Tulsa Students Collaborate on Ralph Ellison Biography Launch

Students from the Tulsa Undergraduate Research Challenge (TURC) have collaborated on a new biography of renowned American author Ralph Ellison. The book, titled “Ralph Ellison: More Than Invisible,” is part of the “I Am Oklahoma Children’s Series” and is published by the Oklahoma Hall of Fame Press. It aims to provide free books to schools and public libraries across the state.

The book holds particular significance for the author, Quraysh Ali Lansana, who has previously published three children’s literature works. This new project marks the first time he has worked alongside TURC students, with Brianna Burk, a psychology major, and senior Isaac McGill, who studies mathematics and sociology, contributing to the publication.

Insights into Ellison’s Legacy

Burk shared her reflections on the project, stating that learning about Ellison and the early 20th-century experiences of other Black Oklahomans was enlightening. “I always knew that I wanted to be involved in writing,” she noted. “I love the process of creating stories, and it is a privilege to be able to tell someone else’s story.”

Ellison, born on March 1, 1914, in the segregated community of Deep Deuce in Oklahoma City, developed a passion for photography and music early in life. He later received a scholarship to the music school at the Tuskegee Institute in Alabama. After serving in the Merchant Marines in 1945, Ellison moved to Vermont with his wife, Fanny, in search of better health. It was during this time that he famously penned the line, “I am an invisible man,” which would evolve into his acclaimed novel, “The Invisible Man.”

Creative Connections and Personal Growth

Burk expressed a particular admiration for Ellison’s photography, recalling how some of his images evoked calmness while others conveyed chaos. “I thought it was beautiful to have such a creative mind that was not only able to write but capture an entire story in one photograph,” she remarked. Ellison’s childhood fascination with photography is highlighted in “More Than Invisible,” where he recalls discovering a large photo lens in an alley, which sparked his creative journey.

For both Burk and McGill, their collaboration on this project marks a significant milestone as their first publication credit. Lansana emphasized the honor of having his students listed as associate editors. “It was an honor for me to have two students who worked with me listed as associate editors of a book,” he stated. He plans to promote the book and Ellison’s legacy on a statewide tour.

The official launch of “Ralph Ellison: More Than Invisible” is scheduled for October 16, 2023, at 6 p.m. at the Thomas K. McKeon Center for Creativity, hosted by the Center for Poets and Writers at OSU-Tulsa.