The Howard Gotlieb Archival Research Center and the Poetry Society of America host a discussion and poetry reading showcasing the distinctive voices in contemporary African-American Poetry, featuring Elizabeth Alexander, Sam Cornish, Toi Derricotte, Cornelius Eady, Nikki Giovanni, Major Jackson, Yusef Komunyakaa, Dawn Lundy Martin, Carl Phillips, Quincy Troupe, Sonia Sanchez and Afaa Michael Weaver.  Co-sponsored by Boston Review and Cave Canem. Running Time: 1:27:10.

Poet Michael Afaa Weaver discusses the current state of African-American poetry and his time studying under Michael Harper. Running Time: 3:19.

Poet Carl Phillips discusses the broadening definition of African-American poetry. Running Time: 1:14.

Poet Yusef Komunyakaa talks about the journey of African-American poetry from Phillis Wheatley to the present. Running Time: 5:41.

Poet Nikki Giovanni talks about the healing effect of poetry after the 2007 Virginia Tech shooting, and the role of rap in poetry. Running Time: 3:18.

Poet Elizabeth Alexander talks about her time at Boston University and the recent renaissance in African-American poetry.

Poet Major Jackson talks about documentary poetry in African-American poetry. Running Time: 1:18.

Poet Sonia Sanchez discusses the status of poetry after Martin Luther King, Jr.'s assassination and the influences on her poetry. Running Time: 2:49.

 HGARC explores the role of media in politics  in the 2008 presidential election. With Jonathan Alter, Newsweek; Tom Ashbrook, WBUR; David S. Bernstein, Boston Phoenix; Ida Lewis, Encore: American and Worldwide News; Renee Loth, Boston Globe; Debra Saunders, San Francisco Chronicle; and Ernie Suggs, Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Running Time: 1:58:05.