Per Montgomery County: “Renowned writer Mahogany L. Browne, Lincoln Center’s inaugural poet-in-residence, will be the featured speaker at the Montgomery County Public Libraries’ (MCPL) “Contemporary Conversations” series in celebration of Black History Month.
The free event titled, “Chlorine Skies and Chrome Valleys: The Work of Mahogany L. Browne,” will take place at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 27, at the Marilyn J. Praisner Library in Burtonsville.
The Marilyn J. Praisner Library is located at 14910 Old Columbia Pike in Burtonsville. Advance registration is required to attend. For more information, visit https://mcpl.libnet.info/event/9968618.
“Black History Month is time to learn and better understand the history, culture and contribution of Black Americans,” said, County Executive Marc Elrich. “Our Contemporary Conversations series is the perfect place to engage in discussions that educate and unite us. Exploring the lives and contributions of people from different backgrounds, experiences and cultures enables us to embrace our commonalities. Mahogany L. Browne’s participation underscores how important it is to have a variety of voices and perspectives presented to help shape our understanding of our nation’s history.”
Ms. Browne is a playwright, community organizer, arts event curator and literary educator who has received fellowships from Arts for Justice, Air Serenbe, Cave Canem, Poets House, Mellon Research, and Rauschenberg. She is the author of Vinyl Moon, Chlorine Sky, Chrome Valley, Woke: A Young Poets Call to Justice, Woke Baby and Black Girl Magic. Ms. Browne is the executive director of JustMedia, a media literacy initiative designed to support the groundwork of criminal justice leaders and community members.
“Since 2017, the Contemporary Conversations series has brought many experienced authors and journalists to discuss cultural and current issues with our community members,” said MCPL Director Anita Vassallo. “The Montgomery County Public Libraries is delighted to bring a young adult author of the category of Mahogany L. Browne to the series to continue having meaningful conversations in this community forum.”
Ms. Browne’s presentation will be followed by a questions and answers session and a book signing reception featuring complimentary light fare. Books will be available at the event for purchase from the Friends of the Library Montgomery County (FOLMC) or by visiting https://bookshop.org/shop/folmc.
The Contemporary Conversations series is sponsored by FOLMC and Classroom 2 Community (C2C).
Previous speakers in the Contemporary Conversations series have included Kojo Nnamdi, David Ignatius, Charles Lane, Hena Khan, Michelle Singletary, Dinaw Mengestu, Joshua Johnson, Elizabeth Kolbert, Haben Girma, Jarret Krosoczka, Michael W. Twitty, Sheree Renée Thomas, Tyehimba Jess, Karen Washington, Jabira S. Walker, Emanuel Xavier, Regie Cabico, Dr. DJ Kuttin KandyBBoy, Danny Nguyen and Tony Medina.
For more information about previous speakers, visit the website.”