American Prophets: James Baldwin & Queer Spirituality (IN PERSON)

Despite James Baldwin’s disavowal of Christianity in his youth he continued to engage the symbols and theology of Christianity in works such as "The Amen Corner," "Just Above My Head" and others. With his new book, "Jimmy’s Faith: James Baldwin Disidentification and the Queer Possibilities of Black Religion," author Christopher W. Hunt shows how Baldwin’s usage of those religious symbols both shifted their meaning and served as a way for him to build his own religious and spiritual vision.
Hunt is interviewed by Northwestern professor Ivy Wilson. Books will be available for purchase and Hunt will sign them following the program.
This is an in-person program at the American Writers Museum. This program will also be livestreamed and you can register for the link to the online broadcast.
This program is presented in conjunction with the AWM’s forthcoming special exhibit "American Prophets: Writers Religion and Culture" opening November 2025. American Prophets is supported by a grant from Lilly Endowment Inc. through its Religion and Cultural Institutions Initiative.

You may also like the following events from American Writers Museum:

• Next month, 18th September, 06:00 pm, Author Talk: Nicholas Meyer (IN PERSON) in Chicago
• This October, 7th October, 05:30 pm, Get Lit: The Case of the Book Club Butcher in Chicago
• This October, 10th October, 05:30 pm, Horror Writing and Religion – An American Prophets Program in Chicago

Also check out other Literary Art events in Chicago, Arts events in Chicago.