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Sumter, SC (November 6, 2009). The AJBM Literary Foundation (www.artheniambates.com), in association with the University of South
Carolina College of Education, Morris College, Sumter County African American Cultural Society, and the Sumter County Cultural Commission,
announced the second Annual Millican Festival will be held on February 12 and 13, 2010, in Sumter and Columbia, South Carolina. The
festival honors the contributions and legacy of author, poet and Sumter native Arthenia Jackson Bates Millican. Last year’s celebration
featured poet Sonia Sanchez, and brought together hundreds of participants to learn about and be inspired by Dr. Millican’s work.
This year’s theme is Beat to Hip: Bridging Generations. The two-day event will feature literary giants spanning generations. Highlights
of the festival will include the following presenters:
- February 12, 11:00 a.m. Jerry W. Ward, Jr. will lead an interactive discussion on "Bridging Generations: A Dialectic between Richard
Wright and Kevin Powell." Dr. Ward, a leading Richard Wright scholar, is Distinguished Professor of English at Dillard University, New
Orleans. He recently published The Katrina Papers: A Journal of Trauma and Recovery. He is a widely published poet, editor, and literary
critic. Jerry has edited several collections of African American poetry and literature. The event is free and open to the public. Location:
Morris College, Sumter, SC.
- February 12, 7 p.m. Amiri Baraka (LeRoi Jones) will headline the kick-off event in Columbia. Mr. Baraka is an internationally recognized poet,
playwright, political activist and leading authority on African American music. He is the author of over 40 books and founder of the Black Arts
Movement. He has presented poetry and lectured extensively across the United States and internationally. The event is free and open to the public.
A VIP Sponsors’ Reception will precede the event at 6 p.m. Location: USC Columbia.
- February 13, 7 p.m. The main event will feature a keynote presentation by Mr. Baraka. It will also include a reading by South Carolina’s Poet
Laureate, Marjory Wentworth. Ms. Wentworth’s poems have appeared in numerous books and magazines and she is author of the poetry collections
Noticing Eden and Despite Gravity. The event is free and open to the public. A VIP Sponsors’ Reception will be held at 6 pm. Location: Patriots
Hall Performing Arts Center, Sumter, SC.
“The Millican Literary Festival is an opportunity to learn, explore and grow with some of the greatest artistic minds of our time,” said Rick Jones,
Executive Director of The AJBM Foundation. “It is our hope that participants will gain a passion for literary and arts excellence that will bridge
generations. It is our vision that the legacy will grow and give back for generations to come,” added Jones.
About The AJBM Foundation: The Foundation was established in 2008 to recognize and preserve the contributions and legacy of Arthenia Jackson Bates
Millican. Dr. Millican is a poet, writer, essayist, educator, and a native of Sumter, SC. The Foundation’s goals include building a foundation of
literary, and arts and culture appreciation across generations.
Contact for performance opportunities, booth availability, media queries or information on becoming a sponsor:
Richard "Rick" Jones, Executive Director, the AJBM Literary Foundation
Email: AJBMFoundation@live.com Phone: 704-576-2910
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