Born in Harlem in 1962, and educated at Yale, Boston University, and the University of Pennsylvania, Elizabeth Alexander has been on the faculties at Haverford College, the University of Chicago, Smith, and now teaches English and African-American Studies at Yale. This reading features poems from her first book, The Venus Hottentot, which address racial, gender, and cultural divisions; including the poem Alexander read at President Obama's inauguration. John Barr, director of the Poetry Foundation, introduces poet Elizabeth Alexander. This podcast is brought to you by the Ancient Art Podcast. Explore more at ancientartpodcast.org.