E. Ethelbert Miller facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
E. Ethelbert Miller
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at the 2013 Fall for the Book
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Born | Eugene Ethelbert Miller November 20, 1950 Bronx, New York, U.S. |
Occupation | Professor, poet, literary activist |
Language | English |
Alma mater | Howard University |
Genre | Poetry; memoir |
E. Ethelbert Miller, born on November 20, 1950, is an important African-American poet, teacher, and activist. He lives in Washington, D.C.. He has written many poetry books and two memoirs. He also edits Poet Lore magazine and hosts a radio show called On the Margin.
Contents
Life and Work
Early Life and Education
E. Ethelbert Miller was born in the Bronx, New York. He went to Howard University and earned his bachelor's degree there.
A Career in Literature
Miller has written 13 books of poetry and two memoirs. He has also edited three collections of poems by different writers. His poems and writings have appeared in many magazines, like Beltway Poetry Quarterly and Sojourners.
He started the Ascension Poetry Reading Series. This is one of the oldest places in Washington, D.C., where poets can share their work. For over 40 years, he directed the African-American Resource Center at Howard University. This center helps people learn about African-American culture and history.
Miller has taught at many schools. These include American University, George Mason University, and University of Nevada, Las Vegas. He also worked with a program called Operation Homecoming. This program helped soldiers write about their experiences during wartime.
Community Involvement
Miller is very active in his community. He is the chairperson for the Institute for Policy Studies. He also serves on the boards of other groups like Split This Rock and the Writer's Center. Since 2002, he has been a co-editor of Poet Lore magazine. This is the oldest poetry magazine in the United States.
He used to be the head of the Humanities Council of Washington, D.C. He has also been part of other important organizations. These include the PEN American Center and the PEN/Faulkner Foundation. He hosts a weekly radio show on WPFW called On the Margin.
Special Recognition
E. Ethelbert Miller has been honored in special ways. In 1979, the Mayor of Washington, D.C. declared September 28 as "E. Ethelbert Miller Day." This was a special day to celebrate his contributions. Later, in 2001, the Mayor of Jackson, Tennessee, also declared an "E. Ethelbert Miller Day."
His writings and important papers are kept at Emory & Henry College and The George Washington University.
Awards and Honors
E. Ethelbert Miller has received many awards for his work:
- 1979: September 28 was named "E. Ethelbert Miller Day" by the Mayor of Washington, D.C.
- 1982: He received the Mayor's Art Award for Literature.
- 1988: He was given the Public Humanities Award.
- 1993: He won the Columbia Merit Award.
- 1994: He was made an Honorary Citizen of Baltimore.
- 1994: He won the PEN Oakland Josephine Miles Award for his book In Search of Color Everywhere.
- 1995: He received the O. B. Hardison, Jr. Poetry Prize.
- 1996: He was given an honorary doctorate degree in literature from Emory & Henry College.
- 1997: He received the Stephen Henderson Poetry Award.
- 2001: May 21 was declared "E. Ethelbert Miller Day" by the Mayor of Jackson, Tennessee.
- 2003: His book Fathering Words was chosen for a special "one book, one city" reading program in D.C.
- 2003: First Lady Laura Bush honored him at the White House.
- 2004: He received a Fulbright Scholarship.
- 2015: He was added to the Washington, D.C. Hall of Fame.
- 2016: He won the AWP George Garrett Award for his community service in literature. He also received the D.C. Mayor's Arts Award for Distinguished Honor.
- 2018: He was inducted into Gamma Xi Phi, a fraternity for artists.