Rudolph Byrd, professor of American studies at Emory University and a renowned civil rights scholar, will deliver the weekly convocation address at Carleton College beginning at 10:50 a.m. on Friday, October 1, in the Skinner memorial Chapel on the College campus. Byrd is the founder of the James Weldon Johnson Institute at Emory University, which is the first institute established at Emory in order to honor the achievements of Americans of African descent. Byrd’s presentation, entitled “Regarding James Weldon Johnson,” is free and open to the public.
Byrd is also the author of several titles, including The Essential Writings of James Weldon Johnson (Modern Library, 2008) and Charles Johnson’s Novels: Writing the American Palimpsest (Indiana University Press, 2005). Following Byrd’s convocation address, he will sign copies of both books, which will be available for purchase at the event, and in advance at the Carleton College Bookstores, at a 15% discount.
Emory University’s James Weldon Johnson institute is one of the premiere sites in the nation for the study of the modern civil rights movement. Its work offers a framework for understanding the history and legacy of civil rights while also providing context to explain the ways in which the civil rights movement continues to have relevance.
Educated at Lewis and Clark University and Yale University, Byrd began his academic career at Carleton College, where he was a member of the department of English and chair of the program for African and African American studies. Since joining the faculty of Emory University in 1991, Byrd co-founded the Alice Walker Literary Society. He also serves as a consultant to the United Negro College Fund and Andrew W. Mellon Programs, reflecting his commitment to service and scholarship at the local and national level.
The Carleton College bookstore is located in the Sayles-Hill Campus Center, located off College Street on the Carleton campus. For more information call (507) 222-4153. For more information regarding the convocation, including disability accommodations, please contact the Carleton College Office of College Relations at (507) 222-4309. The Skinner Memorial Chapel is located on First Street between College and Winona Streets in Northfield, on the Carleton College campus.
