The African American Read-in, co-sponsored by Monmouth University and West Side Christian Academy in Asbury Park, will be held at Monmouth University on February 4 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. The African American Read-In celebrates African-American authors and their works. This year’s event focuses on literature written by African-American authors for children and teens. Local mayors, community leaders, and children from local schools will read throughout the day.
Walter Dean Myers, the National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature 2012-2013 and a renowned author of books for young people, is the keynote speaker for this year’s event. He will read from his books at 11 a.m. Myers is a five-time winner of the Coretta Scott King Award and has received two Newbery Honors.
Walter Dean Myers boasts more than 100 published books, including The New York Times best-seller “Monster,” the first winner of the Michael L. Printz Award, a National Book Award Finalist and a Coretta Scott King Honor Book. He is the recipient of the Margaret A. Edwards Award for lifetime achievement in writing for young adults and in 2009 delivered the May Hill Arbuthnot Honor Lecture, a distinction reserved for an individual who has made significant contributions to the field of children’s literature. He is among today’s most-honored authors. Myers grew up in Harlem, which is the setting for many of his books, and currently resides in Jersey City, N.J.
The position of National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature was created to raise national awareness of the importance of young people’s literature as it relates to lifelong literacy, education, and the development and betterment of the lives of young people.
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SCHEDULE
9:00 Welcome: Mercy Azeke, Dean, Center for Student Success, Monmouth University; Jeffrey Jackson, Coordinator, West Side Christian Academy
9:15 a.m. Mayor Pat Menna (Red Bank)
9:25 a.m. Red Bank student
9:30 a.m. Senator Joseph Kyrillos
9:45 a.m. Congressman Frank Pallone
9:55 a.m. Monmouth University student Alysha Womak
10:00 a.m. Community Reader
10:10 a.m. Asbury Park Honors student
10:15 a.m. Dr. Mary Lee Bass, Monmouth University School of Education
10:30 a.m. Monmouth County Freeholder Deputy Director Serena DiMaso
10:40 a.m. Long Branch student
10:45 a.m. Monmouth University basketball players
10:55 a.m. Red Bank student
11:00 a.m. National Ambassador, Walter Dean Myers
11:30 a.m. Basileus Matthew Stevens (Omega Psi Phi)
11:35 a.m. Long Branch student
11:45 a.m. Pastor Michael Chance
Noon Mayor Ed Johnson (Asbury Park)
12:10 p.m. Asbury Park Honors student
12:15 p.m. Assemblywoman Mary Pat Angelini
12:25 p.m. Red Bank student
12:40 p.m. Long Branch student
12:45 p.m. Mayor Eric Houghtaling (Neptune)
1:00 p.m. Dr. Abha Pate, Monmouth University Department of English
1:10 p.m. Asbury Park Honors student
1:15 p.m. Dr. Robin Mama, dean of the Monmouth University School of Social Work
1:30 p.m. Dr. Thomas Pearson, provost, Monmouth University
1:45 p.m. Closing Remarks