Alice Randall

This year’s event will be titled “Vanderbilt University Presents: The Southern Festival of Books, a program of Humanities Tennessee,” marking a new chapter in the life of this storied public event and reflecting Vanderbilt’s deepening investment in the cultural, civic and intellectual fabric of the region. The continuation of the festival is a testament to the power of community. After months of uncertainty following the termination of federal funding, Tennesseans will have the opportunity to celebrate the return of this free event that connects authors and readers at Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park, the Tennessee State Museum and the Tennessee State Library and Archives. Read More

“Creating cuisines is about building community through agriculture and bridging the local with the global,” said Ted Fischer, Cornelius Vanderbilt Professor of Anthropology, during the opening session of “Food for Thought”—a free program presented by Vanderbilt University and the Frist Art Museum. This series brings together Vanderbilt faculty, Frist curators and local leaders to explore cultural and societal issues through art. The Spring 2025 season focused on two Frist exhibitions: Farm to Table: Art, Food, and Identity in the Age of Impressionism and Tennessee Harvest. Read More

The walls of Salama Urban Ministries came alive with color and meaning as students unveiled a new mural they had helped to create. Gathered with families, teachers and community members, the students pointed proudly to each vibrant panel, sharing stories of how the images reflected their identities and experiences. Read More

A mural by local artist Elisheba Israel Mrozik was unveiled at a Juneteenth celebration on June 19. Inspired by the stories of Black country music artists featured in Vanderbilt professor and award-winning songwriter Alice Randall’s latest book, 'My Black Country,' the work features likenesses of five Black artists pivotal to country music. Read More

In celebration of Juneteenth, a new mural honoring Black country music artists was unveiled on June 19 at the site of the former Vanderbilt Printing Services building. The mural, created by local artist Elisheba Israel Mrozik, draws inspiration from stories and history featured in Vanderbilt professor and award-winning songwriter Alice Randall’s latest book, My Black Country. Read More

Vanderbilt’s Division of Government and Community Relations will host the special event at Vanderbilt Printing Services, 625 Chestnut St. in Nashville, from 4 to 5 p.m. on June 19. Read More

Avery Carpenter Forrey, BA'11, says Vanderbilt was the first place where she felt she could make a career out of writing. With a double major in in English and communications, her latest writing journey has led to the publication of her novel 'Social Engagement' (Mariner, 2023). Read More

The Office of the Provost has awarded four inaugural Arts, Discovery and Innovation grants to support faculty and staff research collaborations with the National Museum of African American Music. Read More

Dr. André L. Churchwell, vice chancellor for outreach, inclusion and belonging and chief diversity officer, hosted a panel of Vanderbilt faculty earlier this fall to discuss the state of racial justice in America. Among the topics covered was how art can offer hope during unsettled times and help create a more just, civil and moral society. Read More

Vanderbilt Chancellor Daniel Diermeier and Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs C. Cybele Raver honored 36 scholars from across the university at an endowed chair investiture ceremony on campus March 30. Read More

The Heard Libraries have acquired the papers of Rissi Palmer, an influential singer-songwriter and Apple Music host who is breaking barriers for country music artists of color. The library’s acquisition is helping Vanderbilt build a world-class archive of African American music in partnership with the National Museum of African American Music. Read More

Chancellor Daniel Diermeier presented prestigious awards to seven academic leaders at the Spring Faculty Assembly on April 1. He also announced the establishment of the Chancellor's Award for University Service. Read More

Prominent scholars, journalists, historians and activists gathered virtually for a daylong symposium discussing the fight for equity. “Racial Justice, Freedom and Activism in Nashville and Beyond: Then and Now” was hosted by Vanderbilt University on March 26.  Read More

Author Alice Randall, writer in residence in African American and Diaspora Studies, will discuss her new book, "Black Bottom Saints," during a virtual event on Thursday, Feb. 4. The event, open to all faculty, staff and alumni, will begin at 5 p.m. CT and be conducted via Zoom. Read More

Alice Randall and Caroline Randall Williams are both writers-in-residence at Vanderbilt—Randall in the Department of African American and Diaspora Studies and Williams in the Department of Medicine, Health and Society. And neither is afraid to shine a light on complicated questions around race. Read More

The Southern Festival of Books: A Celebration of the Written Word will be held online Oct. 1-11, with Vanderbilt faculty, staff and alumni participating and three new VU Press titles spotlighted. Read More

Alice Randall, a "New York Times" best-selling author and Vanderbilt writer in residence in African American and diaspora studies, will present “A Novel Approach to Building Your Anti-Racism Toolkit and Self-Care in a Time of Reckoning” on Thursday, Sept. 10, at noon. Registration is required for the online event. Read More

Vanderbilt Writer-In-Residence Alice Randall, a best-selling author and award-winning songwriter, will lead a Sports and Society lecture on “Flags and Anthems" Thursday, Nov. 29. Read More

Seven Vanderbilt faculty were awarded microgrants through the Sports and Society Microgrant Program to investigate how sports and society impact each other across disciplines. Read More

When first-year students arrived last August at Stambaugh House, a residence hall on The Martha Rivers Ingram Commons, no doubt much of what they encountered was brand new. But a relic from the past awaited them in the Stambaugh lobby. Read More