10/16/2025
An Afternoon of Poetry to Honor Pulitzer Prize Nominee Professor Latorial Faison
Petersburg Arts Council to Host Distinguished Celebration and Book Release at the Petersburg Public Library Event Center
Petersburg, VA — November 2025. The Petersburg Arts Council proudly announces An Afternoon of Poetry: Celebrating Professor Latorial Faison, an elegant literary celebration honoring the Pulitzer Prize nomination of acclaimed poet, educator, and author Professor Latorial Faison. The event will take place on Saturday, November 15, 2025, from 12:00 PM to 3:30 PM at the Petersburg Public Library Event Center, marking a momentous occasion for our region’s emerging arts and literary community.
This distinguished celebration will also commemorate the release of Professor Faison’s latest collection, Nursery Rhymes in Black — a powerful reimagining of cultural storytelling through the lens of Black history, resilience, and identity. The afternoon promises an unforgettable blend of artistry, scholarship, and community spirit.
Guests will be treated to live poetry readings, musical interludes, and a featured reading by Professor Faison herself, followed by an intimate book signing and fellowship reception. The program will feature performances by students from local students , alongside local and national poets presenting original works inspired by themes of heritage, creativity, and liberation.
“Professor Faison’s voice carries both echoes of our history and the brilliance of tomorrow,” said Demetria Harris for the Petersburg Arts Council. “Her work reminds us that poetry is not merely words on a page — it is a living testament to culture, memory, and power.”
As a Pulitzer Prize nominee, Professor Faison continues to illuminate the global literary landscape through her masterful command of language and her devotion to amplifying underrepresented voices. Her brilliant work, Nursery Rhymes in Black, extends this legacy, bridging the past and present through lyrical storytelling that both educates and inspires.
This event represents more than a celebration of one artist’s success — it stands as a cultural homecoming, a recognition of Petersburg’s commitment to advancing in art, education, and literary achievement.
Admission to An Afternoon of Poetry is free and open to the public, though space is limited. Guests must register on Eventbrite and to arrive early for the Meet & Greet Reception beginning at 12:00 PM.
Event Details
What: An Afternoon of Poetry: Celebrating Professor Latorial Faison
Occasion: Pulitzer Prize Nomination & Book Release of Nursery Rhymes in Black
When: Saturday, November 15, 2025 | 12:00 PM – 3:30 PM
Where: Petersburg Public Library Event Center, 201 West Washington Street, Petersburg, VA
Presented by: The Petersburg Arts Council
Media Contact Petersburg Arts Council
Email: [email protected]
Celebrating Professor Latorial Faison’s Pulitzer Prize Nomination & Release of her newest book of poetry, “Nursery Rhymes In Black.”
