Huntsville. Ala. (March 6, 2012) — LaQuita Middleton a writer, spoken word artist and African American history enthusiast will perform at The University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAHuntsville) in celebration of Women’s History Month on Thursday, March 8.
Middleton’s presentation begins at 11:10 a.m., in the University Center Exhibit Hall. The Office of Multicultural Affairs and the Honors Program sponsor her visit. The performance is free and open to the public.
Middleton is executive director and master guide of Visionary Civil Rights Heritage Tours in Birmingham. She created the company that specializes in presenting African American history using the performing arts in July 2010. The company’s first major venture, an originally written full-length black history stage play, “A Charge to Keep,” garnered rave reviews and opened to a sold-out crowd last year. The company also features 30-minute theatrical productions and many other educational services.
A graduate of Berea College, she began writing short stories in elementary school and was introduced to the world of spoken word performance in high school. While a student at Berea, a college mentor urged her to compose her own spoken word pieces. Soon thereafter, she became a mainstay performer in many college programs.
Before opening her company Middleton worked in the Education Department of the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute serving in tour, docent, and volunteer management. She reached a milestone when some of her works were featured in the Birmingham Public Library’s Black History Month series; Cox Radio 98.7 KISS FM Black History Month 2009; Birmingham Civil Rights Institute’s The Women Gather Series & Freedom’s SistersTour; she was awarded the title “Best Poet of 2009” by Alabama Underground Awards; Best Poem of 2007 Southern Conference on African American Studies.
For more information about Middleton’s visit to UAHuntsville, please call 256.824-6822.