Uploaded November 2021 | Updated September 2026, 4 days ago

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When Angela Jackson was named Illinois Poet Laureate in 2020, she quoted her legendary predecessor Gwendolyn Brooks, saying ‘Poetry is life distilled." A poet, playwright, and novelist, Jackson’s repertoire—including poetry collections like Pulitzer Prize-nominated It Seems Like a Mighty Long Time and American Book Award-winning novel Where I Must Go—cements her place next to Brooks among Chicago literary giants. Join us for a poetic life distilled: a celebration of Jackson’s remarkable career in one essential afternoon with an amazing line-up of poets reading and performing, emceed by the fabulous poets Parneshia Jones and avery r. young.

This program is presented in partnership with the Poetry Foundation, Lake Forest College, African American Women's Magazine Media, and Northwestern University Press.

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