Holy Family University will launch the fourth year of its Distinguished Writers Series when it welcomes former Philadelphia Poet Laureate Yolanda Wisher on Oct. 4 at 6:30 PM in the Education and Technology Center Auditorium, located at 9801 Frankford Avenue in Philadelphia.

The event is free and open to the public. 

The Distinguished Writers Series is led by assistant professor and program director Keith Kopka and assistant professor Raena Shirali. 

Wisher is the author of “Monk Eats an Afro” and co-editor of the anthology “Peace is a Haiku Song” with mentor Sonia Sanchez. She was named the inaugural Poet Laureate of Montgomery County in 1999 and the third Poet Laureate of Philadelphia for 2016 and 2017. Wisher teaches poetry workshops for all ages in a variety of settings.

“We are thrilled to continue Holy Family’s Distinguished Writers Series as it offers an opportunity for our students to gain exposure to and knowledge from a diverse group of accomplished writers,” Kopka said.  “The series bolsters our Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing program and offers a unique opportunity for personal interaction and discussion.”

Previous artists featured in the series include R.O. Kwon, Ananda Lima, Raquel Salas Rivera, Carmen Maria Machado, Krys Malcolm Belc, Airea D. Matthews, and Torrey Pines, among others.

The Holy Family University Distinguished Writers Series is committed to bringing visiting authors and scholars to the Northeast Philadelphia campus each academic year for free, public readings and student-centered events as a way to promote diversity and social awareness.

Learn more about the upcoming appearance at Holy Family University.

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