A Conversation with Clint Smith, Author of How the Word is Passed: A Reckoning with the History of Slavery Across America

On Tuesday, January 16, 2024, the AYCGL and Oprah Winfrey Program co-sponsored a virtual conversation with Clint Smith. Dr. Smith is the author of the New York Times bestseller, How the Word is Passed: A Reckoning with the History of Slavery Across America, which won the National Book Critics Circle Award for Nonfiction and was named one the New York Times 10 Best Books of 2021. Dr. Smith also authored the New York Times bestselling poetry collection Above Ground and the award-winning poetry collection Counting Descent. He is a staff writer at The Atlantic. Dr. Smith presented on the topic, The Poetics of Racial Healing: Holding the Pain and Possibilities Together. Dr. Smith also participated in a panel discussion/Q&A with students from participating schools. Oprah Winfrey scholar, Calvin Bell, engaged Dr. Smith with questions that included an inquiry into how scholars, teachers, and practitioners can challenge the punitive practices that negatively impact students of color within the education system. Dr. Smith’s engagement was informed, thoughtful, and nuanced in addressing paths to racial healing.