Update 2/11/19: Tickets for Angie Thomas’ Feb. 13 keynote are sold out; however, there will be a live stream available in Light Hall, Room 202, for those who were not able to procure a ticket. If seats become available in Langford Auditorium on the night of the event, admission to the lecture for those without tickets will be on a first-come basis. If those with tickets arrive late and all seats are full, they can view the lecture via live stream in Light Hall, Room 202.
Tickets to attend the Feb. 13 lecture by Angie Thomas, the best-selling author of The Hate U Give, are now available for Vanderbilt staff, students and faculty. The tickets are free and available online at Ticketweb and through the Sarratt Student Center Box Office. The general public will have access to any remaining tickets on a first-come basis beginning Jan. 18.
Thomas’ lecture is scheduled to begin at 6:30 p.m. in Langford Auditorium and will be followed by a Q&A.
Inspired by the Black Lives Matter movement, Thomas’ debut novel centers on 16-year-old Starr Carter, who for many years navigated living in two different worlds: the predominantly black community where her family lives and the predominantly white prep school that she attends. When one of her childhood best friends, who is unarmed, is killed by a police officer, Starr finds herself as the only witness and must decide if she will speak her truth and stand against police brutality, racial oppression and injustice.
Thomas’ novel has now been published in more than 20 countries, and a major motion picture based on the book was recently released in theaters across the nation to critical acclaim.
In addition to the lecture from Thomas, Vice Chancellor for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion and Chief Diversity Officer James E. Page Jr. is hosting a book club in advance of her visit. Page and Vanderbilt NAACP President Sydney Banks will co-facilitate a discussion of the book. Scheduled for Jan. 31, the free event will take place from noon to 1 p.m. in the Great Room of E. Bronson Ingram College. The program is open to all staff, students and faculty, and light refreshments will be served.
To learn more about the lecture and book discussion, visit the Equity, Diversity and Inclusion website.