Alabama native and CNN Anchor, Kaitlan Collins to moderate Colloquium Oct. 23—tickets on sale now

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On October 23, celebrate those who make our state and nation a smarter, kinder and more vibrant place to live during the Alabama Humanities Alliance’s 2023 Alabama Colloquium, presented by Regions. Read on to find out who will receive top honors, discover a bonus experience you won’t want to miss and more. Tickets sell out quickly—grab yours now. 

Event Details

• What: 2023 Alabama Colloquium, presented by Regions
• Featured speakers: David Mathews, Imani Perry, Kaitlan Collins
• When: Monday, October 23 | 11:30AM-1:30PM
• Where: Grand Bohemian Hotel, 2655 Lane Park Rd, Birmingham, AL 35223
• Cost: Virtual Ticket – $75 | In-Person Ticket – $100 | Bonus Experience: Wallace House Tour – $50
• Tickets
• More opportunities: Reserve a table | Sponsor The Alabama Colloquium | Donate to the Alabama Humanities Alliance

About the Alabama Humanities Alliance

Birmingham-based nonprofit the Alabama Humanities Alliance (AHA) serves as a state affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities. Through storytelling, lifelong learning and civic engagement, AHA provides those in our state with opportunities to connect through our shared cultures.

Since 1989, AHA has hosted its annual Alabama Colloquium—a special awards luncheon that celebrates the humanities’ impact in our state and honors those who have made Alabama a better place to live. All through the humanities.

Celebrate the power of the humanities during the 2023 Alabama Colloquium, October 23—get your tickets now.

Meet the 2023 Alabama Humanities Fellows

Each year at this event, AHA features a fascinating conversation between its newest Alabama Humanities Fellows. The title of Fellow is the highest humanities honor bestowed in Alabama, and its ranks include the likes of Bryan Stevenson, Howell Raines, Fred Gray, E.O. Wilson, Harper Lee, W. Kamau Bell, Wayne Flynt, and John Lewis.

This year’s Fellows are acclaimed scholars and community-builders, David Mathews and Imani Perry.

Here’s a closer look at who they are and their work in the humanities:

David Mathews, Ph.D.

A native of Grove Hill, Alabama, Dr. David Mathews has dedicated his life to building community and promoting democracy. 

• He became the youngest president of a major university when he began his tenure at The University of Alabama at age 33. He also presided over the integration of the Crimson Tide’s football program under Coach Paul “Bear” Bryant.

• He served as US Secretary of Health, Education and Welfare in President Gerald Ford’s administration where he worked on restoring public confidence in government. He then spent four decades as CEO of the Kettering Foundation, engaging citizens worldwide in the democratic process.

Imani Perry, Ph.D.

Dr. Imani Perry is a Birmingham, Alabama native, scholar of law, literature, history and cultural studies as well as a creative nonfiction author.

• In 2022, she won the National Book Award for Nonfiction for South to America: A Journey Below the Mason-Dixon to Understand the Soul of a Nation. The book was also selected in 2022 as the inaugural title of the Birmingham Reads Project.

• She’s written five books, including Looking for Lorraine: The Radiant and Radical Life of Lorraine Hansberry, which won the 2019 PEN Jacqueline Bograd Weld Award for Biography

DON’T MISS IT: Books by the 2023 Alabama Humanities Fellows will be available for purchase during the event, along with books related to this year’s theme—Healing History. Dr. Imani Perry will sign copies of her books immediately following the main program. 

Another big name

You’ll also see another big name during the event—CNN anchor and Prattville, Alabama native Kaitlan Collins. Collins will act as moderator, leading the honorees in a wide-ranging conversation exploring how examining our past can offer healing and strength for Alabama’s communities today.

“These three people know about, and greatly care about, this state. Each of our honorees has made the humanities their life’s work. And they use what they learn—about both our past and our present—to help us strengthen our bonds with each other, and with the communities we call home.”

Chuck Holmes, Executive Director, Alabama Humanities Alliance

Alabama Humanity Alliance’s new initiative

Another big moment during the 2023 Alabama Colloquium is the introduction of AHA’s newest collaboration, Healing History.

This exciting initiative strives to strengthen our communities and state by creating opportunities that help break down barriers and build bridges between people of different race, religion, political affiliation and more.

Check out the video below showing a pilot project of the Healing History initiative.

Take part in this bonus experience, Oct. 23 at 3PM

Following the Alabama Colloquium on October 23 at 3PM, AHA is offering a unique bonus experience—a listening tour of Wallace House in Shelby County.

Built in 1841, the Wallace House was once part of a 5,000-acre cotton plantation, which was worked by nearly 100 enslaved people.

Today, in hopes of creating a space for mutual understanding and reconciliation, descendants of the home’s white landowners and enslaved Black population are working together to examine their shared history.

This is a limited-capacity event, so be quick and secure your tickets now!

Are you ready to celebrate the power of the humanities to lift up Alabama? Join the Alabama Humanities Alliance during the 2023 Alabama Colloquium on Monday, October 23. Tickets sell out fast—get yours now.

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