An Evening of Poetry with Leonard Slade, Jr. 

Slade's books of poetry include Nobody Knows (2015).

ALBANY, N.Y. (April 18, 2016) – To celebrate National Poetry Month, the University Libraries will host a reading by Professor of Africana Studies and award-winning poet Leonard A. Slade, Jr. on April 19 at 6:30 p.m. The event will take place in the first floor northeast wing of the main Library.

Slade is a distinguished poet and scholar whose many awards include: the Ragdale Artists’ Fellowship; the Northeast Modern Language Association Fellowship; the Southern Conference on African American Studies’ Poetry Book Award; and two National Association for Equal Opportunity in Higher Education awards. In 2015, the Southern Conference on African American Studies named its annual poetry prize the “Leonard A. Slade Jr. Poetry Prize” in his honor.

“People are hungry for truth, beauty, love and joy,” said Slade. “Poetry gives us all those things.”       

Professor Leonard A. Slade, Jr.

This April marks the 20th anniversary of National Poetry Month, which was inaugurated by the Academy of American Poets in 1996. Over the years, National Poetry Month has become the largest literary celebration in the world with schools, publishers, libraries, booksellers, and poets celebrating poetry’s vital place in our culture.

“The University Libraries take great pride in celebrating National Poetry Month,” said Interim Dean and Director of Libraries Rebecca Mugridge. “We are pleased to showcase Dr. Slade and his award-winning poetry.”

An Accomplished Poet

Slade is also a University at Albany Collins Fellow (2005), a University at Albany Foundation Citizen Academic Laureate (2007), and an adjunct Professor of English.

The oldest of nine children, Slade grew up on a 75-acre family farm in Conway, N.C. His parents, Elisabeth and Leonard Slade Sr., sent all nine children to college.

Slade’s books of poetry include: Nobody Knows (2015); God Put a Rainbow in the Sky (2014); Chasing the Wind (2012); Sweet Solitude (2010); Triumph (2010); Jazz After Dinner (2006); For the Love of Freedom (2000); Elisabeth (1999); Lilacs in Spring (1998); Neglecting the Flowers (1997); Fire Burning (1996); Pure Light (1996); Magic Mirror (1996); Vintage (1995); The Whipping Song (1993); I Fly Like a Bird (1992); Another Black Voice, a Different Drummer (1988); and The Beauty of Blackness (1988).

He is at work on his 19th collection of poetry.

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