Kwame Alexander to Speak on ‘The Good Ones’

The School of Education continues the Douglas P. Biklen Landscape of Urban Education Lecture Series on Thursday, Nov. 12, at 7 p.m. with author Kwame Alexander. Alexander is a poet, educator, New York Times bestselling author of 21 books and recipient of the 2015 Newbery Medal for his novel “The Crossover.” His talk, “The Good Ones: How Language Marginalizes and Literature Empowers Our Children,” will be held in Grant Auditorium. The lecture is free and open to the public, and CART (Communication Access Real-time Translation) services will be provided.

Kwame Alexander

Alexander promises, “a bit of conversation, a dash of storytelling and a splash of performance,” as he shares from his recent books, educational insights and worldwide experiences (Singapore, Ghana, Brazil and Italy) in literacy empowerment. Alexander’s presentation is a continuation of the 2015-16 Landscape of Urban Lecture Series theme, “Seeing Humanity: The Politics of Inclusion and Exclusion.” Copies of Alexander’s recent books will be for sale at the event.

Since 2005, the Landscape of Urban Education Lecture Series has been dedicated to the presentation of current ideas and strategies for navigating urban education terrain in the United States. The speakers engaged for this series are renowned scholars committed to revitalizing inclusive urban education.

A generous gift by School of Education Board of Visitors member Jeryl Mitchell ’81, G’83 named the lecture series in honor of retiring Dean Douglas P. Biklen. This will allow the lecture series to continue its mission and expand its audience and national reach for many years to come.

Other speakers in this year’s series will be:

• “LUE in NYC—From the Cradle to the Grave: Media, (Re)presentation and (Re)production and American Democracy”
  With Jeffery Mangram, associate professor in the School of Education
  Friday, Nov. 20, 6:30 p.m.
  Fisher Center, 136 Madison Ave., New York City
• Bettina Love
  Associate Professor, University of Georgia; Author of “Hip Hop’s Li’l Sistas Speak: Negotiating Hip Hop Identities and Politics in the New South”
  Thursday, Feb. 4, 2016, 5:30 p.m.
  Maxwell Auditorium
• “Prec(ar)ious Knowledge: Adolescent Wisdom Borne in Neoliberal Blues:
  An Essay Written While Dancing on Sari’s Generous Shoulders”
  In Memory of Sari Knopp Biklen
  The Harry S. and Elva K. Ganders Memorial Fund Lecture
  With Michelle Fine, Distinguished Professor, CUNY Graduate Center
  Thursday, Feb. 18, 2016, 4 p.m.
  Watson Theater
• Jacqueline Woodson
  Author of “Miracle’s Boys” (2001 Coretta Scott King Award) and “Brown Girl Dreaming” (2015 Newbery Honor Award)
  Tuesday, April 5, 2016, 5:30 p.m.
  Gifford Auditorium

For more information, call 315-443-4696.