On Thursday, October 27, CSI presented via Zoom, a celebration of the life, work, and accomplishments of Audre Lorde – Black poet, writer, radical feminist, Womanist, lesbian, and human rights activist – on the 30th anniversary of her death and the 50th of her moving to Staten Island with her partner Frances Clayton and two children. Audre Lorde lived in the Stapleton Heights neighborhood for 17 years, teaching at Hunter College and producing some of her most important work. Faculty members from the College of Staten Island and community partners and friends made brief presentations about the many dimensions of Lorde’s life, work, and legacy. In addition, students from the College read and reflected on the significance of Lorde’s poetry in their lives today. In addition, clips of Audre Lorde reading and speaking were presented. The event included questions, comments, and reflections from audience members.

The event, now available on CSI’s YouTube Channel, was co-sponsored by the College of Staten Island School of Education, Department of the Library, Department of English, Office of Student Life – LGBTQ Resource Center/Pluralism & Diversity, Bertha Harris Women’s Center, and the Women’s, Gender & Sexuality Studies Program. We are especially grateful for the participation of the Alice Austen House Museum, NYC LGBT Historic Sites Project, and the Staten Island African American Heritage Tour.