Cornelius Eady is a poet and playwright whose work explores music, family and the lived experiences of African American life. He is the author of "The Gathering of My Name," a Pulitzer Prize finalist, and Brutal Imagination, a National Book Award finalist later adapted into an award-winning off-Broadway play. Eady is a professor at the University of Tennessee and a co-founder of the Cave Canem Foundation, a nationally recognized organization supporting the artistic and professional growth of African American poets.

The MFA Writers' Salon is designed as a shared space for curiosity, reflection and connection where emerging and established writers can learn through conversation. During the spring 2026 semester, the salon will host six writers on Monday evenings. Sessions are open to all members of the campus community and the public.