Prison Poet Randall Horton To Read At Una

Jan. 15, 2016

Michelle Eubanks, UNA, at media@36837a.com, 256.765.4392 or 256.606.2033

Dr. Cynthia Burkhead, UNA Dept. of English

FLORENCE, Ala. - The University of North Alabama and the Florence Lauderdale Public Library will host poet Randall Horton for two readings, Wednesday, Feb. 3.

Horton is a Birmingham native whose experiences in prison inform much of his work. His awards include the Gwendolyn Brooks Poetry Award, the Bea Gonzalez Poetry Award and a National Endowment for the Arts Fellowship in Literature. Horton is an Associate Professor at the University of New Haven. He is a fellow of Cave Canem and a member of the Affrilachian Poets, two organizations that support African American poetry; and a member of the Symphony: The House That Etheridge Built, a group named for the poet Etheridge Knight. He also serves on the Board of Directors for Pen America's Pen Prison Writing Program.

In addition to his award winning poetry, Horton will be reading from his new memoir, Hook. The readings will take place at 11 a.m., in the Wesleyan Auditorium on the UNA Campus and at 6 p.m., at the Florence Lauderdale Public Library.

Both readings are free and open to the public. Horton's visit is sponsored by the UNA Department of English and the College of Arts and Sciences.

For more information, contact the UNA English Department at 256-765-4238.