Jacqueline Woodson has helped redefine what exceptional children's literature looks like with stories of strong, independent girls, children of every class and color, and families of every shape and size. Her writing invites the next generation to stretch its thinking about racism, American history, and its own coming-of-age, in a way that is at once inclusive, heartbreaking and uplifting. During this special Cubberley Lecture in honor of the Graduate School of Education's centennial, Woodson will read passages from her diverse body of work, share her personal story about the power of language and learning to change lives, and discuss her lifelong journey as a writer.

Woodson is the 2014 National Book Award Winner for her New York Times bestselling memoir, Brown Girl Dreaming. Recipient of the Newbery and Coretta Scott King awards, she was named the Young People's Poet Laureate in 2015 by The Poetry Foundation. She is the author of more than two dozen books for children, young adults and adults, including The Other Side, Each Kindness, Coming On Home Soon, Another Brooklyn and Miracle's Boys, which received the Los Angeles Times Book Prize and was adapted into a miniseries directed by Spike Lee.  Born in Columbus, Ohio, Woodson spent her early life in Greenville, S.C. Her family moved to Brooklyn, N.Y. when she was seven. She lives there today with her family.  Follow #CubberleyLecture to join the conversation

Harry J. Elam, Jr., Senior Vice Provost, has served as director of the Introduction to Humanities program, the Institute for Diversity in the Arts and the Committee on Black Performing Arts. Elam's scholarly work focuses on contemporary American drama, particularly African American and Chicano theater. While at Stanford, he pioneered the Leland Scholars Program, a summer bridge program for incoming students from under-resourced high schools, and has received six teaching awards, including the Humanities and Sciences Dean's Distinguished Teaching Award and the Bing Teaching Fellowship for Undergraduate Teaching.

This event is made possible by the generous support of:

Seating/Tickets: Tickets are required for this free event. The Will Call desk will open at 5:00 p.m. in front of the Graduate School of Education in case you asked to have your tickets left there. Seating is general admission, first-come, first-served and subject to availability. Auditorium doors open at 5:45 p.m. If you are not in the venue by 6:05 p.m. your seat may be given to a non-ticket holder. If you ordered tickets and can no longer attend, please email the Stanford Ticket Office at ticketorders@stanford.edu to release your seat(s). 

Book signing: Ms. Woodson is looking forward to signing books. Brown Girl Dreaming and Another Brooklyn will be available for sale by the Stanford Bookstore at the event. 

Parking: Parking is free after 4:00 pm on weekdays. We recommend parking in the Tressider Lots, or Parking Structure #6 (below Wilbur Field). If you need a disability-related accommodation, please contact Sheila Sanchez in the Diversity & Access Office at (650) 725-0326, or sheilas@stanford.edu. Requests should be made by May 9.

Tickets are required for this free event. Please register HERE. See below for additional details.

Where

485 Lasuen Mall
Stanford, CA 94305