 Elizabeth AlexanderPoet • Scholar • Chair of African American Studies, Yale
Elizabeth Alexander explores issues of race, gender and politics through her poetry. She made history when she delivered her poem “Praise Song for the Day” at Barack Obama’s presidential inauguration. A long-time advocate of the arts as a critical element of our civic dialogue, she has said, “Poetry is not meant to cheer; rather, poetry challenges, and moves us towards transformation.” Her new book, Crave Radiance: New and Selected Poems 1990 - 2010, is her first career retrospective, and Publishers Weekly, in a starred review, said it "will cement Alexander's status as even more than the inaugural poet."
Speaking topic: Hearing America Singing: Multi-vocal Cultures in America
 Nancy GilesCBS Sunday Morning contributor • Comedian, Actress
A funny, provocative, and perceptive observer of today’s world, Nancy Giles has made her mark dismantling misconceptions about race, feminism, and sexism with her social commentaries and theater pieces, and with appearances on CNN, The Today Show and Hardball with Chris Matthews. Speaking on topics ranging from popular culture and body image to creativity and stereotypes, Giles says, “I want to make people laugh and I want to entertain them, but I also want to provoke thought and discussion.”
Speaking topic: My Wacky Adventures in Race & Racism
 Walter MosleyNovelist • Social Commentator
Exploring the black experience in America over the past seven decades, through 38 books of fiction and non-fiction, Walter Mosley has consistently given a powerful voice to complex African-American protagonists as few other fiction writers have done. The Boston Globe hailed him as “one of the nation's finest writers." In 2009 Mosley conceived "Ten Things," a monthly feature for The Nation connecting readers to political advocacy and social activism opportunities, and is writing an HBO series based on The Long Fall – the pilot will be co-written and directed by Jonathan Demme and produced by Tom Hanks and Gary Goetzman. Twice awarded the NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Literary Work, this fall Mosley will release The Last Days of Ptolemy Grey, and in Spring 2011 will release When the Thrill is Gone, the third installment of his Leonid McGill series.
Speaking topic: The Only True Race is the Human Race 10,000 years of history run in my veins (CNN)
 Jamaica KincaidWriter • Novelist • Professor
Through her books and novels, including Annie John, Lucy, At the Bottom of the River and A Small Place, Jamaica Kincaid has carved out a unique place in the American literary landscape. Her stories are deeply rooted in her experiences as a child growing up in Antigua. Kincaid says, “I never give up thinking about the way I came into the world, how my ancestors came from Africa to the West Indies as slaves...It’s like a big wave that’s still pulsing.” Kincaid started her academic career at Harvard University, holding joint appointments in English and African American Studies, and is currently a professor at Claremont McKenna College. In her speeches, Kincaid discusses the importance of our own personal landscapes, history and cultural identity.
Speaking topic: Landscapes and Memory
 Anna Deavere SmithPlaywright • Actor • Professor
Anna Deavere Smith uses her singular brand of theater to explore issues of community, character and diversity in America with plays including Fires in the Mirror, Twilight: Los Angeles, and Let Me Down Easy. She was awarded the prestigious MacArthur Foundation “Genius” Fellowship for creating “a new form of theatre — a blend of theatrical art, social commentary, journalism and intimate reverie.” Engaging audiences in the complex issues surrounding race and identity, all of her presentations include theatrical performance elements as she transforms herself into characters she has created for each event. She currently has a recurring role on the Showtime series Nurse Jackie.
Speaking topic: Snapshots: Glimpses of America In Change
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