Black History Month Kicks Off with 20th Annual Read-In Chain

February 10, 2009 by Douglas Gamble

Students gathered in Nestor Hall’s West Study Lounge on Feb. 5 to take part in the 20th annual “Dreams of our Fathers” African-American Read-In Chain. The event features Columbus State students, faculty, and staff, as well as guests and speakers from Columbus Africentric Early College High School.
 
The event took place from 12:30 p.m. to around 1:45 p.m., and featured poems, stories, and other works by African-American authors, both past and present. The event takes place annually, in February, to celebrate Black History Month.
 
“(This year) was the best ever”, says event organizer Robyn Lyons-Robinson. “We had everyone from ninth graders to college faculty participating.”
 
Audience turnout was strong as well, filling the Study Lounge with clapping and cheering for the speakers. Audience members were able to stay and meet the speakers after the Read-In, and speak with them about their works.
 
Among the speakers were Yta Bari, who read a speech on African Names and identity, and Christopher Hartway, who read his original poem, “Shame”.
 
Hartway, a Columbus Africentric Early College High School student, had this to say of the event: “I thought it was good to see people sharing their outlook, their stories, and just expressing themselves.”
 
The event is the first of many to take place this month, all in celebration of Black History Month. The events vary greatly, ranging from art galleries to guest speakers, even discussion panels. The events take place over the entire course of February, starting with the Read-In on Feb. 5, and ending with the “Poets in Black” poetry reading on the Feb. 24.
 
The events, hosted by Columbus State Community College, are free of charge, and located on campus. Students are encouraged to attend as many as they like. “(Students) should take full advantage of college activities and events.” says Robinson. “That is a big part of the college experience.”