35th annual African American Read-In Chain uplifts Black voices in literature

By Felecia Piggott-Long, Ph.D. 

 More than 85 African American literature enthusiasts gathered at the Sylvia Sprinkle-Hamlin Library auditorium on Saturday, Feb 8, at 2 p.m. to share their jewels from old texts, new readings and original texts, which spring from a collection of Black creations. This outpouring was hosted by Dr. Elwanda Ingram, retired English professor from Winston-Salem State University (WSSU). Each year she opens the door for new voices to share valued works of literature. 

“The African American Read-in Chain began in 1990 under the auspices of the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE), the first and oldest website devoted to improving the teaching and learning of English and the language arts,” said Ingram. 

“More than six million people around the world have participated in this literacy activity. I am proud to say that since 1990, since its inception at WSSU, this event has been held at St. Philips Moravian Church, Old Salem, Lloyd Presbyterian Church, the Children’s Storytime Room, and other spaces,” said Ingram. “Even though I had to move the event, I always found a place to carry on.  

“Mr. Tony Cloud has usually helped to set up the space, and all of you have agreed to return to read again and again. I keep asking, and you keep agreeing to share, and I thank you for that. There is nothing like hearing how African American writers use language,” said Ingram. 

Thirty readers participated in the read-in, and one singer – Joseph Anderson of the Healing Force, who also sang at the Apollo Theatre during the 1960s – sang his original song from the Song of Solomon called “Beautiful Woman, Touch Me With Your Love.”  Visual Arts instructor Grace Humphreys Rockafellow displayed her original collection of African Americans who have contributed to America. Her collection included such greats as Frederick Douglass, Nina Simone, and Hattie McDaniel. 

Several readers opted to reveal the Black woman’s voice of liberation. For example, Dr. Ingram recited “Ego Trippin’” by Nikki Giovanni, “Get It and Feel Good” by Ntozake Shange, and “Homage to My Hips” by Lucille Clifton. Alice Bitting read from the text “Black Love Letters” edited by Cole Brown and Natalie Johnson with a foreword by John Legend. The poem was called “To My Twenty-Year Self-Love Journey” by Brianna Holdt. The poem spoke of loving one’s natural hair and skin color.  

Corlis Sellers read from “Forty Plus Love Songs of W. E. B. DuBois.” She read a poem about Bell, from Honoree Fanonne Jeffers. Emma Love read a poem to celebrate her dark skin called “My Dark Skin Screams.”  LaShunda Booker, known as Life, came out singing melodies from “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom” by August Wilson. Tameka Alford read a daring scene from Toni Morrison’s novel “Sula,” which highlights her friendship with her Bestie named Nell. Pamela Simmons read an essay from Susan L. Taylor’s “Essence” collection.  

Several readers also opted to focus on historical topics in their selections. For example, Rita Edwards read from “The Marrow of Tradition” by Charles Chesnutt. Dr. Debra Boyd read a poem from the “Negritude Movement” called “To the American Negro Soldiers,” and Jordan Boyd read “The Negro in the Army.”  

I read from Larry Leon Hamlin’s drama “Poppa C. W Brown and the Black Moravians” and “Joanne!” A drama about Joanne Little by Ed Bullins. These texts came from my book “Locating the Neo-Black Aesthetic:  Playwrights of the North Carolina Black Repertory Company React to the Black Arts Movement.”  

Dr. Fleming El-Amin read from “Wake Up to Human Life” by Imam W. Deen Mohammed. Marilyn Roseboro read from “She Persisted” by Opal Lee, while Norma Corley read a text by Michelle Obama, and LaTanya Afolayan read a book about the contributions of John Lewis. Mick Scott read from “The Hill We Climb” by Amanda Gorman, Inaugural poet. Renee Andrews took hold of Sonya Sanchez’s lyric “Catch the Fire.” 

Another outstanding topic for the readings included “The Black Man.” For example, Ann Humphreys read the poem “26 Ways of Looking at a Black Man” by Raymond Patterson (1969). Nathan Ross Freeman read from “Oblisque,” awaiting a book launch, that includes a collection of original short stories. Ivan Foster read “Wooing the Muse,” an essay from Jesse B. Semple by Langston Hughes. Rochelle Israel read a selection about a Black Man and a Black Woman and Our History and Rosa Parks. Dell James read the poem “Love After Love” by Derek Walcott of Trinidad. Rosa Porter read from an original work called “Givin’ Gifts.” What is more, Al Green presented Langston Hughes’ signature poem “I’ve Known Rivers.”   

Chuck Hinsley, Darline Bell, Debbie Daniels expressed political ideas. Rosalyn Dunlap read from her text “Old Great Jubilee.”  She wrote inspirational poetry as a military wife. 

Next year, the group plans to give honor to Dr. Elwanda Ingram for keeping this read-in chain continuing for 35 years. Fleming El-Amin made the suggestion and those in attendance agreed. 

Dr Ingram paid homage to three readers who are now among the ancestors. “Dr. Winston Bell, Dr. Carlton Eversley, and Sylvia Sprinkle-Hamlin read with us for years. And they are surely missed, May they continue to rest in peace,” said Dr. Ingram.