is one of 62 organizations nationwide to be awarded a 2023-2024 National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) Big Read grant. The Stark Campus’ $14,100 grant will support the Big Read Northeast Ohio, a community reading program and related events this fall.
Kent State Stark will present Thi Bui, author of the award-winning graphic memoir, “The Best We Could Do”, for a keynote event and book reading 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. Sept. 28 at the campus Conference Center, 6000 Frank Ave. NW.
Meet the Author Thi Bui
Thursday, Sept. 28, 2023
7:30 - 8:30 p.m.
Conference Center
at Stark
Books will be available for purchase. A Q&A and book signing will follow the presentation.
FREE EVENT - PLEASE REGISTER
The event is free and tickets are not required, but please register to let us know you're coming!
To request disability accommodations, email starkevents@kent.edu.
Bui, who was born in Vietnam and came to the United States in 1978 as part of a wave of refugees fleeing Southeast Asia at the end of the Vietnam War, explores the anguish of immigration and the lasting effects that displacement has on a child and her family.
at Stark presents Thi Bui as part of the and , an initiative that seeks to broaden understanding of the world through the exploration of award-winning books that showcase diverse themes, voices and perspectives. The Stark Campus is also receiving support from the following community partners: , and . Additional support provided by 's Division of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and DEAR Committee.
ADDITIONAL BIG READ EVENTS
These local events are free and open to the public.
| Date | Time | Location | Event |
|---|---|---|---|
| Friday, Sept. 1 | 2:30 - 4 p.m. | Stark Library - East Canton Branch |
Writers' Workshop Discussion: The Best We Could Do |
| Tuesday, Sept. 5 | 6 p.m. | Stark Library - Main Library |
Read Around the World Book Club Discussion: The Best We Could Do |
| Tuesday, Sept. 12 | 6 p.m. | McKinley Presidential Library & Museum |
History-based Discussion: The Best We Could Do |
| Wednesday, Sept. 13 | 1:30 p.m. | McKinley Presidential Library & Museum |
History-based Discussion: The Best We Could Do |
| Thursday, Sept. 14 | 4 p.m. | Kent State Twinsburg Academic Center |
Book Discussion: The Best We Could Do |
| Tuesday, Sept. 19 | 6 p.m. | Canal Fulton Public Library | Book Club Discussion: The Best We Could Do |
| Thursday, Sept. 21 | 11 a.m. | Kent Free Library Bumphrey Room |
Book Discussion: The Best We Could Do |
| Thursday, Sept. 21 | 1:30 p.m. | North Canton Public Library |
Senior Group Book Club Discussion: The Best We Could Do |
| Wednesday, Oct. 4 | 3 - 4 p.m. | Kent State Stark Library | Book Discussion: A History of Banned & Challenged Books from World War II through the 21st Century |
| Wednesday, Oct. 11 | 12 - 1 p.m. | Kent State Stark Auditorium | Book Discussion: Unsayable: Expressions of Lived Experiences in Graphic Novels |
For more information, visit www.kent.edu/stark/thi-bui.