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Children's book author, storytelling part of Wake libraries celebration of African American poetry

"Lift Every Voice: Why African American Poetry Matters" is part of a year-long national public humanities initiative that's presented by the Library of America and the Shomburg Center for Research in Black Culture.

Posted Updated
Willa Brigham
By
Sarah Lindenfeld Hall
, Go Ask Mom editor

Wake County Public Libraries is hosting a month-long celebration of African American poetry starting this week through Feb. 25.

"Lift Every Voice: Why African American Poetry Matters" is part of a year-long national public humanities initiative that's presented by the Library of America and the Shomburg Center for Research in Black Culture. Wake's library system is one of 49 institutions to receive a grant to provide public programming with poets and scholars, according to a press release. All programs will be virtual and are free.

The programs include a history of North Carolina's Black musicians, a concert from local jazz and blues vocalist Shenette Swann, who you also might recognize from Marbles Kids Museum; and a session about writing haiku. North Carolina Poet Laureate Jaki Shelton Green also is on the schedule.
Kids and families will enjoy a 6 p.m, Feb. 11, session with children's book author Kelly Starling Lyons, who wrote "Sing a Song: How Lift Every Voice and Sing Inspired Generations" about the Black National Anthem. There's also an evening of storytelling with artist and songwriter Willa Brigham at 6:30 p.m., Feb. 17.
More information is on Wake libraries' website.

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