Francis Marion University Presents Glenis Redmond

Francis Marion University will kick off their “Universities Studying Slavery” (USS) initiative with a performance by noted poet Glenis Redmond on September 23, 2021. SC Humanities helped support this program with a Fast Track Literary Grant.

The USS initiative is open to any school contemplating or already investigating its own history as it relates to slavery or racism. Francis Marion University officially joined this collaborative group of universities in August 2021. Plans for the first year including walking tours of Francis Marion University’s campus, oral histories of the region, and focused writing projects about important historical sites. The USS Initiative at Francis Marion University will launch with the performance by Glenis Redmond who will provide an interactive poetry performance and presentation regarding place and the legacy of slavery for the Florence community.

Glenis Redmond is an award-winning poet, author of Backbone and Under The Sun, and a Kennedy Center teaching artist. She is also a dynamic performer of her work and has presented all around the country for both student and adult audiences.

Her presentation will be followed by a moderated panel about other elements of the USS initiative at Francis Marion University that will take place in the 2021-2022 academic year, such as an oral history project, poetry slam, and more.

The event will take place on Thursday, September 23, 2021 at Francis Marion University’s Chapman Auditorium, 4822 E Palmetto St, Florence, SC 29506. Doors will open at 5:00 p.m., and the program will start at 6:00 p.m. The event will also be streamed on the Francis Marion University YouTube channel.

The mission of SC Humanities is to enrich the cultural and intellectual lives of all South Carolinians. Established in 1973, this 501(c) 3 organization is governed by a volunteer 21-member Board of Directors comprised of community leaders from throughout the state. It presents and/or supports literary initiatives, lectures, exhibits, festivals, publications, oral history projects, videos and other humanities-based experiences that directly or indirectly reach more than 250,000 citizens annually.