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Toni Morrison Writing Program

PVAMU welcomes Dr. Daniel Black as 2025–2026 Toni Morrison Writer-in-Residence

Daniel Black, Ph.D. PRAIRIE VIEW, Texas (Sept. 22, 2025) – Prairie View A&M University has announced that Dr. Daniel Black, award-winning novelist, professor, consultant, and mentor, will serve as the 2025–2026 Toni Morrison Writer-in-Residence. Dr. Black brings more than three decades of teaching experience in African American Studies at Clark Atlanta University, along [...]

Double the Degrees, Double the Drive: PV Grad Jayven Jean-Louis Leaves a Lasting Legacy at PVAMU

Jayven Jean-Louis '25 When Jayven Jean-Louis steps onto the graduation stage at Prairie View A&M University this spring, he won't just be receiving one degree—but two. With a Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communication and a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science, Jean-Louis exemplifies what it means to fuse logic with creativity and [...]

A Wordsmith Treasure: Celebrating Tayari Jones’ Transformative Year as PVAMU’s Writer-in-Residence

Photos by Jordan Guidry, Office for Marketing and Communications Intern PRAIRIE VIEW, Texas (April 18, 2025) – Tayari Jones’ final visit to Prairie View A&M University as the 2024–2025 Writer-in-Residence was more than a farewell—it was, in the words of one faculty leader, ā€œprophetic.ā€ From her first appearance on campus to her final [...]

PVAMU’s Top 15 Moments of 2024

2024 was a year to remember at Prairie View A&M University—one filled with hits that struck all the right chords. It was marked by groundbreaking achievements, inspiring milestones and transformative initiatives. From welcoming record-breaking numbers in enrollment and doctoral graduates to unveiling innovative spaces like the Solar Lab, and celebrating remarkable faculty, staff and students, [...]

Remembering PVAMU’s Inaugural Writer-in-Residence, Nikki Giovanni

PRAIRIE VIEW, Texas (Dec. 11, 2024) - The literary world has lost a towering figure in the arts.Ā  Nikki Giovanni, Poet, Spoken Word Artist, Activist Nikki Giovanni, one of the most celebrated African American poets and civil rights activists, has died at the age of 81.Ā  Ms. Giovanni, born Yolande Cornelia Giovanni Jr., [...]

TWOTH: A Visit with Tayari Jones and Tahir Murray

Prairie View A&M University welcomed its 2024-2025 Writer-in-Residence Tayari Jones to 'The Hill' for an inspiring program that brought together faculty, students and staff. Her session, 'Using Our Creativity to Create the World We Deserve,' gave a captivating glimpse into her journey from budding writer to New York Times bestselling author. On the same exciting [...]

Bestselling author, novelist Tayari Jones named PVAMU’s 2024-2025 Writer-in-Residence

ā€œIt’s among Tayari’s many gifts that she can touch us soul to soul with her words.ā€ – Oprah Winfrey Photo by Tyson Alan Horne PRAIRIE VIEW, Texas (Sept. 12, 2024) - Prairie View A&M University proudly announces that New York Times bestselling author Tayari Jones will serve as the 2024-2025 Toni Morrison Writer-in-Residence. [...]

PVAMU becomes 33rd recipient of Toni Morrison Society’s Bench by the Road

PRAIRIE VIEW, Texas (March 21, 2024) – In a beautiful celebration of history, courage and the arts, Prairie View A&M University unveiled the prestigious Bench by the Road monument in a rousing program on Tuesday, March 19, 2024, in the Opal Johnson Smith Auditorium. The event marked the beginning of Inauguration Week for PVAMU’s ninth [...]

VIDEO: An Interview with PVAMU’s 2023-2024 Writer-in-Residence, Attica Locke

Attica Locke is Prairie View A&M University's 2023-2024 Writer-in-Residence for the Toni Morrison Writing Program. Locke is a distinguished American fiction author and acclaimed writer-producer for television and film. In this video, she discusses her passion for storytelling, writing styles, how to write, and her special connections to PVAMU.

PVAMU’s Top 15 Moments of 2023

PRAIRIE VIEW, Texas (Dec. 22, 2023) - 2023 was a remarkable year for Prairie View A&M University! Here are some of the most significant achievements captured during the past 365 days right here on ā€œThe Hill.ā€ Prairie View A&M University achieves the prestigious designation as ā€˜Innovation and Economic Prosperity University.’ The Association of Public [...]