Givens Black Books

In 2013, the Givens Foundation for African American Literature is hosting its third annual Givens Black Books, a community reading campaign that increases access to and engagement in the African American literary arts in the Twin Cities community.  Each year, Givens Black Books engages the community in celebrating the literary career and contributions of a notable African American author.  Past campaigns have celebrated the works of J. California Cooper and Walter Mosley.  In 2013, the works of fiction writer Jewell Parker Rhodes will be featured in a series of public book events, panel discussions, student residencies, school-wide reads, and community gatherings across the Twin Cities.  The campaign will culminate with a literary luncheon featuring Jewell Parker Rhodes on April 13th.

2013 Givens Black Books Author 

Jewell Parker Rhodes Dr. Jewell Parker Rhodes is the author of eight novels: Voodoo Dreams, Magic City, Douglass’ Women, Season, Moon, Hurricane, Ninth Ward, and the forthcoming, Sugar. She’s also written a memoir, Porch Stories: A Grandmother’s Guide to Happiness and two writing guides, Free Within Ourselves: Fiction Lessons for Black Authors, and The African American Guide to Writing and Publishing Non-Fiction.

Her literary honors include the American Book Award, the National Endowment of the Arts Award, the Black Caucus of the American Library Award for Literary Excellence, the PEN Oakland/Josephine Miles Award for Outstanding Writing, two Arizona Book Awards, a Barnes & Noble Discover Great New Authors selection, the Coretta Scott King Honor Book, a Parent’s Choice Gold Award, a School Library Journal Best Book of the Year, and a Today show Al’s Book Club for Kids pick, among others.  A staged reading of her play Voodoo Dreams, produced by the Institute for the Study of the Arts at Arizona State University, received a “Most Innovative Theater” award from the Arizona Republic.

Rhodes’s novels have been reprinted in Germany, France, Italy, Turkey, Korea, and the United Kingdom, and reproduced in audio, including, National Public Radio’s “Selected Shorts.”

Selected Works by Jewell Parker Rhodes

Voodoo Dreams (1995)

A mesmerizing combination of history, oral tradition, and storytelling, Rhodes' debut novel reimagines the American legend and voodoo queen, Marie Laveau in mid-nineteenth century New Orleans.

 Magic City (1998)

Based on true events, this story of a young man accused of rape is a fast-paced portrait of an era set in Tulsa, Oklahoma in 1921.

 Douglass’  Women (2003)

Frederick Douglass, the great African-American abolitionist, was a man who cherished freedom in life and in love.  This ambitious work of historical fiction, brings Douglass’ passions to life in the form of two women,  Anna Murray Douglass and Ottie Assing, who find solidarity in their shared love for Douglass and his vision for a free America.

 Ninth Ward (2012)

When Hurricane Katrina rips across the Gulf, Lanesha, an orphaned 12-year-old girl finds strength in the words and guidance of the midwife who delivered her in New Orleans’ Ninth Ward.

 

Calendar of Events

Please join us for one or all of these events! They are free and open to the public. Each event features one of the selected works by Jewell Parker Rhodes and is facilitated by a local scholar, storyteller or community member.

FREE and lending copies of the selected text are available at the Givens Foundation's Lyndale Office or at participating location while supplies last.

February

    • Feb. 5, 7:30p   Brooklyn Park Library Book Discussion
                               Book: Voodoo Dreams
    • Feb. 13, 6:00p  Pillsbury Oak Park Center Book Discussion
                                Book:  Magic City
    • Feb. 25, 7:00p  Magers & Quinn Book Discussion
                                Book:  Douglass' Women
    • Feb. 28, 6:00p  Rondo Community Book Discussion Panel
                                Book:  Voodoo Dreams,  Panel Moderator:  Davu Seru

March

    • Mar. 9,  2:00p   North Regional Library Book Discussion
                                Book: Voodoo Dreams
    • Mar. 12, 4:00p  Sumner Library Youth Book Discussion
                                 Book: Ninth Ward
    • Mar. 13, 6:00p  Black Men & Women Reading Book Discussion
                                 Book: Douglass' Women,   Location:  UMN UROC Rm 107
    • Mar. 20, 6:00p  Pillsbury Oak Park Center Book Discussion
                                 Book: Douglass' Women
    • Mar. 23, 2:00p  Sumner Library Book Discussion
                                 Book: Magic City
    • Mar. 25, 6:30p  Merriam Park Library Youth Book Discussion
                                 Book: Ninth Ward
    • Mar. 30, 1:00p  Magers & Quinn with NdCad Youth Book Discussion
                                 Book: Ninth Ward

April  

    • Apr. 6,   2:00p    North Regional Library Youth Book Discussion
                                  Book: Ninth Ward
    • Apr. 10, 6:00p    Black Men & Women Reading Book Discussion
                                  Book: Ninth Ward,  Location:  UMN UROC Rm 107
    • Apr. 12, 7:00p    Loft Mentor Series Reading: Jewell Parker Rhodes
                                  Location:  Open Book, Performance Hall
    • Apr. 13,  11:30a  Literary Luncheon w/ Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
                                  Featuring author Jewell Parker Rhodes at The Hilton Minneapolis/St. Paul Airport-MOA

                                  Luncheon tickets are $50. To purchase tickets email dstmsp@gmail.com.

Locations

Click on each location for map and directions:

Brooklyn Park Library Merriam Park Library
Givens Foundation Lyndale Office at Intermedia Arts Pillsbury Oak Park Center
Hilton Minneapolis/St. Paul Airport - Mall of America Rondo Community Outeach Library
North Regional Library Sumner Library
The Loft Literary Center UMN UROC
Magers & Quinn Booksellers

 

2013 Campaign Partners and Supporters