#Harper200 National Read-a-thon: Arizona Reads Harper!
You are cordially invited to the Arizona launch of the #Harper200 National Read-a-thon - join us as we celebrate Frances E. W. Harper in celebration of her 200th birthday! At this three-hour event, the Tucson community is invited to dive into a treasure trove of writing by this fearless advocate for Civil Rights who was the most beloved Black poet and the most prolific Black novelist of her time.
We invite individuals, classes, and organizations to join a virtual collective convened by Penn State University's Center for Black Digital Research/#DigBlk over a year of reading in community. Through guest readings, panels, short screenings, pop-up installations and more, a multicultural Borderlands community will collectively broadcast her words from her century to ours.
Join us anytime between 2pm and 4:30 pm at our two Student Union locations. We will begin with a tour of the African-American Museum of Southern Arizona [map] then proceed to the University of Arizona Campus Store's Community Engagement Center in the downstairs events space (to the right of the stairs, [map]) from 3pm for readings and engagement. See a complete schedule of the afternoon below.
This event is hosted in collaboration with the College of Humanities, the African American Museum of Southern Arizona, the University Libraries, the Campus Store and the Center for Black Digital Research/#DigBlk. To learn more about Frances Harper, please see the Frances Ellen Watkins Harper at 200 website.
“We are all bound up together in one great bundle of humanity, and society cannot trample on the weakest and feeblest of its members without receiving the curse in its own soul.”
Frances Ellen Watkins Harper, 1866
- Date:
- Friday, April 18, 2025
- Time:
- 2:00pm - 4:30pm
- Location:
- Student Union
- Categories:
- Drop-In Events Exhibit Lecture/talk
Registration has closed.
Schedule of events
2:00-2:45 p.m. at the African American Museum of Southern Arizona. The Museum is located on the Campus of the University of Arizona, Student Union Room 244 @ 1303 E University Blvd room 244, Tucson, AZ 85719 [map]
Our program begins with a tour of the African American Museum of Southern Arizona and readings from Frances E. W. Harper’s speeches by community and campus members. Facilitated by Beverly Elliot, Executive Director, African American Museum of Southern Arizona.
3:00-4:30 pm, join us at the UArizona Campus Store Community Engagement Center for readings and panelists. The UArizona Campus Store Community Engagement Center is located downstairs (to the right of the stairs). Find the Campus Store at the University of Arizona on 1209 E University Blvd, Tucson, AZ 85721 [map].
- Readings from Iola Leroy: Shadows Uplifted (1892) by community and campus members, accompanied by screenings of selected films from Dear Iola, Love South LA with the African American Museum of Southern Arizona. Facilitated by Dr. Jacqueline Jean Barrios, Public and Applied Humanities
- Readings from Harper’s poems and a panel discussion with community and campus members.
Parking information: The closest parking to the student union is the Second Street Garage located at 1390 E 2nd St, Tucson, AZ 85719 [map]. For rates, hours and more information about visitor parking at the University, please visit UArizona Parking and Transportation services here.