On Tuesday, April 6th, in the James L. Bolden Student Union Building Ballroom on the campus of Alcorn State University (ASU), Dr. J. Janice Coleman, Professor of English and Dr. Valtreasa Tolliver-Cook, Professor of Social Work, hosted a National Poetry Month Read-In from 12:30 pm to 2:00 pm.
At this event students and faculty read poems of famous poets or shared self written ones. Dr. Coleman opened up the program with “For deLawd” and “Good Times” by Lucille Clifton, an African American poet.
Senora Ana Torres, Instructor of English, shared her self written poem where she spoke the entirety of it in Spanish entitled “ El Gitano y la Paya” which was a first for the Read-In. Next Miss Alcorn State University 2020-2021, Taea Jackson, read “Class Song of 1927” which is a farewell from the very first Miss Alcorn State University 1926-1927, Henrine L. Simpkins.
Most of the topics of the poems represented black culture and police brutality with a few focusing on general inspiration and music appreciation.
If you have any questions concerning the Read-In you can contact Dr. Coleman at (601) 877-3929 or jjanice@alcorn.edu or Dr. Tolliver-Cook at (601) 877-6336 or vtolliver-cook@alcorn.edu.
