PEN America
Donate Now
  • Issues & Advocacy
    • Book Bans
    • Educational Censorship
    • Campus Free Speech
    • Disinformation
    • Online Abuse
    • Writers at Risk
    • Artists at Risk Connection (ARC)
    • Global Advocacy
    • NYC Literary Action Coalition
    • Next Gen PEN
  • Writers & Readers
    • Literary Awards
    • Grants & Fellowships
    • PEN Across America
    • Prison and Justice Writing
    • Workshops & Trainings
    • Writers in the Schools Committee
    • Children’s and YA Books Committee
    • Translation Committee
  • Festival & Events
    • Events Calendar
    • Event Series
    • 2023 PEN America Literary Gala
    • 2023 PEN America Literary Awards Ceremony
    • 2022 PEN World Voices Festival
    • Authors’ Evenings
  • Read The Latest
    • Research & Reports
    • Take Action
    • #FreeTheBooks
    • Press Releases
    • Interviews & Features
    • PEN America Publications
  • Membership
  • About
    • PEN America at 100
    • About Us
    • PEN America Racial Equity Statement
    • Leadership and Staff
    • Trustees
    • Careers
    • Digital Archives
  • Give
    • Donate Now
    • Become a PEN America Young Patron
    • More Ways to Give
    • Shop
PEN America
Donate Now
  • Advocacy
    & Action
  • Writers
    & Readers
  • Festivals
    & Events
  • Issues & Advocacy
    • Book Bans
    • Educational Censorship
    • Campus Free Speech
    • Disinformation
    • Online Abuse
    • Writers at Risk
    • Artists at Risk Connection (ARC)
    • Global Advocacy
    • NYC Literary Action Coalition
    • Next Gen PEN
  • Writers & Readers
    • Literary Awards
    • Grants & Fellowships
    • PEN Across America
    • Prison and Justice Writing
    • Workshops & Trainings
    • Writers in the Schools Committee
    • Children’s and YA Books Committee
    • Translation Committee
  • Festival & Events
    • Events Calendar
    • Event Series
    • 2023 PEN America Literary Gala
    • 2023 PEN America Literary Awards Ceremony
    • 2022 PEN World Voices Festival
    • Authors’ Evenings
  • Read The Latest
    • Research & Reports
    • Take Action
    • #FreeTheBooks
    • Press Releases
    • Interviews & Features
    • PEN America Publications
  • Membership
  • About
    • PEN America at 100
    • About Us
    • PEN America Racial Equity Statement
    • Leadership and Staff
    • Trustees
    • Careers
    • Digital Archives
  • Give
    • Donate Now
    • Become a PEN America Young Patron
    • More Ways to Give
    • Shop
  • Home
Image of LeVar Burton at podium

2019 LitFest Gala: Levar Burton’s Tribute to Toni Morrison

TranscriptNovember 20, 2019

In an intimate tribute to Toni Morrison at the 2019 LitFest Gala in Los Angeles, acclaimed actor and author LeVar Burton honored the late writer's legacy. More

photo of litfest program

Ava DuVernay, Diane Warren, Theodore J. Boutrous, Jr., Julie Brown Honored at PEN America 2019 LitFest Gala

Press ReleaseNovember 2, 2019

Last night, PEN America hosted their 2019 LitFest Gala in Los Angeles, a celebration of free expression and the literary arts that honored some of the brightest names in… More

Levar Burton, 2019 Litfest Gala

2019 LitFest Gala Toni Morrison Tribute: LeVar Burton

Profile

Two-time Emmy and Grammy award-winning comedian Kathy Griffin will host the 2019 LitFest Gala in Beverly Hills on November 1. More

PEN America to Honor “A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood” and “Unbelievable” at 11/1/19 Litfest Gala in Los Angeles

Press ReleaseOctober 10, 2019

In what is expected to be an incredibly poignant moment during the ceremony, actor, author, and reading and education advocate LeVar Burton will deliver a tribute to the legendary… More

Join PEN America Today

Defend free expression, support persecuted writers, and promote literary culture.

Subscribe

Get updates on events, literary awards, free expression issues, and global news.

 
 
  • What's New
PEN America Speaks: How We Defended and Celebrated Free Expression This Week
PEN America/PEN International: Chinese Authorities Should Immediately Release Blogger Sentenced to 7 Years in Prison
PEN America, With Other Free Speech Organizations, Sends Letter to Congress Opposing Proposed National TikTok Ban
Letter to Congress Opposing Federal Law to Impose a Ban on TikTok

Alert Us

Are you an artist at risk or know someone who is?

PEN America On  

Retweet on Twitter PEN America Retweeted
chronsnyder Mike Snyder @chronsnyder ·
3h

Splendid writin': @moorethink on the notion that my favorite novel be banned from school libraries: https://jamesmoore.substack.com/p/lonesome-dumb?utm_source=substack&publication_id=344359&post_id=110736889&utm_medium=email&utm_content=share&triggerShare=true&isFreemail=true

Reply on Twitter 1640006108747034625 Retweet on Twitter 1640006108747034625 1 Like on Twitter 1640006108747034625 4 Twitter 1640006108747034625
penamerica PEN America @penamerica ·
34m

#Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has said that claims he is banning books are a “nasty hoax.” For these advanced 4th grade readers, DeSantis’ policies have resulted in empty shelves and severely diminished #reading options.

Reply on Twitter 1640039852593799170 Retweet on Twitter 1640039852593799170 20 Like on Twitter 1640039852593799170 40 Twitter 1640039852593799170
penamerica PEN America @penamerica ·
55m

"The same people pushing book bans are complaining about declining test scores in public education." @Stoltnburg4WSSD

Reply on Twitter 1640034499084910592 Retweet on Twitter 1640034499084910592 6 Like on Twitter 1640034499084910592 24 Twitter 1640034499084910592
PEN America
588 Broadway, Suite 303
New York, NY 10012
T (212) 334-1660 F (212) 334-2181
PEN America Los Angeles
1370 N. St Andrews Place
Los Angeles, CA 90028
T (323) 424-4939
PEN America Washington, D.C.
1100 13th Street NW, Suite 800
Washington, D.C. 20005
Donate Today
 
Copyright © 2023 PEN America. All rights reserved.   |   Privacy Policy