Lift Every Voice: African American Poetry – 250 Years of Struggle and Song
In partnership with the Chicago Public Library, the Library of America, and The Poetry Foundation we are excited 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 and will be archived 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 L. 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.
Lift Every Voice is directed by Library of America in partnership with the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, the Academy of American Poets, the National Book Foundation, Cave Canem, The Poetry Foundation, the Center for African American Poetry and Poetics (CAAPP), and public libraries, arts organizations, and bookstores in all fifty states. Major funding is provided by the National Endowment for the Humanities, the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, and Emerson Collective.
Library of America is a nonprofit organization that champions the nation’s cultural heritage by publishing America’s greatest writing in authoritative new editions and providing resources and public programming enabling people to explore this rich, living legacy.