Winners in the 2023 bell hooks Writing Contest will be announced during a gathering to celebrate their stories, poems and essays at 3 p.m. Sunday, March 19, at the Performing Arts Center in Christian County Middle School. The Christian County Literacy Council received 80 entries on theme of “Belonging.”
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This is the second year the literacy council has sponsored a writing contest in memory of bell hooks. A Hopkinsville native, she was born Gloria Jean Watkins in 1952 and died at her home in Berea in December 2021. hooks was a feminist author and activist. She wrote more than 30 books, including several for children.
Sunday’s ceremony will include a reading by hooks’ sister, Gwenda Motley, from the book “Belonging: A Culture of Place.” There will also be a vocal performance by University Heights Academy student Lucy LeBlanc and a piano performance by literacy council board member Beth Brockman.
First- and second-place winners in each of the four age categories will be invited to read from their selection, Francene Gilmer, the literacy council’s executive director, said in a press release.
Gwenda Motley serves on the Hoptown Chronicle board.
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