The Springfield African American Read-In (AARI) will hold its Ninth Annual Program on Thursday, February 22, 2018, 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm at the the Springfield Art Museum (1111 E. Brookside Drive).The Springfield AARI is a local initiative that is part of a national literacy initiative started in 1990 by the Black Caucus of the National Council of Teachers of English to promote African American writers and strives to make reading an integral part of Black History Month celebrations. The Springfield African American Read-In (AARI) is a collaborative effort of the Missouri State University Libraries, the Springfield-Greene County Library District, Springfield Public Schools, Drury University, and the Springfield Branch of the NAACP. 

The Ninth Annual Springfield AARI Program premiers “Why I kneel, a One-Act Play” written by Kiesha McMillen, a senior theater major at Drury University. The program highlights readings by the winners of the First Poetry Workshop and Slam Competition for 8th through 12th graders that was  hosted by the Springfield AARI and facilitated by Taylor Vinson, MSU senior and communications major. In addition, the program features musical selections by the Reed Academy Middle School Choir and the Springfield Youth Community Choir. The event includes door prizes and refreshments  and is free and open to a general public.