This event will take place at Sumner Hall, 206 S. Queen Street, Chestertown, MD.

Join us at Sumner Hall for a community celebration of African American authors!

The National African American Read-In is the nation’s oldest event dedicated to diversity in literature. It was established in 1990 by the Black Caucus of the National Council of Teachers of English in order to make literacy a significant part of Black History Month.

Kent County's African American Read-In event is an interactive, multi-generational program that celebrates African American authors, literacy, reading, and diversity in literature through readings shared by members of the community. 

You are welcome to come to be a part of the audience. You are also invited to step up to the mic and participate as a reader by sharing a piece of writing by an African American author that holds meaning for you. If you are an African American author, we invite you to share a selection from your own writing.

Readings may include short essays, passages from novels, poetry, children's books, or other types of writing. If you are interested in reading, we encourage you to choose a selection that resonates on a personal level and to practice reading it out loud ahead of time. Please choose pieces that take no more than 2-4 minutes to read out loud – we want to have time for as many readers as possible! If you would like to be a reader and aren't sure what to read, KCPL library staff are happy to help you find a selection of writings by African American authors.

Celebration of visual literacy is also welcome! If there is a piece of art, photography, or other visual medium created by an African American artist that you would like to share, you are welcome to use your 2-4 minute reading slot to share your interpretation of the piece and share its meaning for you.

Schedule of Events

5-5:45pm
Stories for children and the young at heart.  Family-friendly.  All ages welcome.

5:45-6:15pm
A quick break for a light dinner.

6:15-7pm
Readings will be drawn from young adult and adult literature.  Mature themes may be included.

Co-sponsored by Sumner Hall; Washington College Department of Education; Washington College Black Studies Program; Starr Center for the Study of the American Experience at Washington College; Chesapeake Heartland: An African American Humanities Project; and Kent County Public Library.