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Kindergarten
Started to begin the process of reading/ loving books -
Period: to
Important Reading Events
Events that made an impact on my life -
Ist Grade
Began reading independently -
3rd Grade
Won an award at school for excellence in Reading -
4th Grade
Read "Charlotte's Web" in literary circle, in class. Fell in love with books, for the first time. -
6th Grade Promotional Exercise
Won the Principal's Award: Highest Reading score in my entire class -
9th Grade English Class
Ms. Parker introduced me to Maya Angelou (I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings) and she instantly became my favorite poet -
11th Grade English
Ms. Parks-Lee sponsored an assembly on the Harlem Renaissance. I was introduced to my new favorite poet Langston Hughes. I began to write poetry. -
12th Grade year
Read Richard Wright's "Native Son." Decided to try my hand at writing the great American novel. -
Freshman Year, Morehouse College
English Composition I, in Dr. Blumenthal's class. Furthered my education in African-American lit, with plays like "Joe Turner's Come and Gone" by August Wilson and prose like "The Bluest Eye" by Toni Morrison. Both of which I wrote expository papers on. -
African-American Lit Class, Dr. Rahming
I dropped this class 4 times before passing it. It was a stumbling block to graduating and becoming a teacher. All I remember is the affect Ellison's "Invisible Man" had on my psyche as a black man in America. Life shaping.