Literary arts program toasts 20 years of reading, writing
Reading isn’t just about fitting the ABCs into words. It’s also about using those words to expand and empower the mind and create a brighter future.
For 20 years, Say It Loud! founder Patrick M. Oliver has worked with schools and communities to get that message across.
The organization’s purpose isn’t so much about literacy as it is about literary arts.
“We create community literary events to get people excited about literature, the power of reading,” Oliver explains. “Our focus is to get young people and adults excited about books.”
They sponsor book clubs, performances, poetry events, arts and crafts and school programs. Now Say It Loud! is welcoming its 20th birthday with a weekend of activities designed to celebrate its successes and help share and expand its mission.
Oliver says, “We hope the community will come and find out about how they can engage young people in activities and meet individuals like authors who can give testimonials about their success with literature.”
At noon today, Oliver will host his Literary Nation Talk Radio radio program at a local elementary school. He’ll interview an author and then the school’s children will have the chance to ask questions: “I tell the school in advance who the author will be and the kids do research with their teacher.”
Then, 6-7 p.m., Tami Hendrix will present “Learning Through the Breakbeat: Literacy, Hip Hop and Its Transference to Lifelong Learning” at Little Rock Central High National Historic Site Museum, 1315 S. Park St., Little Rock.
On Friday, the Mosaic Templars Cultural Center, 501 W. Ninth St., Little Rock, will host a Lunch and Learn Series panel discussion, noon-1 p.m.
But it’s on Saturday that the majority of activities will take place, all at the Rufus K. Young Christian Center, 2223 S. Main St., Little Rock.
Starting at 9 a.m., there will be panel discussions with participants’ parents, media representatives and nowgrown former participants.
“They’ll be sharing about their experiences with Say It Loud! and how it’s helped with their careers,” Oliver says.
The arts and crafts pavilion will give children a chance to have hands-on fun making books.
Book club discussions, a Literary Cafe with a chance to meet and talk to authors, musical performances, writing workshops and an Arkansas Black History Quiz Bowl round out the activities.
The main focus, Oliver says, is to attract and engage the whole family and show people the value of reading and community literary arts programs. “It’s an important celebration. … We feel like literacy and literature is a gateway to success.”