Hanif Abdurraqib
Hanif Abdurraqib
Cultural critic and author of “There’s Always This Year: On Basketball and Ascension”
Common Reading Lecture
Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2026, 7:30 p.m.
Alumni Gym, Koury Athletic Center
An acclaimed essayist, poet and cultural critic, Hanif Abdurraqib is widely recognized for his lyrical and deeply personal writing that explores music, identity and the intersections of culture and lived experience. His work blends criticism with memoir, offering readers a nuanced perspective on art, belonging and the forces that shape contemporary life.
Abdurraqib is the author of several award-winning books and is known for his ability to connect cultural analysis with broader questions about race, community and memory. “There’s Always This Year: On Basketball and Ascension” was selected as Elon’s Common Reading for 2026-27.
Tickets will be available beginning Aug. 25 at . Admission: $15 or Elon ID.