Little-Known and Original Works by African American Authors Shared at Read-In

The University Libraries at the University of Missouri-Kansas City was host to the seventh annual African American Read-In, sharing works created by African American authors and artists in honor of Black History Month.

Sharing readings were Gloria Anderson, Gloria Snowden, Patricia Barra, Keron Hopkins, Cynthia Fails, Natasha Ria El-Scari, Angela Rabin, annalise fonza, Kelly Hams Pearson, Sharon Gibson, Monica Rolf, Tracey Hughes, C. J. Pulliam and Pierce Vallier.

Original works were read by Fails, El-Scari, Pearson, Rolf and Hughes.

Fails read an excerpt from “Ella and One Tiny Thing,” a book of love letters to, and lessons instilled by, her mom. Fails, a senior student service coordinator in the UMKC Academic Support and Mentoring Center, is author and illustrator of the children’s book.

“I will need your help when I’m reading the book,” said Fails. “Audience members on the left repeat “just one thing;” those on the right say “one tiny thing.” Serving as assistants when promoted, the audience learned that “just one thing” and “one tiny thing” can have “a ripple effect on us all.”

The African American Read-In was created by the Black Caucus of the National Council of Teachers of English in 1989.

The Event Committee was led by Tracey Hughes, chair; Tom Burns; Ashley Davis; Liz Johnson; and Gloria Tibbs, advisor to the committee.

|Wandra Brooks Green, Division of Strategic Marketing and Communications