Monday, April 21, 2008
by: Dr. Simone A. James Alexander Chair & Associate Professor, Department of Africana & Diaspora Studies

What better way to commemorate April, National Poetry Month, by hosting two renowned poets to share, perform their poetry!

Inaugurated by the Academy of Poets in April 1996, National Poetry Month (NPM) brings together booksellers, literary organizations, libraries, schools, and poets around the world to celebrate poetry and its vital role in American culture and society. Promoting the goal of National Poetry Month, that of increasing the visibility, presence and accessibility to poetry and living poets, the Department of Africana and Diaspora Studies is hosting an evening of performance poetry with notable poets, Abena P. A. Busia and David Mills. The event will take place on Monday, April 21, 2008 from 6:00 PM to 9:30 PM in the Chancellor’s Suite, University Center.

Abena P. A. Busia is Associate Professor of English at Rutgers University, New Brunswick. A poet, a short story writer and a scholar, Busia has published a poetry collection titled Testimonies of Exile. She is co-director of the groundbreaking Women Writing Africa Project. Busia is currently at work on a book titled Song in a Strange Land.

Actor and poet, David Mills has worked in the dramatic and literary communities for nearly two decades. Mills is a recipient of many awards, including a BRIO Award and a Hughes Diop award from Chicago State University. His forthcoming book of poetry, Back Space: Return will be published by Dusey Press in fall 2009.

All are welcome to join this free event! For more information, contact Dr. Simone James Alexander, Department of Africana Studies at (973) 275-5881 or alexansi@shu.edu.

For more information please contact:
Dr. Simone A. James Alexander
(973) 275-5881
alexansi@shu.edu