Region’s Acclaimed Poets Share Their Work at Four Poets Event
On Tuesday, February 15th, the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion presented “4 Poets: A Reading and Discussion,” featuring four of the region’s most acclaimed poets as part of Black History Month.
My lips and tongue freeze
and the debate rolls on
all mixed up
in black and white.
from “The Trouble with Pronouns,” by Tara Campbell
The celebrated lineup included award-winning poets Tara Campbell, winner of multiple grants and awards for her writing; Teri Ellen Cross Davis, poetry coordinator for the Folger Shakespeare Library; Dr. Tony Medina, the first professor of creative writing at Howard University and Kim B. Miller, a NOVA alumna and the current poet laureate of Prince William County.
President Anne Kress introduced each poet and read samples of their work. The poets then presented their work through pieces that spoke to familial concerns and the anxiety and challenges presented by bigotry. Ms. Miller presented an emotional selection of haiku that touched on identity and freedom. After the readings, they engaged in a lively and humorous discussion about their respective experiences with poetry. Davis, in particular, told attendees to “read, read, read.”
The evening closed with each discussing what other art forms inspire their work and, in line with their performances, they spoke of music, anger, the need for silence and the embrace of the concept that poetry is the release of their experiences–good or bad. They also provided inspiration to aspiring poets and assured them that the DC/MD/VA region is particularly welcoming to the arts.
The event was recorded and is available to view for those unable to attend. The recording is available only to enrolled students and NOVA faculty and staff. To view the recording through NOVA’s Video on Demand, visit https://online.nvcc.edu/videoservices/. Click “Academic Resources.” Click SSO Log In (bottom right of screen) and log in using your VCCS user name. Scroll down to “DEI-Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.”
NOVA’s Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion is committed to advancing Inclusive Excellence and improving the well-being and success of all NOVA students, faculty, staff and the greater community. The Office of DEI works in collaboration with all aspects of the college community to elevate the acceptance of different ideas, values, beliefs, abilities and perspectives while also advancing equity as aligned with the College’s Mission and Strategic Plan and helping to create and sustain a more inclusive and accepting college community.
Submitted by:
Ed Aymar, DEI-Communications Coord., EAymar@nvcc.edu