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Southwest to host 26th national African American Read-In Feb. 25

Set your watches (or cell phones) for noon Feb. 25, the designated time Southwest will celebrate the 26th National African American Read-In. The Read-In will take place at the Union Ave. and Macon Cove campuses, and the Whitehaven, Gill and Maxine Smith centers.

This will be Southwest’s 15th year to celebrate the event established in 1990 by the Black Caucus of the National Council of Teachers of English to promote diversity in literature.  The National African American Read-In has become a significant part of Black History Month, bringing together individuals from churches, schools, libraries and professional organizations to engage in public readings of books by African American authors.  Some events have expanded to include poetry slams, musical acts and media presentations.

Social Sciences Professor Malinda Wade has coordinated the event over the years and encourages staff and students to participate. “It’s a powerful and exciting event where participants can read their own original works or their favorite author,” Wade said. 

The event is open to the public and allows participants and guests to come-and-go or stay for the duration. Each Read-In site has a coordinator.  If you are interested in volunteering or participating, please contact one of the coordinators below.

26th National African American Read-In
Southwest Tennessee Community College
February 25, 2019
Noon

Event Locations and Coordinators

Macon Ave. Campus, Farris Bldg., Room ABC
Coordinator Michael Rounds: 901-333-5242 or mrounds@southwest.tn.edu

Union Ave. Campus, Parrish Bldg., 101
Coordinator Malinda Wade:  901-333-5357 or mwade@southwest.tn.edu

Maxine Smith Center Library
Coodinator Marcia Hunter: 901-333-6062 or mhunter@southwest.tn.edu

Whitehaven Center, Student Break Room
Coordinator Vernita Boone: 901-333-6461 or vboone@southwest.tn.edu

Gill Center Library
Coordinator Yvonne Martin: 901-333-5970 or ymartin@southwest.tn.edu