• By Tony McCloud
• Posted Thursday, January 11, 2024

Two Library branches to host African American Read In events

African American Read-In
Malloy/Jordan East Winston Heritage Center, Thursday, Feb. 1 (11 a.m.-1 p.m.)
Forsyth County Central Library Auditorium, Saturday, Feb. 17 (2-3 p.m.)

The National African American Read-In was established in 1990 by the Black Caucus of the National County of Teachers of English to make literacy a significant part of Black History Month. In 34 years, more than 6 million people have participated in the Read-In around the world. In 2024, two events at Forsyth County Public Library locations will add to that number and that impact.

Malloy/Jordan East Winston Heritage Center will kick off Black History Month with its African American Read-In on Thursday, Feb. 1. Family-friendly selections by African American authors and poets will be read between 11 and 11:30 a.m., and materials more appropriate for adult ears will be shared between 11:45 a.m. and 1 p.m. both sessions' selections should be limited to 3 minutes. Call the Malloy/Jordan branch at 336-703-2950 to register and sign up for a time slot.

The African American Read-In Chain at Forsyth County Central Library on Saturday, Feb. 17 will feature 3-minute selections from fiction, nonfiction, poetry, plays and sermons by local or national writers that participants will read in quick succession. Winston-Salem State's Dr. Elwanda Ingram will facilitate The Central Library's Read-In Chain. Register to read by contacting Tony McCloud by email at (mcclouad@forsyth.cc) by Monday, Feb. 12 .

All Forsyth County Public Library programs are free and open to the public.