The Office of Culture, Community, and Belonging (CCB) will host LVC’s fifth annual African American Read-In to celebrate Black History Month. This event will honor and shed light on the amazingly talented Black writers who have contributed so much to Black culture throughout the world. Participants are asked to come prepared to read a passage, excerpt, or poem from a Black author or poet that speaks to them in an exciting or moving way. We ask that all excerpts be no longer than 10 minutes, and that all pieces be from a Black-identifying author or poet.
Refreshments will be served.
Guest speaker: Kalem Calien
Kalem Calien was born in Washington D.C., at Gallagher Hospital to Richard Madison and Delores Anthony Jackson, on December 9, 1951. The third oldest in a line of six children, he was often referred as the “baby boy,” a title that at times garnered a few beneficial perks. His education began at the Logan Elementary School at 3rd and G streets, approximately five to six blocks from his family home. Everyone walked to school; thus, it was guaranteed each morning and afternoon you would encounter friends and adversary alike.
Attending Terrel Junior High and Paul Lawrence Dunbar High schools greatly extended that daily walk to what was now several miles roundtrip. Now that journey not only included friends and foes, but strangers and commuters as well.
During his high school years, Kalem relished academics and sports. He became a National Honor Society member and was elected senior class president. Lettering in swimming, football, track and field, and tennis, it was clear that the water was his favorite home. Encouraged by his swimming coach, he became a lifeguard, working at the McKinley High School pool during the summer months. Additionally, he joined the Debate Team, Thespians Club, and Student Council. As a second trumpeter, he played in the concert and marching bands. As a boy scout, he scaled to Life Scout, one step short of the highest rank of Eagle Scout.
Upon graduation, in May of 1969, Kalem enrolled at Gettysburg College, majoring in Psychology, with a minor in Education. Little did he know at the time that the “minor” would become the “major” that fueled his life. You see, a Gettysburg professor, Dr. McGettigan, knew a Temple University professor, Dr. Iano, who was screening qualified candidates for a Master’s Degree program in the School of Education. After a battery of tests and examinations, the acceptance letter delivered him to Temple’s main campus in the heart of North Philadelphia, still inhabited by gang warfare. Graduating in the summer of 1976, he landed a teaching position at a small private school for maladjusted girls. Following the school closing its doors, he became a staff consultant with the Alexander Proudfoot Company in Chicago, Ill. After approximately two years, he moved on to various positions including associate consultant with City Bank; field supervisor with the North Philadelphia Initiative; site supervisor with the Community College of Philadelphia: administrative aide to the Philadelphia City Council; and special assistant to the Secretary of Public Welfare in Harrisburg.
In June of 2018, Kalem retired after 26.5 years in the Harrisburg School District as a teacher and coach. He has two sons, both by his first marriage, and is enjoying 16 years of the second marriage.
