Virginia Hamilton 2023

The return to in-person events culminated this academic year for the iSchool with the 35th Virginia Hamilton Conference on Multicultural Literature for Youth. This year's theme was "Her Story: A Forum on the Power of Storytelling." 

Our keynote speakers were the Emmy Award-Winning team of Cecily Truett and Larry Lancit, creators, writer, director and producers of the beloved PBS television show "Reading Rainbow." They shared with the audience how they came to create the show, the discussions around choosing the host, LeVar Burton, as well as challenges and triumphs over the show's 23 years on PBS. Afterwards, they answered questions from the moderator, Jan Ridgeway and members of the audience. 

Also addressing the audience of nearly two hundred guests were multi-award winning illustrator April W. Harrison; multi-award winning author and editor Nisi Shawl; publisher/co-owner of Lee & Low Books, Jason Low; and award-winning author of young adult novels (and son of Virginia Hamilton) Jamie Adoff. 

Guests dined for lunch at the Design Innovation Hub, engaged in open forums in our breakout sessions, toured the exhibit spaces and were treated to a late afternoon snack break sponsored by Lee & Low Books.  At the close of the conference, our visiting authors signed books for guests and our keynote speakers toured the Virginia Hamilton exhibit showcasing her works, artwork from her books and other materials. 

Please enjoy this gallery of images from the 35th Virginia Hamilton Conference on Multicultural Literature for Youth. (Click on photos for full size.)