Poet Nikki Giovanni To Headline Virginia State University’s Second Triennial James Arthur Baldwin International Symposium (ST-JABIS | 2024) As Artist-In-Residence

The Second Triennial James Arthur Baldwin International Symposium is free and open to the public and will feature a historic lineup of iconic intellectuals and creatives in African American literature.

Virginia State University is excited to announce the details of its highly-anticipated Second Triennial James Arthur Baldwin International Symposium (ST-JABIS) to be held on October 24 – 26. This year's theme is "The (Un)Cowardly Lion w. the Unapologetically Clarion Voice." It will showcase scholars and artists from around the world, most notably the iconic poet and author Nikki Giovanni.

Giovanni is currently a Distinguished Emerita Professor at Virginia Tech University. She has received numerous awards during her career, including the 2022 Ruth Lilly Poetry Prize, the inaugural Rosa L. Parks Woman of Courage Award, the American Book Award, the Langston Hughes Award, the Virginia Governor's Award for the Arts, the Emily Couric Leadership Award, a Literary Excellence Award. Giovanni is also a seven-time recipient of the NAACP Image Award.

The 2024 ST-JABIS will be held at two venues: the Petersburg Public Library's Conference and Event Center on days one and two and VSU's Gateway Event Center on day three.

Each day will feature iconic intellectuals and creatives in African American literature, including Giovanni, Dr. Molefi Kete Asante, Professor and Chair of Temple University's storied Department of Africology and African American Studies, and Father of Afrocentricity and Dr. Maulana Karenga, creator of the Pan-African and African-American holiday of Kwanzaa and Professor and Chair for the Department of Africana Studies at California State University, Long Beach, Award-Winning Filmmaker, author, and Morgan State University associate professor MK Asante, and more.

Additionally, the nephew of James Arthur Baldwin, Daniel Jason Baldwin, will be in attendance to deliver a Baldwin Family Centennial Reflection. The University is honored to welcome such an esteemed list of guests to celebrate one of the most influential African American writers, social critics, and civil rights activists.

"Baldwin's body of work stands out in the literary canon as one of the most sublime, prolific, and imposing of the 20th century,” said Dr. Pamela D. Reed, Professor of English, Founding Executive Director of the James Arthur Baldwin Africologic Institute (JABAI), and Convenor of ST-JABIS. Thus, his works and words are closely examined to pinpoint recurring themes and motifs that, even now, more than three decades since his passing, continue to resonate with – and inspire – generations of thinkers and scholars. As such, his oeuvre has become a mainstay in the canons of both American and World Literature."

During this three-day celebration, attendees can look forward to readings of James Arthur Baldwin's essays, poems, short stories, and plays. There will also be roundtables and keynote speakers discussing Baldwin's legacy and impact, guided tours, a screening of the classic documentary James Baldwin: The Price of the Ticket, and special presentations.

The 2024 ST-JABIS is guaranteed to do justice in honoring such a prominent figure in African American history. It is free and open to the public.

"This event not only celebrates the profound legacy of one of the most influential literary and cultural figures of the 20th century but also provides an invaluable space for thought-provoking discourse, reflection, and collaboration among scholars, students, and the community at large," said Dr. Tia A. Minnis, VSU Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs.

Additional information about the Second Triennial James Arthur Baldwin International Symposium, including the complete list of confirmed presenters, lodging options, event details, and more, can be found on the event's official webpage.