Jazz, skin tips and vampires may not seem to have a lot in common, but Guthrie Ramsey, Susan Taylor, and L.A. Banks --all black Penn authors -- jointly presented their works on these respective subjects at a reading in Van Pelt Library last week.
Filled with jokes and laughter, the event, attended by about 50 people, prompted great praise.
Ramsey, who serves as an associate professor of music and director of graduate studies, read an excerpt from his book, Race Music, which explores the meaning of contemporary black music. His reading elicited many nods of recognition from the mostly black audience as he recalled vivid details from his childhood such as Sunday church services and jazz performances.
Following disarming jokes that the audience had come to hear Taylor rather than himself, Ramsey explained that his approach to black music is based on his multiple perspectives as an academic, a jazz musician and as someone raised in a working-class family.
The introduction of the next author, Taylor, included an impressive list of credentials, including an undergraduate degree from Penn, a medical degree from Harvard and the founding of The Skin of Color Center, which treats skin disease for people of color.
Presenting her book, Brown Skin: Dr. Susan Taylor's Prescription for Flawless Skin, Hair and Nails, Taylor cleared up misconceptions about skin, hair and nail care. In a question and answer session following her reading, audience members asked Taylor about everything from skin growths, to hair relaxers, to the worth of natural products.
Banks, the final speaker and a Wharton graduate who has authored 16 romance and horror novels --presented her novel Minion, a Vampire Huntress Legend. She wanted to "do Buffy with flava," she said, provoking widespread laughter in the audience. "I'm just a serial entrepreneur," Banks explained. She said that she first sat down to write when going through her divorce. "It was the only thing keeping me sane," she said.
Reflecting on the event, Taylor said that it addressed "a diversity of topics, sort of like Penn."
Those who attended the event praised the authors.
It was "the best library event I've ever attended," attendee Susanna Carson-Finnerly said. "It was very engaging. All the authors were hilarious."
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