FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

TWO AWARD-WINNING WRITERS

HEADED TO DCC IN 2004

Nikki Giovanni	Sonia Sanchez

DANVILLE, VA., December 17, 2003 -- Two award-winning writers are headed to Danville

 Community College in 2004! Nikki Giovanni, poet and author, is scheduled for Friday, February 13, 2004, while Poet and playwright Sonia Sanchez is set for Friday, April 2, 2004. Both events will be held in Oliver Hall in DCC’s Temple Building.

            Giovanni, currently a University Distinguished Professor of writing and literature at Virginia Tech, has written more than two-dozen books, including volumes of poetry, illustrated children’s books, and three collections of essays. She has received 19 honorary doctorates and a host of other awards, including “Woman of the Year” from three women’s magazines, and the Governors in Arts Awards from both Tennessee and Virginia. Her newest book, “Blues: For All the Changes,” made the Los Angeles Times Bestseller’s list. It marks the first time a poet has ever been listed.

            Sanchez is the author of 16 books, including “We a BaddDDD People,” “Love Poes”, “Does Your House Have Lions”, and “Like The Singing Coming Off the Drums.” She is the recipient of the Community Service Award from the National Black Caucus of State Legislators and several honors and awards. She has lectured at more than 500 universities and colleges in the United States and has traveled extensively, reading her poetry in many places, including Africa, Cuba, England, Australia, and Canada. She was the first Presidential Fellow at Temple University and she holds the Laura Carnell Chair in English at Temple University.

            Both events are open to the public and offered free of charge. However, because of limited seating in Oliver Hall, free tickets reserved in advance are required for admission for both events.

 In addition, other events are planned in the spring for the Annual Celebration of the Arts. The annual Writers Workshop will be held on Thursday and Friday, April 1-2.

For more information about upcoming events, or to obtain tickets, contact Russell Scruggs, Assistant Professor of History, at (434) 797-8513, or Paula Coleman, Public Relations Assistant, (434) 797-8516.