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Author Jason Reynolds Inspires Youth During Onstage Conversation At University City High School

Author Jason Reynolds was in conversation with former 'We Live Here' podcast co-host Kameel Stanley on April 26 at University City High School.
Heidi Drexler
Author Jason Reynolds was in conversation with former 'We Live Here' podcast co-host Kameel Stanley on April 26 at University City High School.

Jason Reynolds is a prominent poet and author of middle-grade and young adult novels. He’s a National Book Award finalist and the author of such books including “Ghost,” “Long Way Down,” and “When I Was The Greatest.”

Reynolds recently sat down for an onstage conversation with Kameel Stanley, the former co-host of St. Louis Public Radio’s “We Live Here” podcast.

The Novel Neighbor bookstore in Webster Groves, in partnership with St. Louis Public Radio and University City High School, sponsored the event that took place at the high school. The conversation encompassed how literature and rap lyrics can inspire, encourage and celebrate today’s youth as well as and how they’re especially important for young African Americans.

Listen to extended excerpts of the onstage discussion including audience Q&A:

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Alex Heuer joined St. Louis Public Radio in 2012 and is the executive producer of St. Louis on the Air. Alex grew up in the St. Louis area. He began his public radio career as a student reporter at Tri States Public Radio in Macomb, Illinois and worked for a few years at Iowa Public Radio. Alex graduated summa cum laude from Western Illinois University with a degree in history and earned a teaching certificate in 6 - 12th grade social studies. In 2016, he earned a Master of Public Policy Administration with a focus in nonprofit organization management and leadership from the University of Missouri-St. Louis. He has won local and national awards for reporting and producing and his stories have been featured nationally on Morning Edition and All Things Considered.