Third World Press celebrates 45th anniversary in September

Madhubuti with Johnson in 1978. Photo by Phil Groshong

 

The Chicago-based literary service, Third World Press, is celebrating its 45th anniversary this fall, and founder and publisher Haki R. Madhubuti has a message which has been edited for this posting.




Literature saved my life. Art (poetry, music, visual, dance, theatre, fiction and non-fiction) gave me a life. If I had not learned to read, and by extension embraced writing, critical thinking and listening (i.e. literacy in all of its various permutations), I as a poet and Third World Press would not exist.

I came to Black institutional development through Black street struggle and by recognizing early that institutions represent the strength of any community. In fact, a peoples’ development can easily be measured by the positively functioning institutions in their communities. Third World Press has been one of those institutions serving the nation for 45 years.

Some books published by Third World Press listed on its website.

As we approach our anniversary month in September, we are asking our readers and supporters to join our 45-Day Friendship Drive. Every week from Monday through Friday, from June to August, we here at Third World Press will be reaching out to our friends with messages about our authors, suggested readings and comments on current events. We are asking for a $45 donation to help Third World Press continue its mission to educate, promote literacy, and provide an institutional home for Black and progressive literature.

Please visit https://rally.org/TWP45 to join our 45-Day Friendship Drive, or just take a moment to send a check for $45 to: Third World Press, 7822 S. Dobson Ave.,(or P.O. Box 19730) Chicago, IL 60619; or call (773) 651-0700 to make a credit card donation today.

Thank you in advance for helping us to keep literacy and Black culture alive and maintaining one of the most significant independent Black institutions to emerge out of the 20^th century into the bright possibilities of the 21^st century.

For our children and more,

Haki R. Madhubuti
poet, founder of Third World Press
former Ida B. Wells- Barnett University Professor
at DePaul University and former University Distinguished
Professor at Chicago State University

Read my 2003 salute to Haki at http://www.wingcomltd.com/Articles/Hakihistory.htm.

©2012 Tomi Johnson. All rights reserved.