UNI celebrates African-American culture through literature

The 2014 African-American Read-In marks the eighth year the University of Northern Iowa will host this popular event.

The Read-In is a special community outreach project that encourages the youth of the Cedar Valley to learn more about the history and culture of African-Americans. Members of UNI's Multicultural Teaching Alliance, students from education classes and student organizations, and faculty and staff representing many divisions across campus volunteer their time to support the event every year.

Future teachers are actively involved in the Read-In, which directly focuses on literacy, literature, authors and illustrators. Each year, elementary students listen to celebrity readers, engage in activities and spend time with children from neighboring schools.

"It is our hope that helping children learn about African-American authors and illustrators will help them begin to also realize that African-Americans contribute greatly to education and to the books read in classrooms all over the world," said Gloria Kirkland-Holmes, associate professor of early childhood education. "This also gives African-American children a great opportunity to see and learn of the positive images portrayed in literature. Children of various backgrounds are able to learn how African-Americans have contributed to each of our lives."

The 2014 African-American Read-In is from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 27, in the Maucker Union and Rod Library.

This year's Read-In will feature:

• Sesame Street's Elmo
• Kadir Nelson, award-winning author and illustrator
• Nothando Zulu, performance artist

News & Events

UNI will host UNI Day at the Statehouse from 1 to 3 p.m., Monday, Feb. 24, at the Iowa Capitol in Des Moines. The event will highlight UNI programs and inform legislators about the impact UNI has on the state. You can also join UNI alumni and friends for a reception at the State Historical Building from 5 to 7 p.m.