An Interview with Dr. Carolyn S. Brodie

2009 Ohio Advocate of Literacy Award Winner

The 25th Annual Virginia Hamilton Conference

Dr. Carolyn S. Brodie, Director 

Why was the Virginia Hamilton Conference created and when did it begin?  

In the early 1980s several Kent State University faculty including Dr. Anthony L. Manna of the College of Education and Dr. Clara Jackson of the School of Library and Information Science came together revive a children’s literature conference that had been previously held at Kent State University.  As the group began to plan, they decided not to establish a children’s literature conference  with a general focus, but instead to have a focus on multicultural literature for children and young adults.   The group also decided the conference should named in honor of Ohio native, Virginia Hamilton who had published first-rate books for young people and who exemplified the cultural theme focus. 

The first conference was held on April 12, 1985 and Virginia Hamilton presented the inaugural keynote address. In her speech, she talked about the African American traditions that had influenced her work and traced her journey as a writer who explores the experiences of individuals within the context of their special cultural identity and history. About 250 teachers, educators, librarians and students of literature attended that first conference.

Today, the Virginia Hamilton Conference is the longest-running event in the United States to focus exclusively on multicultural literature for children and young adults. The Conference celebrated a 25th anniversary on April 2-3, 2009. 

The conference continues to reflect a commitment to promoting cultural awareness and affirming cultural pride while addressing the array of issues which surround the concept of culture. 

How has it grown since then?

We have sort of a “Virginia Hamilton Conference” there is never a hesitation when potential keynote speakers are called---indeed they often speak of how honored they are to have been invited the “Hamilton Conference.” Over the years more than forty influential authors and illustrators who work in the field of multicultural literature for young people have graced the stage at the Virginia Hamilton Conference. Some have come more than once, such as Ashley Bryan, Jacqueline Woodson, Jerry Pinkney, Angela Johnson, Patricia McKissack and Walter Dean Myers. The conference keynoters have had a host of diverse messages with some of the most memorable as Tom Feelings, Joseph Bruchac, Russell Freedman, Leo and Diane Dillon, Barry Moser and Patricia Polacco. The conference has welcomed new talent and learned from the presentations of Kadir Nelson, Javaka Steptoe and Jaime Adoff.  The conference regularly has over 350 conference attendees made up from the fields of education and librarianship. 

During the 25 years of the Conference can you describe one or two memorable moments?

A very memorable moment for many conference attendees were always Virginia Hamilton’s Reflections presentation that were always at the end of the conference day. Virginia would reflect on what had transpired during the past year and then she would talk about her writing in the past months. The special treat is that she would always read a passage from something she was working on at the moment or a book that was about to be published, so our audience would be the first to hear the passage read aloud. In 2010 at the 26th conference, we will revive the “Reflections” portion of the conference program with Virginia’s son, Jaime Adoff sharing events from his past year and also reading a passage from some of his work that is yet to be published.

We’ve also had keynotes who made us laugh such as the presentation by Tomie dePaola. Ashley Bryan has all of us singing “What a Wonderful World” at the end of the day one year---what a wonderful way to end a successful, meaningful day. Patricia Polacco amazed us at the stories she shared from her childhood. Jane Yolen inspired us to do better and be better for the young people we all strive to help and guide.

Hundreds of workshop presenters over the years have provided presentations on a huge range of diverse topics. Exploration of teen literature in many directions by John Jarvey and Rollie Welch has been a feature the last several years. And, so many other topics from storytelling to cultural literature updates to reader’s theatre to the presentation of research studies.  There have also been many wonderful creative performances such as the spirituals sung by Chrystal Carr Jeter, stories told by Jocelyn Dabney and opera sung by Leigh Dillon this past year for the 25th anniversary. There have been wonderful children’s and teens groups who performed over the years as well as consummate professionals and university ensembles. 

How are the Conference's Literary and Essay Awards selected?

The Conference Advisory Board confers two awards each year:  Virginia Hamilton Essay Award was established in 1991, recognizes a journal article published in a given year which makes a significant contribution to professional literature concerning multicultural literary experiences for youth. Members of the Virginia Hamilton Conference Advisory Board select the winning essay from among those which were nominated.  Virginia Hamilton Literary Award was established in 1998 by the Advisory Board of Kent State University’s Virginia Hamilton Conference, this award recognizes an American author or illustrator whose books demonstrate artistic excellence and make a significant contribution to the field of multicultural literature for children and adolescents. The award is conferred annually at the conference.  

What does it mean to the Virginia Hamilton Conference to win the Ohio Advocate of Literacy Art Award?  

Since this prestigious award is given to honor grassroots efforts to advocate, promote, and celebrate reading, literacy, and the culture of the book within the State of Ohio, we are honored to have our conference recognized in this way. We are also very proud of Kent State’s commitment to promoting cultural awareness through cultural literacy and the institution’s continuing commitment to the Virginia Hamilton Conference.