OLAF 17

Langston Hughes

The East Central University Department of English and Languages and the Center of Continuing Education and Community Services hosted the 17th Annual Oklahoma Literary Arts Festival on Thursday, Nov. 8, 2012, at the Hallie Brown Ford Fine Arts Center as part of the Scissortail Arts Series. The keynote presentation of the day, "On the Road with Langston Hughes," was performed by acclaimed Chautauqua historical interpreter Charles Everett Pace.  Langston Hughes was the first African American writer to make his living exclusively from his writing. A true “people’s poet,” Hughes demonstrated how humor can be marshaled as an effective tool of education, entertainment, and social critique. 

The Oklahoma Literary Arts Festival offers for high school students and teachers a series of workshops provided by members of the ECU English faculty, students, and guest artists (from 9:30-11:40 a.m.) as well as the general session (from 12:00-1:15 p.m.).  Click here to find a list of the workshop sessions offered this year.

Charles Everett Pace

Pace, a performance scholar-artist, is one of the nation’s leading solo historical performers. His body of work explores how African American leaders have helped to advance democracy in America.   Through performance, Pace has portrayed Frederick Douglass (1818-1895), Booker T. Washington (1858-1915), W.E. B. Du Bois (1868-1963), Langston Hughes (1902-1967) and Malcolm X (1925-1965).

A 17-year veteran of the Great Plains Chautauqua Society, Inc. (1991-2006), Pace has worked as a program advisor/student development specialist for the Texas Union, University of Texas at Austin. He has also taught at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Purdue University and Centre College (Ky.).

Pace graduated from Texarkana College in Texas with an associate’s degree, University of Texas with a bachelor of science in biology, and Purdue University with a master’s in American studies – history and anthropology.

Pace and fellow Chautauqua scholar George Frien gave the keynote address at the final Presidential debate between Senators John McCain and Barack Obama at Hofstra University, Long Island, New York in 2008. Pace also performed at the 2000 Vice-Presidential Debate at Centre College in Danville, Ky.