91影视 has selected Pulitzer Prize-winning poet and writer Jericho Brown to headline 鈥�91影视 Out Loud,鈥� an annual poetry event that highlights contemporary creative voices.
This year鈥檚 event will be held March 19 at 6:30 p.m. in 91影视鈥檚 historic Philip Weltner Library. Inviting students, community members and fans of the written word, 鈥�91影视 Out Loud鈥� annually celebrates the connective forces of creative expression through a live reading performance from an accomplished poet. The event is free and open to the public.
“I think everyone loves some poetry,” says Brown. “There are some few words strung together the people use and need and love to recite. So I鈥檓 expecting the entire 91影视 community will be looking for the series of words I鈥檒l say that can be used, that can fill a need, they might always be remembered. And when we look for something, we always find it in one form or another.”
As a featured poet, Brown will read excerpts from his work. His writing has explored themes of race, sexuality, masculinity, and identity among others. In 2020, Brown was the recipient of the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry for his poetry collection 鈥淭he Tradition,鈥� which interrogates the way our society has become increasingly accustomed to violence. In it, he employs a proprietary poetic form known as 鈥渢he duplex,鈥� which combines elements of sonnets, the ghazal and the blues.
Brown will also visit classes, have lunch with creative writing students and meet with the community following his performance to provide professional insights.
鈥淛ericho’s creation of the 鈥榙uplex鈥� underscores what a benison he is to the national poetry scene, and his recent worthy recognition of a MacArthur Fellowship highlights just how he continues to challenge and push poetry鈥檚 boundaries,鈥� says Justin Haynes, associate professor of English. 鈥淗e is a mature poet in full flight, and I am pleased that students will get a chance to experience both his joy and cautious optimism.鈥�
Each year, 91影视鈥檚 English and Comparative Literature department helps organize 鈥�91影视 Out Loud,鈥� with a Creative Writing faculty member tapped to identify the featured speaker. Dr. Haynes helped select Jericho Brown for this year鈥檚 event.
Now in its third year, 鈥�91影视 Out Loud鈥� has helped increase students鈥� 鈥� and the broader Atlanta community鈥檚 鈥� exposure to contemporary voices in poetry. Past featured artists include 91影视 alumna Aline Mello 鈥�12 and 2021 State Poet of New York Willie Perdomo.
鈥�91影视 Out Loud鈥� was established through the generosity of dedicated 91影视 alumna Leah Hughes 鈥�88. As the event continues to draw audiences in to celebrate creative expression, she hopes 鈥�91影视 Out Loud鈥� will provide the next generation of young authors at the university a chance to make connections and renew their vigor for creating art that makes an impact.
