University of Memphis professors, administrators, and students will join teachers, children, and community leaders as readers for the African American Read-In Chain on Friday, February 22. The Memphis Link event will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Artitudes art gallery, 8950 Highway 64.

Like many Read-Ins across the country, the Memphis Link will celebrate the release of the 2008 heritage stamp of Charles W. Chesnutt, a distinguished 19th century author whose works will be brought to life by local actors. The event also will salute women authors, authors and illustrators of children's books, and literary works about artists who are on exhibit at Artitudes during Black History Month.

The goal of the Read-In Chain is to encourage children and young people to make reading a lifelong, life-enriching practice. The founder and national director of the event is Dr. Jerrie Scott, a literacy professor at the U of M.

Past Read-Ins have been held at schools, churches, libraries, barbershops, and homes.

Local event co-hosts are the U of M Reading Center, faculty in the Instruction and Curriculum Leadership and the English departments at the U of M, the U of M Student International Reading Association, and the Tennessee Council of Teachers of English.

Everyone is invited, but space is limited. Those interested in attending must register at umdrive@memphis.edu/jcscott/www/aari