Reading "Recitatif": An Evening with Toni Morrison
Please join us at Baldwin Wallace University for a public reading and discussion of "Recitatif," Toni Morrison's only short story!
Participants are invited to view a new exhibit at Baldwin Wallace's Ritter Library, "Toni Morrison: A Century-Long Celebration of Her Life and Enduring Legacy" from 5:30-6:00 p.m. Light refreshments will be served at this reception.
At 6:15 p.m., participants will travel to BW's Center for Innovation and Growth (CIG), where they will listen to a public reading of Morrison’s short story “Recitatif” and engage in a guided discussion of the story led by Dr. Xiamara Hohman (English), Dr. Nick Mays (History), and a faculty member from the Conservatory of Performing Arts. Registered participants will be entered into a drawing to receive a free copy of Recitatif, with an introduction by Zadie Smith.
This in-person program offers an opportunity for close reading, shared reflection, and conversation around one of Morrison’s most discussed and thought-provoking works. It will take place on September 30, 2026, from 5:30–8:00 p.m. The program is free and open to the community.
This event has been organized in partnership with Literary Cleveland, the Ohio Humanities, the Ohioana Library Association, the Toni Morrison Society, Baldwin Wallace University, and the Anisfield-Wolf Book Awards.
Questions? Please contact Dr. Xiamara Hohman (xhohman@bw.edu).
