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Behind the Scenes: A series of scholarly conversations on Elizabeth Keckly’s “Behind the Scenes”

February 24 @ 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm

General Info
The Burwell School is proud to announce a two-part lecture series focusing on the narratives of
enslaved persons, particularly featuring Elizabeth Keckly’s Behind the Scenes. Renowned
scholars Dr. William Andrews and Dr. Sheila Smith McKoy will each headline a program
designed to reflect on these important historical sources. You won’t want to miss the opportunity
to hear from both of these groundbreaking academics!
Dr. Andrews (1/13/24)
In the first installment of this series, Dr. William Andrews will discuss several published
memoirs of enslaved people, including Elizabeth Keckly. Join us on January 13 at 2pm at the
Hillsborough Presbyterian Church for a fascinating and important conversation about the ways
enslaved voices assert themselves in the historical record.
Dr. Andrews is a current Professor Emeritus in the English & Comparative Literature
department at the University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill. His research focuses on 18th and
19th-century African American writing and particularly identifies slave narratives as foundational
components of American literature and culture.

Dr. Smith McKoy (2/24/24)
In the second installment of this series, Dr. Sheila Smith McKoy will dive into Elizabeth
Keckly’s Behind the Scenes in a lecture titled “Elizabeth Keckly: A Life in Counter-Narrative.”
This exciting opportunity to learn from one of the premier scholars doing research on Elizabeth
Keckly will be held at Mount Bright Baptist Church on February 24 at 2pm. Come celebrate
Black History Month with us as we continue to learn from the life of Elizabeth Hobbs Keckly.
Dr. Smith McKoy is a graduate of North Carolina State University, the University of North
Carolina, Chapel Hill, and Duke University, becoming the first Black scholar to earn a PhD in
English from Duke. Her work centers on race and difference, literature and culture, and
mentorship, and she is the editor of two volumes titled “The Elizabeth Keckley Reader.” She is
also an award-winning poet, filmmaker, fiction author, and a trained mediator specializing in
restorative justice practices.