The bell hooks Institute at Berea College is reopening after it was closed when hooks’ passed in 2021. The activist, writer, and professor started the institute to continue her research and have conversations on topics like race, gender, class, and Appalachian studies. It will now house hooks’ papers, research, and art.
The institute was a place hooks would have open conversations with other activists like Gloria Steinem, Emma Watson, and Laverne Cox. Linda Strong-Leek is the Provost for Haverford College and the executor of hook’s estate. She said hooks was able to bring together many voices.
“She'd also have really local people as well, right? So, she had the national sort of figures and the local figures, and whoever they were, they were in conversation together about those works and about the issues of the day. And it was really a special place to be. So, seeing that work continues is the thing I'm most excited about,” Strong-Leek said.
She added that reopening is important, especially at this time in America.
“I think it would be important bell would want people to continue to have those hard conversations. So, I encourage people, once it's open again, to join the conversation and to think about bell's impact on the world,” said Strong-Leek.
bell hooks was also a professor of English, race, gender, and Appalachian studies at colleges like the University of Southern California and Yale. She was born Gloria Jean Watkins in Hopkinsville and later donned her pen name after her great-grandmother. The institute is planned to open in 2025 after all positions have been filled. More information about the institute and bell hooks can be found at berea.edu.