Chicago Public Library partners with Library of America, the American Writers Museum, and the Poetry Foundation to celebrate the publication of African American Poetry: 250 Years Of Struggle & Song, a definitive new anthology edited by poet and Schomburg Center Director Kevin Young. This event will take place live on CPL's YouTube channel. We'll archive the video on YouTube to watch later as well.
When the world as we know it is disrupted in so many ways, the power of the arts is a balm in Gilead. While we can't be together in person, we invited a few of our favorite voices to bring powerful poems from the new anthology to life. Kevin Young, Billy Branch, Pemon Rami, Roy Kinsey, avery r. young, Emily Hooper Lansana and Eve Ewing are part of the line up who sent us their heartfelt readings to create an intimate evening of words and music. Christine Whack's special rendition of a musical classic is a surprise treat not to be missed.
Lift Every Voice Chicago is curated by Sylvia Ewing.