As part of the NEA Big Read: Cape Fear, UNCW’s Office of the Arts and Randall Library are hosting a collaborative, year-long effort to promote literacy in Wilmington and the broader Cape Fear region. Programming for the NEA Big Read: Cape Fear spans three counties and includes community book reads, discussions, family-friendly events, book clubs, teacher training, performances, story times, and art festivals that focus their efforts on Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi and other companion titles.
To see a list of NEA Big Read events happening across the Cape Fear, visit UNCW's Office of the Arts. Be sure to check out the NEA Big Read Subject Guide for other titles by Yaa Gyasi, companion titles, and supplemental resources.
NEA Big Read is a program of the National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with Arts Midwest. The National Endowment for the Arts Big Read is designed to broaden our understanding of our world, our communities, and ourselves through the joy of sharing a good book. UNCW is one of 70+ nonprofit organizations to receive a grant to host an NEA Big Read project. The NEA Big Read: Cape Fear was made possible by our community sponsors which include the Brunswick Arts Council and the Arts Council of Wilmington and New Hanover County.
COMMUNITY PARTNERS:UNCW Office of the Arts, UNCW Randall Library, Arts Council of Wilmington & New Hanover County, Brunswick Arts Council, Cameron Art Museum, Cape Fear Community College, Cape Fear Literacy Council, Cape Fear Museum of History and Science, DC Virgo Preparatory Academy, The Harrelson Center, International School at Gregory, Isaac Bear Early College, NC Project Lead, Inc., New Hanover County Public Library, New Hanover County Schools, Pender County Library, UNCW Centro Hispano, UNCW Department of Creative Writing, UNCW Department of English, UNCW Department of World Languages and Cultures, UNCW Gender Studies & Research Center, UNCW Honors College, UNCW Watson College of Education, WHQR Public Media, Working Films, YWCA Lower Cape Fear
African American Read-In 2023: "AMPLIFYING BLACK voices! It is IMPORTANT for ALL OF US TO SEE OURSELVES in books"
Join in the celebration as we come together to bring awareness and to amplify Black voices in literature and forms of artistic expression at the 2023 African American Read-In (AARI) on Tuesday, February 21 at 5:30 pm in the Education Building, Room 162. This event is sponsored by Randall Library, Watson College of Education, and English Department. Selections from this year's NEA Big Read title, Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi will be read. Learn more about the African American Read-In or sign up to read at the event, at: https://library.uncw.edu/news/african_american_read_in_2023
NEA Big Read Homegoing Panel Discussion and Ghanian Cultural Celebration
In celebration of the 2022-23 NEA Big Read selection, Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi, Randall Library invites you to the Homegoing Panel Discussion and Ghanian Cultural Celebration on Tuesday, March 21, at 5 pm in the Sherman Hayes Gallery. The panel discussion will explore various themes from the text, accompanied by a cultural celebration, which will include a Ghanian book display, exhibit, storytelling, and more. This event is brought to you in collaboration with UNCW Faculty and Randall Library.
FlashLIT Celebration Reception
Come support our student authors and artists on Thursday, April 20 at 5:30 pm in the Sherman Hayes Gallery for the 2023 FlashLIT celebration, reading, and reception! The event will include readings from the top winners, free books, and great food! This year's FlashLIT theme is GENERATIONS. Theme was inspired by the selection of Yaa Gyasi’s bookHomegoing as the NEA Big Read book for this academic year. This event is sponsored by Randall Library. Learn more about Randall Library's annual student writing contest at: https://library.uncw.edu/news/flashlit_2023