In February, Ohio will kick off a year-long, statewide celebration of one of the state’s — and world’s — most beloved writers.
Led by Literacy Cleveland and Ohio Humanities, “Beloved: Ohio Celebrates Toni Morrison” will honor the life, work and legacy of novelist and editor Toni Morrison, beginning with an inaugural event at The Columbus Foundation on Wednesday, Feb. 18 — Morrison’s birthday. The program aims to encourage Ohioans to learn more about Morrison, as well as read her books and reflect on both their themes and the American history they’re rooted in.
“Our ambition is for every person in Ohio — young and old — to engage with Toni Morrison’s life, literature and legacy over the next year,” says Literary Cleveland Executive Director Matt Weinkam. “This is our opportunity to celebrate the greatest artist in our state’s history. Her writing challenges and inspires us as much today as when it was first published, and we can’t wait to bring it to life this year all across Ohio.”
Morrison was born in Lorain, Ohio, in 1931 and became the first African American woman to win the Nobel Prize in Literature. She also won a Pulitzer Prize in 1988 for her novel, Beloved, which was set in post-Civil War Cincinnati. Throughout her life, Morrison wrote 11 novels that depicted American history through the Black experience, from slavery in colonial America in A Mercy to childhood trauma and how skin color shapes identity in the 21st century in God Help the Child. She also used Ohio as a setting in several of her books, including Beloved, The Bluest Eye, set in her hometown, Lorain, and Sula, which is set in a fictional Ohio town.
“Through her incredible storytelling, Toni Morrison became a powerful advocate for the power of literature and art to promote democracy worldwide. Though she is no longer with us, her work — and her words — remain alive and more relevant than ever,” said Rebecca Asmo, Ohio Humanities’ executive director.
Organizers say the project builds on Ohio’s declaration of Feb. 18 as Toni Morrison Day. It also aligns with America250, a series of events across the country celebrating the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence this year. A kick-off event will be held on Feb. 18 at 5 p.m. at The Columbus Foundation (1234 E. Broad St., Columbus), featuring a conversation between writer and educator Namwali Serpell and poet and essayist Hanif Abdurraqib, which will be inspired by Serpell’s new book, On Morrison, exploring Morrison’s lasting influence and the importance of her work.
If you can’t attend in-person, you can watch the event via livestream by registering here.
Following the kickoff, there will be more than 40 events throughout the year across the state to celebrate Morrison’s legacy, including a free, statewide virtual book club that will read and discuss all 11 of Morrison’s novels and monthly essays on Toni Morrison published by Cleveland Review of Books. In Cincinnati, events include a Margaret Garner and Black Cincinnati Bus and Walking Tour organized by the Harriet Beecher Stowe House; a multi-session reading and discussion series of Beloved, hosted by local author, essayist and speaker Ramona Payne; a children’s storytime and activity series organized by the University of Cincinnati; and more.
More events will be added soon, and you can see the full lineup here.
More info: ohiocelebratestonimorrison.org.