African-American Read-In Friday at Florida Tech

MELBOURNE, FLA. — The sounds of change will be in the air as Florida Tech faculty, alumni and students and community leaders come together to celebrate Black literature, culture and music at the university’s 8th Annual African-American Read-In.

The event, sponsored by Florida Tech’s School of Arts and Communication and Evans Library, takes place from 6:30-8 p.m. Friday at the library. It is open to the public and free of charge.

Hosted by Letwan Sutton, a Florida Tech alumnus and former Black Student Union vice president, the Read-In will be the first in-person presentation of the community event since the COVID pandemic.

The event’s theme is “We Shall Not be Moved: Exploring Black Resistance in American Arts and Literature,” and the audience will hear readings from pieces by James Baldwin, Ta-Nehisi Coates and others, along with several musical performances.

Refreshments will be provided at intermission by Evans Community Center, providing an opportunity for the audience to eat and discuss the performances as they enjoy a curated playlist featuring historic music of Black resistance and protest.

University Archivist Anna Kephart Norris has created and compiled a webpage and Spotify playlist that explores the history of African American protest music through a lens of resistance.

For additional insight, the 2022 Read-In and its theme, “Giants Among Us: Recognizing Black History Luminaries in Brevard County and Beyond,” inspired a local history timeline compiled by Florida Tech historian Gordon Patterson with photos curated by instructor Rolanda Hatcher-Gallop. This historical timeline highlights significant events and key people in the development and growth of several areas of Brevard County.

You may view past African-American Read-Ins on the Evans Library YouTube channel.