Contact: Maridith Geuder
STARKVILLE, Miss.--A New York City-based children's advocate, television producer and author will be the guest for a special April 5 program at Mississippi State University.
Tonya Lewis Lee, who in 2002 co-authored the children's book "Please Baby Please" with her husband, filmmaker and actor Spike Lee, will be honored during a 5-6:30 p.m. public reception at the John Grisham Room of Mitchell Memorial Library.
Her visit coincides with MSU's annual Children's Reading Conference, which begins the following day. "We're thrilled to have Mrs. Lee on our campus during a time when we celebrate children and literacy," said conference organizer Nancy Verhoek-Miller.
The MSU professor of curriculum and instruction said Lee will take time during the reception to discuss her role in producing the television mini-series "Miracle's Boys," which is based on the award-winning book by Jacqueline Woodson.
"Mrs. Lee also will read from her own book, 'Please Baby Please,' during the reception and events the following day," Verhoek-Miller added. The book will be available for purchase and signing at the reception.
More than 100 area school children are expected at the April 6 Children's Reading Conference, being held this year in the Mitchell Memorial Library auditorium. Aundrea Self, a Starkville native who co-anchors WCBI-TV's "Sunrise" and "Midday" programs at the Columbus station, is the keynote speaker.
"Aundrea is a tutor for at-risk elementary students and very active in the community," Verhoek-Miller said. "She has made a commitment to being involved with civic and education efforts."
In addition to the curriculum and instruction department, Lee's visit is sponsored by the MSU's Holmes Cultural Diversity Center, College of Education, Early Childhood Institute, and the MSU Libraries.
"We are pleased to have Mrs. Lee here during the celebration of National Poetry Awareness Month in April," said Holmes Center Director Aretha Jones Cook. "To have her read to students, faculty and staff is going to be great."
Lee will read from her children's book at 10:30 a.m. on the 6th.
A graduate of Sarah Lawrence College and the University of Virginia law school, Lee turned to writing and TV production after specializing for several years in First Amendment issues with a major Washington, D.C., law firm.
Among her production accomplishments are a series of Black History Month spots for the Nickelodeon and Nick at Nite networks. She also served as executive producer for the 2005 television mini-series "Miracle's Boys," that aired on Noggin/The N.
In concert with her professional activities, she serves on the boards of the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund and Children for Children Foundation.
For more information about Lee's visit or about the Children's Reading Conference, telephone Verhoek-Miller at (662) 325-3747.