Together We Rise- Building Bridges for Justice will hold an African American Poetry Read-in to celebrate Black History Month as part of the National African American Read-In sponsored by the Black Caucus of the National Council of Teachers of English.

The read-in will be co-hosted by Marilynn S Turner and Edwina Trentham. Turner is a third generation native of Colchester, Connecticut. She is a Professor of English at Asnuntuck Community College in Enfield, Connecticut. She is currently working on a memoir based on the southern roots of her family and is also the founder of the Asnuntuck Community College One-Book program.

Trentham, a poet who started the Fourth Friday Poetry Open Mic at Two Wrasslin’ Cats, is a Professor Emerita of English at Asnuntuck Community College, where she founded the poetry journal, Freshwater, and was involved with organizing the college’s annual African American Read-Ins celebrating Black History Month.

The East Haddam Read-In will focus on African American poetry, so participants are encouraged to bring their favorite poems by African American poets to read, or read from the selection of works by African American poets that will be available at the Read-In, or just come and support this important event by listening to some fine poetry.

The reading is free and open to the public and refreshments will be served.