Poet b.f. maiz Visits OWU for Artist-in-Residence MLK Tribute

January 15, 2002

DELAWARE, OHIO -- Poet b.f. maiz will visit Ohio Wesleyan as Artist-in-Residence, in tribute to Martin Luther King, Jr. On Jan. 18, b.f. maiz will offer his "Voice of the Poet" at OWU's Tea and Trumpets gathering at 4 p.m. in the Hamilton-Williams Campus Center, and an exciting presentation of original poetry celebrating life, love and the human struggle. He will also present a workshop entitled "Poetry, Prayer, Humor and Time: For Those Recovering from Loss," focusing on the aftermath of the Sept. 11 attacks, on Jan. 19, from 1-3 p.m. in the Hamilton-Williams Campus Center. A keynote address by b.f. maiz, entitled "Martin's Dream: A Blueprint for Community," will be presented on Jan. 21 at 7 p.m. in the Hamilton-Williams Campus Center.

Born in the South, b.f. maiz also has spent part of his life in the Midwest (Chicago). He writes that his academic intellect was shaped by three great universities -- Minnesota, Kansas and the University of Chicago. His spirituality, as he says, was "nurtured by the emotional sermons of missionary Baptists and the logic and reason of the African Methodist Lectures." The spirituals, gospel songs, jazz and blues that are part of the African-American culture, awakened his soul. And, as b.f.maiz conveys, his soul and his spirit and intellect have been enriched by poetry, novels and dramas of American, European and African writers.

Serving as Special Consultant to the Vice President for Academic Affairs at the University of North Texas, b.f. maiz was also Campus Lay-Minister for Cuyahoga Community College in Cleveland for seven years. He has been Resident Artist at more than a dozen universities and has spoken and presented his poetry at over 200 colleges and universities. Author of five books of poetry, b.f. maiz was awarded the Wesleyan Peace and Justice Award by the Wesleyan Peace committee in 1994, for his continuing work with youth conflict resolution -- an award held by only five other Americans.

For further information about b.f. maiz and his appearances at OWU, contact either the Office of University Communications at 740-368-3335 or the Office of Minority Student Affairs at 740-368-3142.