Kent State University is one of 62 organizations nationwide to be awarded a 2023-2024 National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) Big Read grant. The Stark Campus’ $14,100 grant will support the Big Read Northeast Ohio, a community reading program and related events this fall.
Kent State Stark will present Thi Bui, author of the award-winning graphic memoir, “The Best We Could Do”, for a keynote event and book reading 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. Sept. 28 at the campus Conference Center, 6000 Frank Ave. NW.
Meet the Author Thi Bui
Thursday, Sept. 28, 2023
7:30 - 8:30 p.m.
Conference Center
Kent State University at Stark
Books will be available for purchase. A Q&A and book signing will follow the presentation.
FREE EVENT - PLEASE REGISTER
The event is free and tickets are not required, but please register to let us know you're coming!
REGISTER FOR SEPT. 28
To request disability accommodations, email starkevents@kent.edu.
Bui, who was born in Vietnam and came to the United States in 1978 as part of a wave of refugees fleeing Southeast Asia at the end of the Vietnam War, explores the anguish of immigration and the lasting effects that displacement has on a child and her family.
Kent State University at Stark presents Thi Bui as part of the National Endowment for the Arts Big Read and Arts Midwest, an initiative that seeks to broaden understanding of the world through the exploration of award-winning books that showcase diverse themes, voices and perspectives. The Stark Campus is also receiving support from the following community partners: Stark Library, McKinley Presidential Library & Museum and Canal Fulton Public Library. Additional support provided by Kent State University's Division of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and DEAR Committee.
ADDITIONAL BIG READ EVENTS
These local events are free and open to the public.
| Date | Time | Location | Event |
|---|---|---|---|
| Friday, Sept. 1 | 2:30 - 4 p.m. | Stark Library - East Canton Branch |
Writers' Workshop Discussion: The Best We Could Do |
| Tuesday, Sept. 5 | 6 p.m. | Stark Library - Main Library |
Read Around the World Book Club Discussion: The Best We Could Do |
| Tuesday, Sept. 12 | 6 p.m. | McKinley Presidential Library & Museum |
History-based Discussion: The Best We Could Do |
| Wednesday, Sept. 13 | 1:30 p.m. | McKinley Presidential Library & Museum |
History-based Discussion: The Best We Could Do |
| Thursday, Sept. 14 | 4 p.m. | Kent State Twinsburg Academic Center |
Book Discussion: The Best We Could Do |
| Tuesday, Sept. 19 | 6 p.m. | Canal Fulton Public Library | Book Club Discussion: The Best We Could Do |
| Thursday, Sept. 21 | 11 a.m. | Kent Free Library Bumphrey Room |
Book Discussion: The Best We Could Do |
| Thursday, Sept. 21 | 1:30 p.m. | North Canton Public Library |
Senior Group Book Club Discussion: The Best We Could Do |
| Wednesday, Oct. 4 | 3 - 4 p.m. | Kent State Stark Library | Book Discussion: A History of Banned & Challenged Books from World War II through the 21st Century |
| Wednesday, Oct. 11 | 12 - 1 p.m. | Kent State Stark Auditorium | Book Discussion: Unsayable: Expressions of Lived Experiences in Graphic Novels |
For more information, visit www.kent.edu/stark/thi-bui.