UK Happenings

Kentucky Women Writers Conference to Present Sonia Sanchez Documentary Screening

Watch a trailer for the documentary "BaddDDD Sonia Sanchez" above.

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Sept. 4, 2020) The Sonia Sanchez Series, part of the annual Kentucky Women Writers Conference, honors the indelible spirit of the poet whose writing has had a tremendous impact on Black culture and social justice issues. This year, as the conference proceeds virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Sonia Sanchez Series event will feature a free public screening of the documentary “BaddDDD Sonia Sanchez” beginning 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 11.

Sanchez considers writing both a personal and political act. She is among the earliest poets to have used urban Black English in her poetry and was one of the first activists to secure the inclusion of African American studies in university curricula.

The 2017 Emmy-nominated documentary explores how Sanchez’s life unfolded, with readings and jazz-accompanied performances of her work. The film examines the writer’s contribution to the world of poetry, her place in the Black Arts Movement and her role in African American culture.

Participants will be able to engage with the Kentucky Women Writers Conference event host, series chair Patrice K. Muhammad, founder and editor of The Key Newsjournal, along with other viewers by typing chat room comments during the film.

“BaddDDD Sonia Sanchez” will be streamed over Zoom and it is free to all who want to register. Click here to register for the event.

A joint program of the University of Kentucky College of Arts and Sciences and Kentucky Women Writers Conference Inc., the conference is the longest running literary festival of women in the nation. Registration opened July 1, and free events also require registration. To register or for more information on the conference, visit online at www.kentuckywomenwriters.org or phone 859-257-2874.

still photo from "BaddDDD Sonia Sanchez" documentary
Kentucky Women Writers Conference will present a virtual screening of the documentary "BaddDDD Sonia Sanchez" on Sept. 11.

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