Collegiate Black Men as Forgotten Readers Exhibit

On August 27 and 28, we hosted our exhibit "Forgotten Readers," highlighting the reading journeys of first-year collegiate Black men. Framed by Elizabeth McHenry’s call to “look in new directions," the exhibit challenged the habit of overlooking reading identities among African Americans. 

The panels focused some observations I gained from teaching a literature course that enrolled African American men since 2004. The panels focused on reading Frederick Douglass and Colson Whitehead, becoming verse decoders, and listening to Malcolm X. 

Related:

• Public Programming Fall 2025