Penn State Altoona announces 2026 African American Read-In events

ALTOONA, Pa. — The annual African American Read-In at Penn State Altoona will take place on Monday, Feb. 23, in the Misciagna Family Center for Performing Arts. This year’s theme is “Black Female Celebrity.”

“Monday Marathon,” an open mic event held in the Titelman Study of the Misciagna Center, will run from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Readings and lectures will take place celebrating African American female celebrity. Students, faculty, staff and community members are invited to drop in throughout the day to participate or listen.

Participants are asked to sign up for a time slot and may bring something of their own choosing or select from a variety of books that will be available at the event. Readers also will receive a free T-shirt with the 2026 Read-In logo on it, while supplies last.

From 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. Jeanine Staples-Dixon, professor of literacy and language, African American studies, and women’s, gender and sexuality studies at Penn State, will offer the keynote presentation. Staples-Dixon focuses on dismantling supremacist patriarchies through research, teaching and coaching. Her work exposes impetuses for various personal and social ills such as racism, sexism and ableism.

All events are free, open to the public and sponsored by the African American Read-In at Penn State Altoona.