In celebration of African-American History Month, Dr. Gerald Early, a noted essayist and American culture critic, will discuss what African-American literature is and if we still need it. Early is the Merle Kling professor of modern letters in the English department and director of the Center for the Humanities at Washington University in St. Louis, Mo. He has appointments in the African and African-American studies and American culture studies programs at Washington University. Early is a member of the board of trustees of the National Humanities Center and was the John Hope Franklin fellow in 2001-2002. A book signing will follow. Copies of his works will be available for purchasing. This event is for adults and teens.