The Newark Public Library has announced that Tracy K. Smith will deliver the fifth annual lecture in the Philip Roth Lecture Series. Established in 2016, the series honors Mr. Roth, his roots in Newark, and his contributions to the city, including bequeathing more than 7,000 of his books, personal documents, Eames chair and writing desk, and other historical items to The Philip Roth Personal Library. Construction of the room is well underway, and members of the media can make arrangements to visit and personally review its contents. The lecture will take place via Zoom on September 30th from 6-8 PM at Newark Public Library. Visit www.npl.org to make a reservation.
Ms. Smith was appointed United States Poet Laureate in 2017 and is the author of four books of poetry, which have won numerous awards, and a memoir. Life on Mars was the winner of the 2012 Pulitzer Prize and Duende won the 2006 James Laughlin Award. She is the Roger Berlind ’52 Professor in the Humanities and Chair of the Lewis Center for the Arts at Princeton University. Introducing Ms. Smith will be Mayor Ras Baraka of Newark, himself a poet and activist.
“This event is a shining example of the type of programming that will occur at the Philip Roth Personal Library – examining challenging topics in an effort to raise awareness, promote discussion, and nurture understanding. Tracy Smith’s lecture, which will be introduced by Newark’s own noted poet, Mayor Ras Baraka, comes at an unprecedented time of civil unrest. It promises to be a thought-provoking conversation and a memorable event,” said Joslyn Bowling Dixon.
Mayor Ras Baraka is an ideal choice to introduce Ms. Smith, as he is a poet and spoken word artist. He follows in his parents’ steps,Amiri Baraka, who was former New Jersey State Poet Laureate, and Amini Baraka, both social activists. The Mayor is known to end many of his briefings with poems, including his own.
