This year’s theme, Fine Fury: Celebrating Gwendolyn Brooks at 90, underscores the conference focus on literary artists who, like Ms. Brooks, use their pen as a tool of activism. Ms. Brooks, Illinois’ former poet laureate, would have celebrated her 90th birthday on June 7, 2007. Dr. Donda West, Sonia Sanchez and Martín Espada are joined by other prolific writers and poets of the African Diaspora as part of the 17th Annual Gwendolyn Brooks Writers’ Conference.

This first panel of the day offered conference attendees the opportunity to hear discussion about today’s media issues by media professionals.  Listen in as Cheryl Corley, reporter for National Public Radio, William E. Cox, President and CEO of Diverse Issues in Higher Education, and Dr. Brenda E. Aghahowa, Chair of English and professor in the Department of Communications, Media Arts and Theater at Chicago State University, share their perspectives on recent events in the media.

Events recorded as part of this conference:
The Landscape of Today’s Media
The State of Black Theater
Hip Hop & Social Justice
Keynote Address: Dr. Donda West
Gwendolyn Brooks Panel
A Giant’s Day Celebration of the Life and Works of Sonia Sanchez
Sister Poets In The Black Arts Movement
Conversation with Sonia Sanchez and Haki Madhubuti
Giant’s Day Address

Recorded Wednesday, October 17, 2007 at Chicago State University.