Press Release Summary: Sunday, February 3 at 2 p.m. the Norman Public Library will join thousands of organizations across the country and around the world in participating in the nineteenth National African American Read-In. The Norman Read-In will be in the Lowry room of the library, 225 N. Webster, and will feature special guests from local schools and community, including Dr. Melvin Tolson, Jr., Dr. Meta Carstarphen, author Larry Colbert and businesswoman, Karla Bonzie.
Press Release Body: Sunday, February 3 at 2 p.m. the Norman Public Library will join thousands of organizations across the country and around the world in participating in the nineteenth National African American Read-In. The Norman Read-In will be in the Lowry room of the library, 225 N. Webster, and will feature special guests from local schools and community, including Dr. Melvin Tolson, Jr., Dr. Meta Carstarphen, author Larry Colbert and businesswoman, Karla Bonzie.
"This is our fifth year to host the Read-In and it has become a very meaningful and enjoyable experience for everyone involved," says Norman librarian Basha Hartley. "It's a wonderful way for us to come together to experience literature in a very personal, powerful way."
During the Read-In, literature written by African American authors will be on display and available for audience members to select impromptu readings. Program attendees may also bring their own short selections from works created by African American authors. The panel of special guests will also read from their favorite works.
In addition to the readings, the come-and-go event will include food, discussion and performances by step dancers from two Norman elementary schools; the Jefferson Dragon Steppers directed by Danielle Okundaye and the Kennedy Steppers directed by Elisha Ashley.
Featured Reader Melvin Tolson, Jr. retired from teaching French at the University of Oklahoma after 31 years. The university's Henderson-Tolson Cultural Center is co-named in his honor. More recently, the movie, 'The Great Debaters,' produced and directed by Denzel Washington and Forrest Whitaker, brought the Tolson name to the big screen. Melvin Tolson, Jr.'s father received much recognition for his work in education and his journey were depicted in that movie. Dr. Tolson will read some passages from some of his father's work.
Meta Carstarphen, Ph.D., is associate professor and currently holds a Gaylord Endowed Family Professorship for research in the Gaylord College of Journalism and Mass Communication at the University of Oklahoma. In August of 2005, she was appointed Associate Dean, Academic Affairs, for the Gaylord College, in which she served until July 2007. Carstarphen is also the author of numerous articles, book reviews, feature articles, several book chapters, two edited books and one textbook.
Larry Colbert, owner and president of the Colbert House LLC, is the author of two books, a novel titles songs of Zion and a Christian teaching manual, '33 Truths You Should Know About Jesus and The Cross.'
Karla Bonzie is a graduate of the University of Oklahoma with a master's degree in industrial engineering and is currently the Human Resource Manager at Johnson controls, Inc. formerly York African American Read-In continued
International. For more than 20 years, Karla has worked in a variety of positions including engineering, business development and consulting. Bonzie has served on many boards of directors in the community and is presently serving on the board of directors of the United Way and the Norman Chamber of Commerce.
The African American Read-In is a project of the Black Caucus of the National Council of Teachers of English, designed to make literacy a significant part of Black History Month through the public appreciation of works by Black authors.
The 2008 Norman Read-In is coordinated by Bianca Gordon and local businessman, Michael Tisdale. All events held at the Norman library to celebrate Black History month are presented with support from the library, the Pioneer Library system, Friends of the Norman Library, the Norman Arts Council, the Oklahoma Arts Council and the Chamber of Commerce.
One of the Black History celebrations is the annual Crowns Tea, tickets for which will be available at the Read-In. The much anticipated event is Sunday, February 24.
Visit Pioneer Library System's website at www.justsoyouknow.us for information about other Black History Month observations within the systems' three counties; Cleveland, McClain and Pottawatomie.
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Contact Details: Norman Public Library 225 N. Webster Norman, OK 73069
2025
