Armonk Daily Voice: [Obiora] Anekwe will have a reading and book signing of The Adventures of Blind Tom at Barnes and Noble in White Plains on Nov. 21.

Obiora Anekwe

(Pace University)

Thomas “Blind Tom” Wiggins (1849-1908) was an African American pianist and composer. He was a blind and autistic slave who nevertheless was a musical genius. He is profiled at AfriClassical.com, which features a complete Works List by the late Prof. Dominique-René de Lerma, http://www.CasaMusicaledeLerma.com

Armonk Daily Voice

Pace Teaching Fellow Brings African Experiences To Life In His Work

by John Haffey 

11/06/2015

NEW YORK -- Obiora Anekwe, currently a New York City Teaching Fellow and MST candidate at Pace University School of Education, has a gift for expression. 
Born in the United States, but raised in Lagos, Nigeria, he moved back to the United States when he was in elementary school. After completing a Master’s in Bioethics at Columbia University, he applied for the NYC Teaching Fellows Program and is currently seeking an MST in Adolescent Special Education.

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Having written several books in post secondary education and bioethics, his first book as a children’s author was published earlier this year. Urged by SOE professor Kathryn De Lawter to expand his research on the topic of Thomas “Blind Tom” Wiggins into a book, Obiora chose to write and illustrate The Adventures of Blind Tom himself. The publication focuses on recurring themes of racial identity and facing challenges in a way that younger children can understand and even relate to.

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Anekwe will have a reading and book signing of The Adventures of Blind Tom at Barnes and Noble in White Plains on Nov. 21. For information on the event, contact mdelany@pace.edu.