Inspired by Sterling Brown

Sterling Allen Brown (May 1, 1901 – January 13, 1989) was an African-American professor, author of works on folklore, poet and literary critic. He studied chiefly black culture of the Southern United States and was a full professor at Howard University for most of his career. He also had visiting professor stints at several other institutions, including Vassar College, New York University (NYU), Atlanta University, and Yale University. Brown began his teaching career with positions at several universities, including Lincoln University and Fisk University before returning to Howard in 1929. In 1969 Brown retired from his faculty position at Howard and turned full time to poetry.