Episode # 90

Remembering Toni Morrison

When’s the last time you had a Toni Morrison book read to you? Like, by Margaret Atwood, Tayari Jones (An American Marriage), Brit Bennett (The Vanishing Half), and more?

We are beyond thrilled to highlight a fantastic event put on by Literacy Partners - a Thanksgiving weekend reading of Toni Morrison’s Song of Solomon, which is just as relevant now as it was back in 1977.

Questions? Comments? Contact us at hello@dearwhitewomen.com

“Like any true work of art, Song of Solomon feels more relevant than ever.” - Jordan Pavlin
“The language in Song of Solomon is so powerful and the many times I have read it, I literally have to put it down to take a moment and re-read a sentence or a paragraph because it’s so meaningful.” - Allison Sciplin

How do you log in?

Visit ticketing page: https://litpartners2020.org/toni-morrison/
Click GET TICKETS NOW

Pop-Up page Click Link: PROMO CODE (Upper Left/ Light blue)
Enter Code DWW2020 and the price should zero-out.
Page down to: Suggested Donation Options: $5.00 or $20.00 w/ book bundle or $0.00

What to listen for:

Why Literacy Partners chose Song of Solomon as the book to read
How the authors reacted when they were asked to take the time to read a chapter aloud
Who they hope to reach, and what they hope to see come out of this project

About Literacy Partners:

Literacy Partners strengthens families through a two generation approach to education. With our free classes, community workshops, and educational media, low-income and immigrant parents and caregivers develop literacy and language skills they need to succeed in today’s world. Our research-based programs incorporate child development and parenting support to help parents and caregivers boost children’s early reading, social emotional growth, and school readiness. Designed to arm every parent and caregiver with the necessary tools they need to create success for themselves and a better future for the children in their care, Literacy Partners’ programs break the cycle of poverty, improve job prospects, and close the achievement gap for children before they even begin school.

About our interviewees:

Jordan Pavlin is Senior Vice President and Editorial Director at Knopf. Authors with whom she is currently working include Susan Minot, Dinaw Mengestu, Ethan Hawke, Karen Russell, Maggie Shipstead, Ayana Mathis, Julie Orringer, Nathan Englander, Yaa Gyasi, Tommy Orange, Megha Majumdar, Amity Gaige, Jhumpa Lahiri and Kazuo Ishiguro.

Allison Sciplin, Director of Special Events and Annual Giving. From an early age, Allison has possessed a great love for reading and books. She often travels to small towns and scours used bookstores, looking for unique and little-known books by African American authors. It is a fitting pastime for Allison, who still owns her first picture book, by Langston Hughes. Allison grew up immersed in a world of the arts and books in her home state of Ohio. A former educator and dancer with an MFA in theater, she transitioned into fundraising after a first career in arts programming. Prior to Literacy Partners, she worked for the Primary Care Development Corporation and Bank Street College of Education. Through her work at Literacy Partners, Allison says, she hopes others will fall in love with reading and books, just as she did.

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