By sharing both passages from books and pieces of life experiences, five members of St. Mary’s College of Maryland faculty and staff inspired students at Great Mills High School during the African American Read-In on Friday, Feb. 9.
Volunteer readers from the St. Mary’s County community visited classes and read from Black authors' literature that holds special importance to them. Volunteers throughout the day also spoke with students about their respective journeys in life, education and career.
Nine community members and six St. Mary’s County Public School employees joined in the event. Readers from St. Mary’s College were Jerri Howland, PhD, vice president for student affairs; Derek Rovaris, PhD, vice president for equity and strategic initiatives; Garrey Dennie, PhD, associate professor of history; Jeff Coleman, PhD, professor of English; and Felix Martinez, PhD, director of public safety.
The Read-In was one of many similar events taking place in February throughout the United States. Created in 1990 by the Black Caucus of the National Council of Teachers of English, the National African American Read-In encourages the community to make literacy a significant part of Black History Month by hosting African American Read-Ins.
This is the second year that St. Mary’s College has participated.
