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Words as Bridges: a Poetic Adventure in Connection featuring award winning author and literary activist Jeffrey Blount and poet and conflict resolution specialist S.A. Borders-Shoemaker
About the Virtual Adventure
“This is precisely the time when artists go to work…We speak, we write, we do language. That is how civilizations heal. – Toni Morrison
In celebration of National Poetry Month, Adventures by the Book® invites you to a timely and thoughtful virtual conversation exploring the power of words to connect, heal, and open dialogue across differences.
Join award-winning author and literary activist Jeffrey Blount, together with poet and conflict-resolution specialist Samantha Borders Shoemaker for an intimate evening of readings, reflection, and conversation centered on how poetry, books, and the written word can help us listen more deeply—and engage one another with greater empathy—at a time when meaningful connection can feel increasingly hard to come by.
Whether you love poetry or have always felt a little unsure about it, this conversation is designed to be welcoming and accessible, focusing on meaning, connection, and personal response rather than formal analysis. The evening will close with a gentle, optional invitation for attendees to carry the conversation forward beyond the event in a simple, personal way.
About the Authors and Books
Jeffrey Blount is the award-winning author of three books, including The Emancipation of Evan Walls. He is also an Emmy award winning television director, directing such news programs at Meet the Press, NBC Nightly News, Today and other special programs.
Jeffrey was a contributor for HuffPost and has been published in The Washington Post, The Grio.com and other publications, commenting on issues of race, social justice and writing. He is also an award-winning documentary scriptwriter for films and interactives that are now on display in the Smithsonian Museum of African American History and Culture. America I AM: The African American Imprint at the National Constitution Center, The Museum at Bethel Woods, at the site of the 1969 Woodstock Music and Arts Fair, and others. These projects have won Cine Golden Eagle Awards, Muse Awards and a Thea Award.
His most recent award-winning book, Mr. Jimmy from Around the Way, is a story about failure, self-discovery, empowerment, and the possibility of redemption.
To schedule a book club visit with Jeffrey or any of our authors on Adventures by the Book®:
S.A. (Samantha) Borders Shoemaker is an author, poet, and PhD, and works in conflict resolution and suicide prevention. She has over fifteen publications in both national and international outlets.
She shares her life with her husband and their two corgis, and she’s an avid equestrian who likes to ride her mustang, Rosa.
Waiting for Scotland is her second full-length poetry collection about reconciling the past with hopes for the future.
Registration
While this event is FREE and open to the public, registration is required in order to receive a Zoom link (to be emailed to you three days prior to the event).
