbread Nation. She is a recipient of a Kentucky Foundation for Women writer’s grant and is a Cave Canem fellow and founding member of the Affrilachian Poets. Ellis is an associate professor of English and creative writing and chairperson for the Department of English, Foreign Languages and Literatures at Chicago State University.
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