Thanks to all who’ve registered for the 2022-2023 CHP Kelroy Convocation event on Wednesday, November 9! The event will begin at 5:30p sharp in Illini Union Rooms 314A and B (third floor). The event is held in the memory of Keith Kelroy, a former CHP student. Our amazing guest author this year is David Wright Faladé, novelist and Professor of English here at the University of Illinois. As usual for the Kelroy event, we’ll have dinner together, and the author will speak about his work. He’ll then have a Q and A, which we know will be robust, given how cool this book is.
If you have registered, you must pick up your free copy of Prof. Faladé’s amazing novel Black Cloud Rising as soon as possible, at the Honors House at 1205 W. Oregon! It is historical fiction: Prof. Faladé works with the true story of the African Brigade, a unit of formerly enslaved men who fought their former owners during the Civil War. He creates fictional characters to explore the history of enslavement, civil conflict in the United States, and relationships.The novel is suspenseful and compelling, and it is an easy read. Unfortunately, it is also in the category of book that is facing “book challenges” (= book bans) in school districts and public libraries around the country right now. You will not want to miss the chance to read it.Please read Black Cloud Rising before the event on Wednesday, November 9. This is part of the Convocation requirement for the CHP, and we know you will benefit tremendously from the entire experience.
Join us for an optional fun discussion of the book prior to Convocation led by Elisabeth Sandoval from the HSC Academic Engagement Committee on Monday, November 1 or Tuesday, November 2 from 5:00-6:00 p.m. at the Honors House. Sign up for a discussion on the CHP calendar at https://calendars.illinois.edu/detail/4957/33445561. We look forward to hearing your impressions of this year’s Convocation book!