A book fair with a twist, Geoffrey Owens’ performance of Shakespeare cap a weekend dedicated to Reading The Culture at The Lewis Museum

BALTIMORE, Md. (September 23, 2022) – The Reginald F. Lewis Museum of Maryland African American History and Culture (The Lewis Museum) will celebrate the importance of books and literature with two events continuing its Reading The Culture theme for the fall. On Saturday, September 24th, from 10 am to 4 pm, The Lewis Museum will host its Reading The Culture Reading As Resistance Book Fair. This Lewis Museum favorite with a twist will highlight the writings of Black, Indigenous, Latinx, Asian, and LGBTQ+ authors who are most likely to be banned and censored. The day includes panel discussions and signings with leading authors from the children’s book, young adult literature, and adult fiction and non-fiction genres. The Reading as Resistance Book Fair is made possible through the generous support of BGE.

The weekend concludes with And Now I Am Alone, a special one-day-only engagement with actor Geoffrey Owens’ performing the soliloquies and monologues of William Shakespeare on Sunday, September 25th at 2pm. Owens is best known for his portrayal of ‘Elvin’ on “The Cosby Show” and has recently been featured on HBO’s “Divorce” and CBS’ “Blue Bloods.”  The event benefits Beyond Rhetoric, a nonprofit supporting vulnerable children who are under the supervision of Maryland’s Department of Juvenile Services (DJS) by matching dynamic volunteers to at-risk youth through mentoring and leading educational, social, and artistic programs that build the emotional, social, and creative capacity of at-risk youth.

Both events are free and open to the public.

WHO:     

  • Terri Lee Freeman, Executive Director, Reginald F. Lewis Museum
  • Actor Geoffrey Owens
  • Derrick Barnes, author, Queen of Kindergarten and Victory. Stand!: Raising My Fist for Justice
  • W. Paul Coates, publisher, printer & activist
  • Heidi W. Durrow, author, The Girl Who Fell from the Sky
  • Lawrence Jackson, author, Shelter
  • Sarah Jung, author and illustrator, Our World of Dumplings and When Father Comes Home
  • Frank Morrison, illustrator, Kick Push and RESPECT: Aretha Franklin, The Queen of Soul
  • Olugbemisola Rhuday-Perkovich, author, Mae Makes a Way: The True Story of Mae Reeves, Hat and History Maker
  • Nic Stone, author, Dear Martin, Dear Justyce and Blackout: A Novel
  • R. Eric Thomas, author, Kings of B’More
  • A.J. Verdelle, author, Miss Chloe: A Memoir of a Literary Friendship with Toni Morrison
  • D. Watkins, author, Black Boy Smile
  • Carole Boston Weatherford, author, RESPECT: Aretha Franklin, The Queen of Soul
  • Bellen Woodard, author, More Than Peach: Changing the World … One Crayon at a Time!

WHAT:     Reading The Culture Reading As Resistance Book Fair, Saturday, September 24, 2022, 10 am to 4 pm

Click here to view the full event schedule.

And Now I Am Alone: Geoffrey Owens Shakespeare’s Soliloquies and Monologues
Sunday, September 25, 2022
2 pm to 4 pm

WHERE:  Reginald F. Lewis Museum, 830 E. Pratt Street, Baltimore, MD 21202

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About the Reginald F. Lewis Museum
Located two blocks from Inner Harbor in Downtown Baltimore, the Reginald F. Lewis Museum of Maryland African American History & Culture – a Smithsonian Affiliate – documents, interprets, and preserves the complex experiences, contributions, and culture of Black people. It serves as a catalyst of sustained change by providing robust programs and exhibitions and bold conversations that educate and challenge. Founded in 2005, the 82,000-square-foot facility accommodates over 13,000 square feet of permanent and temporary exhibition space, hosting more than 11,000 objects in our permanent collection, special exhibitions, educational programs, and public events. For up-to-date information regarding programs and exhibits and to plan your timed admission, visit www.lewismuseum.org, or follow us on Instagram and Twitter at @LewisMuseum or on Facebook @RFLewisMuseum.