The Indianapolis Public Library African American History Committee in support of the Center for Black Literature & Culture Present Fall Fest and Slammin' Rhymes Challenge XX!
Special Guest
Entrepreneur, engineer, physician, educator, humanitarian and former NASA astronaut, Dr. Mae Jemison is at the forefront of integrating the physical and social sciences with art and culture to ignite innovation and build meaningful solutions to the world’s critical problems. Dr. Jemison, the first woman of color in the world to go into space, served six years as a NASA astronaut and flew as the Science Mission Specialist about the joint mission NASA-Japanese space agency space shuttle Spacelab J. Jemison leads 100 Year Starship (100YS), a nonprofit global initiative to assure that capabilities for human travel beyond our solar system to another star exist within the next 100 years while transforming life on Earth.
Slammin' Rhymes Challenge
In addition to Dr. Jemison, local youth will perform their winning entries from this year’s Slammin' Rhymes Challenge, a contest for poets, rappers, and spoken word artists in grades 6-12. Write your inspiring thoughts on this year’s theme “Strength.” Entry Deadline: Saturday, October 31, 2026.
This event is free and open to the public and made possible by The Indianapolis Foundation Library Fund, J. Steve & Donna D. Talley Fund, and The Dr. Michael R. Twyman Endowment Fund through gifts to The Indianapolis Public Library Foundation.
AGE GROUP: | All Ages |
EVENT TYPE: | Lecture/Panel Discussion | Concert/Performance | Center for Black Literature and Culture | Author Visit |
As the hub of the Indianapolis Public Library system, Central Library showcases renowned architecture and services. The original 1917 building, designed by Paul Cret and constructed of Indiana limestone in the Greek Doric style, was considered one of the most outstanding secular buildings in the U.S. Its six-story glass and steel-framed addition, designed by Evans Woollen, opened in 2007.
