We open our festival with this afternoon tribute to the words and works of this prolific author and activist.

We’ll screen the insightful documentary, James Baldwin: The Price of the Ticket, featuring interviews with Maya Angelou, Amiri Baraka and Baldwin himself. An evocative tap dance set to Baldwin’s own words will be performed, and we’ll hear from panelists on Baldwin’s legacy and impact, then and now.

Performance:

“James” presented by dancer, choreographer, actor, and educator joseph webb; accompanied by drummer, Keith Butler, Jr.

Panelists:

Karen Thorsen, filmmaker
Dr. Frank Leon Roberts, Associate Professor, English and Black Studies, Amherst University
Cree Myles, Influencer and curator/host of Penguin Random House’s podcast, All Ways Black.

Moderator:

Rex Nash, Pre-doctoral student, Literature, Howard University