Professor Jack Daniel, Pitt Vice Provost and Dean, To be Featured Reader at African American Read-In Chain Feb. 1

PITTSBURGH—Jack Daniel, University of Pittsburgh vice provost for undergraduate studies, dean of students, and professor of communication, will be the featured reader at a regional African American Read-In Chain at 3 p.m. Feb. 1 in the library of Oakland's First Baptist Church, Bellefield and Bayard streets.

Inspired by the national effort to promote racial harmony by sharing the rich legacy of African American authors, the First Baptist Church Read-In is coordinated by Ogle Duff, an associate professor in Pitt's School of Education. This is the 15th year for the free event.

Daniel is author of We Fish, The Journey to Fatherhood (University of Pittsburgh Press, 2003). He wrote the memoir with his son, Omari. Representatives from Pitt's Black Greek organizations, as well as members of the church, also will read. In addition, the First Baptist Church choir will perform.

"For the past 15 years, the Black Caucus of the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE) has been building the numbers for a million or more people to become acquainted with literature by African American writers by participating in the Read-In," said Duff. "Through this experience, the participants have an opportunity to see the world through the eyes of another culture, the good and the bad, the beautiful and the ugly, to share the human experience from a different perspective. The reward, of course, is one of enrichment."

People also are encouraged to form groups at other locations.

Schools, churches, libraries, bookstores, businesses, and community and professional organizations also are urged to make literacy a significant part of Black History Month by hosting and coordinating read-ins. Individuals across the nation are asked to participate Feb. 1. Teachers may join the program by holding a read-in in their classrooms Feb. 2.

Penn Hills School District's Penn Hebron Elementary will participate in a Monday read-in. The scheduled readings will involve the entire school, which has a population of 615 students and 60 staff members. The school is located at

102 Duff Rd.

The read-in is sponsored by the Black Caucus of the NCTE. For more information about participating in the Read-In, holding your own reading, receiving recommendations on reading selections, volunteering to read at the church, or registering a read-in group, contact Duff at 412-648-7194 or ogleduff@pitt.edu.

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