Writer Paul Beatty to Give Reading During Black History Month at Holy Cross

WORCESTER, Mass. – Writer Paul Beatty will give a reading on Wednesday, Feb. 21, at 4:30 p.m. in the Browsing Room of Dinand Library. Sponsored by African American Studies, the reading is free and open to the public.

The author of two collections of verse, "Big Bank Take Little Bank" and "Joker, Joker, Deuce," and two novels, "Tuff" and "The White Boy Shuffle," Beatty has been labeled the "premier bard of hip-hop."

The New York-based writer draws from popular culture in his poems and novels. There are countless references, ranging from hip-hop and jazz to comic books, kung-fu films and basketball obsessions in his writing.

Beatty received an M.F.A. in creative writing from Brooklyn College, City University of New York, where he studied with poet Allen Ginsberg.