Join bestselling author R. Eric Thomas for the release of his new book, "Kings of B’more"
Kings of B’more Book Release with R. Eric Thomas
In conversation with Versatile Poetiq
Thursday, June 9th 2022: 6-7:30pm
Hartford Public Library, Atrium
500 Main Street Hartford, CT
Join bestselling author R. Eric Thomas in-person, in conversation with poet Versatile Poetiq, for the release of his new book, Kings of B’more, which tells the story of two Black queer best friends who face their last day together with an epic journey through Baltimore in this magnetic YA debut. This event is supported by Hartford Foundation’s The Equality Fund for LGBTQ+, Kamora’s Cultural Corner, the Hartford Gay and Lesbian Health Collective, and Hartford Public Library. R. Eric Thomas’ books will be for sale by Barnes and Noble UConn Hartford. Masks are optional and vaccination is not required at Hartford Public Library.
R. Eric Thomas is the bestselling author of Here for It, or How to Save Your Soul in America, a Read with Jenna book club pick featured on Today and a Lambda Literary Award finalist. He is the co-author of Reclaiming Her Time, a biography of Rep. Maxine Waters. He is also a television writer (AppleTV+’s Dickinson, FX’s Better Things), a playwright, and the long-running host of The Moth in Philadelphia and D.C. For four years, he was a senior staff writer at Elle.com where he wrote “Eric Reads the News.” Kings of B’more is his YA debut. Learn more at rericthomas.com.
Brittana “VersatilePoetiq” Tatum was born at Hartford Hospital. She was raised for nine years in Simsbury, CT and ten years in Avon, CT. She played basketball throughout high school with aspirations of playing in college. She graduated from Avon High School in 2005. In the fall of 2005 she attended University of Hartford as a marketing major. She put away her basketball sneakers and picked up a pen to become a Poet. She graduated from UHart with a Business Administration degree in May of 2009. She has been performing Spoken Word for 10 years and teaching Spoken Word for 8 years. She works for Charter Oak Cultural Center and Arts for Learning Connecticut. She taught Civic Engagement at Two Rivers Middle School to 35 (6th, 7th, and 8th graders) for her first teaching experience. She has also taught at Covenant Prep, Montessori Magnet School, Trinity Academy, YMCA, Boys & Girls Club, Milner Elementary, SANDS School, and Albert E. Burr School in Hartford, CT. She has taught Spoken Word throughout CT (New Haven, Windham, East Hartford, and Norwich to name a few towns). She performed in front of 20,000 people at The Greater Hartford Jazz Festival in 2019. She hosted the Trinity International Hip Hop Festival in 2019. Her stage name is VersatilePoetiq due to her universal appeal and unique mix of Spoken Word and Rap. She has all her students call her Ms. Versatile. @versatilepoetiq
If you require special accommodations to take part in this program, please call 860-695-6377 at least two weeks in advance
Hartford Public Library’s history spans more than 235 years. We can trace its very beginnings to the Library Company, formally organized in 1774 by a few subscribers to purchase a "collection of useful and religious books". And now, the library is a national leader in redefining the urban public library in the 21st century as an innovative and stimulating place where people can learn and discover, explore their passions, and find a rich array of resources that contribute to a full life.
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