"African American Literature Today"

March 27, 2009 -- Three prominent writers will examine "African American Literature Today" at 4 p.m. Wednesday, April 15, in Hurst Lounge.

The discussion — sponsored by the African & African-American Studies Program and by the Center for the Humanities, both in Arts & Sciences — will focus on a pair of new anthologies, Best African American Essays 2009 and Best African American Fiction 2009, both published by Bantam Books.

Panelists will include series editor Gerald Early, director of the Center for the Humanities and Merle Kling Professor of Modern Letters in the Department of English in Arts & Sciences. Early will discuss the creation of the new volumes, which will be published annually.

Essayist and St. Louis native Debra J. Dickerson will speak on her role as guest editor of the Essays volume. Amina Gautier, 2008-09 postdoctoral fellow in English and African & African American Studies as well as an assistant professor at Saint Joseph's University, will read her short story, "Dance for Me," which was included in the Fiction volume by guest editor E. Lynne Harris.

"We expect this will be a compelling and varied presentation about the current state of African American literature," Early explains, "helping the public to understand why an on-going anthology series such as this can help strengthen the presence of black literature in the marketplace and in the academy."

"African American Literature Today" is free and open to the public, though RSVPs are requested. Refreshments will be provided. Hurst Lounge is located in Room 201, Duncker Hall, at the northwest corner of Brookings Quadrangle, near the intersection of Brookings and Hoyt drives.

For more information or to request a free parking sticker, call (314) 935-5576.