Ohio Humanities is today announcing an upcoming statewide, yearlong celebration of Ohio native Toni Morrison—one of the most noteworthy authors of the last century and the first Black woman to win a Nobel Prize.
“Beloved: Ohio Celebrates Toni Morrison” will run from February 18, 2026 to February 18, 2027, beginning on Morrison’s birthday with a kickoff event in Ohio’s capital and closing on her birthday in her hometown of Lorain. It will include signature events in each corner of the state, and community partners statewide will host their own grassroots celebrations, including:
- Readings and discussions of her writing
- Talks with authors and important figures who Morrison influenced
- Writing contests
- School activities
- Film screenings
- Performances inspired by her work
- And more
The initiative will align with America250, a national effort commemorating the 250th anniversary of
the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 2026 that will honor our nation’s history and
significant Americans.
The Morrison initiative is a joint effort spearheaded and supported by several organizations, including Ohio Humanities, Literary Cleveland, Ohioana Library, the Ohio Center for the Book, The Toni Morrison Society and others around the state.
“Through her incredible storytelling, Toni Morrison became a powerful advocate for the power of literature and art to promote democracy worldwide,” said Ohio Humanities Executive Director Rebecca Asmo. “Though she is no longer with us, her work—and her words—remain alive and more relevant than ever.”
Toni Morrison wrote 11 novels, each giving readers a unique lens through which to understand the Black American experience, and each set in a different period in American history. Arranged in order—from “A Mercy” set in the 1680s to “God Help the Child” set in the 2000s—they tell the story of our country’s struggle to become a more perfect union. Morrison also wrote extensively about her home state: Her debut novel, “The Bluest Eye,” is about Lorain. “Sula” takes place in a fictional town called Medallion, Ohio. And her most acclaimed work, “Beloved”—made into a film in 1998—is set in Cincinnati.
Morrison was awarded a Nobel Prize in Literature in 1993. She was not only the first Black woman to win a Nobel Prize, but she was also the first Black American and Ohioan to win a Nobel Prize. Morrison died on August 5, 2019 at age 88.
“Our ambition is for every person in Ohio—young and old—to engage with Toni Morrison’s life, literature, and legacy over the next year,” said Literary Cleveland Executive Director Matt Weinkam. “This is our opportunity to celebrate the greatest artist in our state’s history. Her writing challenges and inspires us as much today as when it was first published, and we can’t wait to bring it to life this year all across Ohio.”
An interactive website will feature program information, reading and discussion guides, podcasts, and a calendar of statewide events. Teachers, community organizers, and individuals are invited and encouraged to visit ohiocelebratesmorrison.org for information and inspiration.
About Ohio Humanities
Ohio Humanities is a statewide nonprofit that shares stories to spark conversations and inspire
ideas by hosting programs and awarding grants that support storytellers statewide, from museums
to journalists to documentary filmmakers. For more information, visit ohiohumanities.org.
Media contact: Kristy Eckert, Kristy Eckert Communications kristy@kristyeckert.com,
614.746.2787