Born in Johannesburg in 1951, de Kok studied English and political science in South Africa then emigrated to Canada in 1977 and studied at Queen's University in Kingston. She returned to South Africa in 1984 and began setting up college courses for black students who at the time were excluded from white universities.
Much of de Kok's poetry offers hope for the future by taking stock of past wrongs, be it apartheid, the AIDS epidemic, or problematic personal relationships. She has acted as a consultant for various adult educational programs and study abroad programs for Northwestern University and University of Chicago.
The event is co-sponsored by GVSU Departments of English, African and African American Studies, Writing, History, Women and Gender Studies and the Women's Center. Ingrid will read at 4:30 p.m. in rooms 215-216 Kirkhof Center, Allendale Campus. A reception will follow. For more information call (616) 331-3581.
