About this event
Join UMD on Wednesday, April 24 as they inaugurate the new Frederick Douglass Center for Leadership Through the Humanities, a hub for humanities scholarship and programming that engages the public and works towards social justice and equity, with a special event featuring world-renowned poet, educator, and activist Nikki Giovanni. Her work exploring race, gender, sexuality and the African American family has inspired generations to fight for change. Giovanni will chat with ARHU Associate Dean GerShun Avilez, who leads the Douglass Center, and ARHU Dean Stephanie Shonekan, as well as answer audience questions. A reception will follow.
This free event is co-sponsored by the College of Arts and Humanities, Arts for All and the Division of Student Affairs.
ABOUT NIKKI GIOVANNI
A prolific author and recipient of many awards for her poetry, Nikki Giovanni first emerged as a prominent figure in the Black Arts Movement of the 1960s and ’70s. Her poetry often addresses themes of race, gender, family and social justice with raw honesty. She has taught at various universities and is a university distinguished emerita professor at Virginia Tech. The winner of multiple NAACP Image Awards and the Langston Hughes Medal for Outstanding Poetry, she was also named one of Oprah Winfrey's 25 "Living Legends.” Giovanni made headlines in 2020 for penning a poem titled “Vote” on the importance of civic engagement.
Please note that capacity is limited and we anticipate that tickets will go quickly. Reserve yours today!