GSU Global read-a-thon to spotlight Black literature from across the African Diaspora

Edvige Jean-François, the executive director of the Center for Studies on Africa and Its Diaspora (CSAD) at Georgia State University, discusses a global read-a-thon that’s being held in celebration of Black History Month. (LaShawn Hudson/WABE)

In honor of Black History Month, the Center for Studies on Africa and Its Diaspora (CSAD) at Georgia State University is hosting its annual global read-a-thon to celebrate literature from Africa and the African diaspora.

The free, live-streamed event is being held on Feb. 27 at 10 a.m. EST. Former CNN Anchor and White House correspondent Suzanne Malveaux will host the event, which will feature books from the United States, The Gambia, Germany and Colombia.

This year’s event theme is “the greatest of all time.”

On Friday’s edition of “Closer Look,” Edvige Jean-François, who serves as the executive director of CSAD, said judges will decide what literary work holds the title of ‘the greatest of all time.’ She further explained that Black literature is global and expressed the importance of engaging readers beyond the text, especially at a time when books are being banned across the U.S.