UK to host online symposium honoring bell hooks

The symposium will feature scholars, artists and activists from across Kentucky.

The University of Kentucky will host an online symposium honoring the life of Hopkinsville native and feminist author bell hooks.

“bell hooks: A Legacy Rooted in Love,” will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 12, via Zoom, and is open to the public.

The symposium will feature scholars, artists and activists from across Kentucky including:

  • Crystal Wilkinson, Kentucky Poet Laureate and UK associate professor of English.
  • Attica Scott, Kentucky State Representative for District 41. 
  • Kaila Adia Story, podcaster and University of Louisville Audre Lorde Endowed Chair in Race, Class, Gender and Sexuality Studies.
  • DeBraun Thomas, “Take Back Cheapside” co-founder and WUKY producer/host.
  • M. Shadee Malaklou, inaugural director of the bell hooks center and Berea College chair of the Women’s and Gender Studies Department. 
  • DaMaris Hill, UK associate professor of creative writing, English, and African American studies.

Proclaimed as “one of the preeminent feminist voices of our time,” bell hooks was Professor in Residence in Appalachian Studies at Berea College until her death in December.

hooks was known as one of the country’s leading feminist scholars and the author of more than 30 books of poetry, fiction and critical essays. Her work garnered several prestigious awards, including the American Book Award, an Image Award nomination from the NAACP, and a Children’s Book of the Year designation. Throughout her career, hooks also taught at the University of Southern California, Yale University, Oberlin College and the City College of New York.

Individuals interested in attending should register here.

Julia Hunter is the engagement editor for Hoptown Chronicle. Reach her at julia@hoptownchronicle.org.