The theme of the conference was the 50th anniversary of the Freedom Rides, high school, undergraduate, and graduate students made presentations on topics of their choice in one of four fields:
1. spoken word (5 to 7 minute original presentations in storytelling, oratory, and poetry)
2. visual arts (up to 3 pieces of artwork in any media with a 5 to 7 minute presentation)
3. written (8 to 10 page essays with a 15 to 20 minute presentations)
4. performing arts (5 to 7 minute dance, musical, and theatrical presentations)
The best essay by a JSU student received the $1,000 annual Margaret Walker Award, and selected essays will have the opportunity to be published in either the BLACK MAGNOLIAS Literary Journal or the JSU RESEARCHER. The winning essay was:
Jackson State University
"Essay on Skin, Race, and Pride"
Jarrett Claiborne,
The highlight of the Creative Arts Festival for me was the Friday night Poetry reading event held at the Africa Book Cafe. The venue was packed with engaged listeners and participants and the poetry readings by Amiri Baraka, Sonia Sanchez, Charlie Braxton and C. Liegh McInnis were awesome! The poetry reading was an intergenerational dialogue that was both inspiring and educational. The venue gave individuals the opportunity to support a small African American owned business in Jackson, Mississippi.
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