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Janaka Bowman Lewis, Ph.D., will discuss “Gender and Genius in Black Women’s Writing” in a February 24 virtual presentation sponsored by the Gaston College Multicultural Affairs Committee. The presentation focuses on some Black women writers whose works are relevant and includes commentary on Black womanhood in our society.
Dr. Lewis is Associate Professor of English and Founding Director of the Women’s and Gender Studies Program at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. Her areas of research interest include African American literature of the 19th century and African American women’s writing. She is the author of “Freedom Narratives of African American Women,” wrote the children’s books “Brown All Over,” and “Bold Nia Marie Passes the Test,” and co-authored “Dr. King Is Tired, Too!!” with Mac A. Bowman, M.D. She has written widely on Black womanhood, girlhood and material culture.
“From Phillis Wheatley, the first Black woman poet to publish a book, to the recent commemoration of MacArthur-designated Genius Fellows Claudia Rankine, Jesmyn Ward, Saidiya Hartman, N.K. Jemisin, and Tressie McMillan Cottom, we will discuss ideas around Black women and genius as found in select texts written by Black women writers,” said Lewis. “The conversation will explore questions of how these authors use genre to speak across a range of experiences and what we find relevant and timely in their work as commentary on Black womanhood in society.”
“Janaka Lewis was recently included in the ‘Charlotte 40 Under 40’ list, recognizing her as one of the movers and shakers in this region,” said Hisayo Tokura-Gallo, Psychology Instructor and host of this MAC presentation. “She is a powerful and effective speaker. She will be presenting Black women's literature in Black History month and close to women's month – which is March – so she was a great fit for our MAC programming.”
For additional information about the presentation, contact Hisayo Tokura-Gallo at tokura-gallo.hisayo@gaston.edu.
The virtual presentation, which celebrates Black History Month, can be accessed through Zoom.
Topic: Dr. Lewis Presentation
Time: Wednesday, February 24, 2021, at 2 p.m. Eastern time (U.S. and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting:
https://zoom.us/j/93233798132?pwd=dmNiZDVkeTNMVGhkRG0ySEdrZUFVUT09
Meeting ID: 932 3379 8132
Passcode: 576484
About the Gaston College Multicultural Committee
The mission of the Gaston College Multicultural Affairs Committee (MAC) is to develop and deliver an array of activities to expose the Gaston College community to diverse cultures. MAC presents a variety of programming on the Gaston College campus throughout the school year. Programs include town hall meetings, movie events, seminars, and musical performances.
