Read about Book-in-a-Day, Kwame's Innovative Student-run Publishing and Literacy Program

Kwame Alexander is available for keynote speeches, writing workshops, middle and high school performances and workshops, and writer-in-residence projects. Most recently, Kwame piloted a publishing program for students called Book-in-a-Day. Kwame got a chance to talk about this amazing program when he gave the keynote speech at the 2006 NYSEC conference, the 2007 SCLA Conference, and the 2007 VATE Conference.. Kwame has performed poetry, and workshopped with students and teachers all across the country, at schools and conferences including:

Oscar Smith High School, Chesapeake, VA
Cass Technical High School, Detroit High School
Long Island City High School, Astoria, NY
Stafford Middle School, Plattsburg, NY
West Babylon Junior High School, Long Island, NY
Crossland High School, Temple Hills, MD
Great Bridge High School, Chesapeake, VA
Great Bridge Intermediate, Chesapeake, VA
Washington & Lee High School, Arlington, VA
Central High School, Little Rock, AK
Duke Ellington School for the Arts, Washington, DC
Wilson High School, Washington, DC
Oyster School, Washington, DC
Niskayuna High School, Niskayuna, NY
New York State English Council-Keynote Speaker
Virginia Teachers of English (Fall '07)-Keynote Speaker
South Carolina Library Association (Fall '07)-Keynote Speaker
National Council for Teachers of English (Fall '07)

"Every teacher has come to the media center today to rave, absolutely RAVE about your poetry sessions and about you! We have never seen the students relate so well and respond so completely to anyone! You have inspired us. Truly, you were a gift to our students and staff!!!" —Kathy Allen, Librarian and Media Director, Oscar Smith High School, Chesapeake, VA

"What a gift it's been to have you with us at Stafford this week! Students and teachers alike raved about your presentations in the auditorium. A number of teachers told me how much they appreciated the fact that your presentations seemed to be tailored to each audience. You have a unique ability to connect with students from so many backgrounds. The students who attended your writing workshops came away with a new energy and enthusiasm for poetry " —Kate Messner, English Department Chair, Stafford Middle School, Plattsburg, NY

Students not only enjoy learning about and listening to different kinds of poetry, but they also get the chance to publish a book of their work. Here is one of the books that students have published under Kwame's guidance.

The name says it all. "Book in a Day" is both the title and the ultimate goal of a literacy and publishing project launched in May 2006 by poet, Kwame Alexander. Alexander worked in conjunction with Dana Davidson, YA novelist, and AP English Teacher at Cass Technical High School (Detroit, MI), and over 150 of her students during the course of a single school day, teaching and coaching them through the entire book publishing process-from editing to cover design to dealing with book printers. And the end result? By the end of the day, the students had a printer-ready digital file; and a week later, UPS delivered copies of Unspoken, a 132-page trade paperback anthology of their poems, quotes, and creative non-fiction.

Read Article on Kwame at Stafford Middle School

Kwame's Presentations/Workshops for Middle and High School Students

Kwame's Professional Development Workshops

If your school, conference, library, community group, or church would like more information on the workshops, performances, lectures and other presentations offered by Kwame Alexander , please, contact Stephanie at ssa@kwamealexander.com