Top Bar

Lower Merion School District

Off-Canvas

LMHS Hosts National African American Read-In (AARI) Event

The Lower Merion High School library recently played host to a special event entitled The Power of the Pen as part of the National African American Read-In (AARI). The AARI is a groundbreaking effort founded in 1990 by the Black Caucus of the National Council of Teachers of English to celebrate African American literature and authors, and to promote literacy as a significant aspect of Black History Month.

Members of the LMHS community gathered in the library as students from the Global Citizenship and Black Excellence courses took the podium as they either delivered presentations on influential African American social justice activists or shared readings penned by iconic African American writers. The presentations highlighted such prominent individuals as Michelle Obama, Amanda Gorman, Bob Marley, Patrisse Cullors, Tarana Burke and Stacey Abrams, among others, while words of powerful poets like Maya Angelou and Phillis Wheatley were read aloud for the many students and staff in attendance.

Tom Reed welcomes everyone to the event
Students deliver a presentation highlighting an influential African American figure
A student presents about Bob Marley
Students deliver a presentation highlighting an influential African American figure
A student gives a presentation on Patrisse Cullors
A student gives a presentation on Patrisse Cullors
A student gives a presentation on Patrisse Cullors
A student gives a presentation on Patrisse Cullors
A student shares a poem by a famous African American poet
Chad Henneberry stands at the podium
Signage for the event that reads %22The Power of the Pen%22
A student presents on Patrisse Cullors
A student shares a poem by a famous African American poet
A student shares a poem by a famous African American poet
A student gives a presentation on Lebron James
Students give a presentation on Lebron James
Students present on Lebron James
A student shares information about black artists
A student holds up a book during her presentation
Two students give a presentation on Michelle Obama
A student presents about black artists
Two students give a presentation on Michelle Obama
A student shares information about an influential African American
Two students share information about Michelle Obama
A student looks at her laptop
A student speaks at the podium
A student talks with Mr. Henneberry
A student talks to Mr. Henneberry
Two students give a presentation about Tarana Burke
Two students give a presentation about Tarana Burke
Two students give a presentation about Tarana Burke
A student shares a poem about Maya Angelou
A student shares a poem by Maya Angelou
A student shares a poem by Maya Angelou
Chad Henneberry at the podium
A sign that reads %22The Power of Black Literature%22
Librarian Kerry Smith speaks at the event
Librarian Kerry Smith speaks at the event
Librarian Kerry Smith speaks at the event
Librarian Kerry Smith speaks at the event
Books by Amanda Gorman, Colson Whitehead and Phyllis Wheatley
A Black Lives Matter sign
A flag that reads Hate Has No Home Here
Two images of Rosa Parks' mugshot and the Obamas

More News