Center for Black Literature Hosts 18th National Black Writers Conference Expanding

Conversations on Environmental Justice, Popular Culture, Resilience, and Peace Brooklyn, NY

The Center for Black Literature at Medgar Evers College, CUNY, will be hosting the 18th National Black Writers Conference (NBWC), from Wednesday, March 25 to Saturday, March 28, 2026, in Brooklyn, New York.

The 2026 Conference opens on Wednesday, March 25, with a thought-provoking conversation between Nikole Hannah-Jones and Michael Harriott exploring the Conference theme: Expanding Conversations on Environmental Justice, Popular Culture, Resilience, and Peace. The discussion will be moderated by Dr. Brenda Greene, Executive Director Emeritus of the Center for Black Literature.

The Conference concludes on Saturday, March 28, with the Plenary: Discussion with Honorees on the Conference Theme and the National Black Writers Conference Awards Ceremony. This year’s honorees are: Camille Dungy, Kassahun Checole, and Imani Perry.

Confirmed participants include Nana Ekua Brew-Hammond, Victor LaValle, Cebo Campbell, Ayo Sekai, and other acclaimed Black writers and cultural thought leaders. Attendees will hear from these authors during engaging roundtables such as:

• Climate Change, Restoration of the Planet: Voices from African Diasporic Writers
• Beyond Banned Books and the Censorship of African Diasporic Literature
• African Diasporic Literature: Paths Toward Resilience and Healing

Founded in 1986 at Medgar Evers College by the esteemed novelist John Oliver Killens, the National Black Writers Conference is a public gathering celebrating the enduring legacy, artistry, and impact of Black writers. Over nearly four decades, the Conference has featured an illustrious roster of participants—including NAACP Image Award and Hurston/Wright Legacy Award winners, Nobel and Pulitzer Prize recipients, MacArthur “Genius” Fellows, New York Times best-selling authors, poet laureates, and other distinguished literary voices. For registration and additional details, please visit www.CenterForBlackLiterature.org. General inquiries may be directed to info@CenterForBlackLiterature.org or 718-804-8884.