Oglethorpe University has selected Pulitzer Prize-winning poet and writer Jericho Brown to headline “Oglethorpe Out Loud,” an annual spoken-word event that highlights contemporary creative voices.
This year’s event will be held March 19 at 6:30 p.m. in Oglethorpe University’s historic Philip Weltner Library. Inviting students, community members and fans of the written word, “Oglethorpe Out Loud” annually celebrates the connective forces of creative expression through a live reading performance from an accomplished writer or poet. The event is free and open to the public.
“I think everyone loves some poetry,” says Brown. “There are some few words strung together the people use and need and love to recite. So I’m expecting the entire Oglethorpe community will be looking for the series of words I’ll say that can be used, that can fill a need, they might always be remembered. And when we look for something, we always find it in one form or another.”
As a featured artist, Brown will read excerpts from his work. His writing has explored themes of race, sexuality, masculinity, and identity among others. In 2020, Brown was the recipient of the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry for his poetry collection “The Tradition,” which interrogates the way our society has become increasingly accustomed to violence. In it, he employs a proprietary poetic form known as “the duplex,” which combines elements of sonnets, the ghazal and the blues.
Brown will also visit classes, have lunch with creative writing students and meet with the community following his performance to provide professional insights.
“Jericho’s creation of the ‘duplex’ underscores what a benison he is to the national poetry scene, and his recent worthy recognition of a MacArthur Fellowship highlights just how he continues to challenge and push poetry’s boundaries,” says Justin Haynes, associate professor of English. “He is a mature poet in full flight, and I am pleased that students will get a chance to experience both his joy and cautious optimism.”
Each year, Oglethorpe University’s English and Comparative Literature department helps organize “Oglethorpe Out Loud,” with a Creative Writing faculty member tapped to identify the featured speaker. Dr. Haynes helped select Jericho Brown for this year’s event.
Now in its third year, “Oglethorpe Out Loud” has helped increase students’ – and the broader Atlanta community’s – exposure to contemporary voices in literature and poetry. Past featured artists include Oglethorpe alumna Aline Mello ’12 and 2021 State Poet of New York Willie Perdomo.
“Oglethorpe Out Loud” was established through the generosity of dedicated Oglethorpe alumna Leah Hughes ’88. As the event continues to draw audiences in to celebrate creative expression, she hopes “Oglethorpe Out Loud” will provide the next generation of young authors at the university a chance to make connections and renew their vigor for creating art that makes an impact.
