Alex Haley Day To Be Celebrated In Annapolis Near 100th Birthday

ANNAPOLIS, MD — Annapolis will celebrate deceased writer Alex Haley with an honorary holiday this Saturday. The ceremony will start at City Dock at 10 a.m.

The event will honor the author's 100th birthday, which would've been Wednesday. Alex Haley died in 1992 at age 70.

"It is an honor to commemorate Alex Haley’s 100th birthday in Annapolis," Mayor Gavin Buckley said in a press release. "He contributed brilliantly in the areas of literature, culture, and African-American genealogical research. We are proud to proclaim Alex Haley Day in the City of Annapolis."

After Buckley declares the holiday, he will present the Haley family with a key to the city. Chris Haley, Alex Haley's nephew, will offer remarks. Chris Haley is the director of the legacy of slavery in Maryland at the Maryland State Archives.

"Despite the pandemic, we are proud that this event emphasizes Alex Haley's commitment to the importance of family and community connection against all odds," stated Chris Haley and Alex Haley's niece, Andrea Blackstone. "It is always worthwhile to find the good and praise it."

Erica Griswald will host the happening. Other speakers will include:

• Shaneka Henson, state delegate
• Carl Snowden, the convener of the Caucus of African American Leaders
• Marcus Hayes, a spoken-word poet

Alex Haley is best known for his 1976 book "Roots: The Saga of an American Family." The piece eventually earned him a Pulitzer Prize.

"Uncle Alex considered Annapolis so vital to the story of Roots as he continued to visit this City years after the book and miniseries premiered," Blackstone added.

Annapolis eventually commemorated the journalist with the Kunta Kinte-Alex Haley Memorial by Ego Alley. The downtown statue depicts Alex Haley telling the story of his relative, Kunta Kinte, who arrived in Annapolis in 1767 before heading into slavery. The monument also acknowledges the city's past as a slave port.

Annapolis will host its annual Kunta Kinte Heritage Festival on Sept. 25. It will have food, music and artisan vendors. The day will also include heritage and history exhibits of the African Diaspora.

"Alex Haley's two greatest achievements, ‘The Autobiography of Malcolm X’ and ‘Roots’ became and remain an essential source for understanding systemic racism and race," Snowden concluded. "We are deeply indebted to Mr. Haley who understood the power of the written word."

More information is available here.

Subscribe to your local Patch newsletter. Download our mobile application from the App Store or Google Play.

RELATED:

• Capital Gazette Memorial Unveiled, Attendees Cheer Free Press
• Annapolis Hosts Juneteenth Festival, Marks End Of Slavery

Have a story idea? Please contact me at jacob.baumgart@patch.com with any pitches, tips or questions. Follow me on Twitter @JacobBaumgart and on Facebook @JacobBaumgartJournalist to stay up-to-date with the latest Anne Arundel County and Prince George's County news.