The University of New Mexico

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Media Contacts: Sari Krosinsky, (505) 277-1593, michal@unm.edu
Jazmen Bradford, jazbradford@gmail.com

January 20, 2009

UNM Africana Studies Presents ‘Black Women Authors’ Feb. 28

The UNM Africana Studies Department presents “Black Women Authors, Black Women’s Lives” on Saturday, Feb. 28 at 4 p.m. in the Student Union Building, ballroom B.

Serving as the closing for Black History Month as well as the kick-off for Women’s History Month, the event features performances from bestselling author Kimberly Lawson Roby, poet Evie Shockley and playwright/author Karen Jones Meadows.

Roby is the bestselling author of “The Best Kept Secret,” “Behind Closed Doors,” “Casting the First Stone” and many more. Her books have tackled many women’s issues including single motherhood, infertility, sibling rivalry, domestic violence, sexual abuse and gender discrimination in the workplace.

Shockley’s poetry books include “half-red sea” and“The Gorgon Goddess.” Her work has been included in “Dark Matter: A Century of Speculative Fiction from the African Diaspora,” “Rainbow Darkness: An Anthology of African American Poetry” and others. She explores African American literature, American poetry and poetics and gender and critical race studies.

Meadows is the author of several award-winning plays such as “Harriet’s Return,” “Henrietta,” “Major Changes” and “Tapman.” She also conducts interactive seminars exploring the dramatic impact of any creative writing form as a means to heal the spirit, mind, emotions and physical expression of the author and audience.

“Black Women Authors, Black Women’s Lives” also includes a roundtable discussion about women’s issues in the African American community moderated by Sherri Burr, acting director of Africana Studies, a presentation on “New Mexican African American Women Legends” and a reception and book signing.

Tickets are $25 for adults or $10 for UNM students and are available at unmtickets.com or by calling (877) 664-8661 or (505) 925-5858.

The event is co-sponsored by UNM African American Student Services, Women Studies, Women's Resource Center, College of Fine Arts, College of Arts and Sciences, School of Law and Breast Cancer Resource Center.

For more information, contact Africana Studies at (505) 277-5644 or afamstds@unm.edu or visit http://www.unm.edu/~afamstds.