The Center for Black Literature Presents the 16th National Black Writers Conference (Day 1 of 4)

The Center for Black Literature at Medgar Evers College presents the 16th National Black Writers Conference, “The Beautiful Struggle: Black Writers Lighting the Way,” which will be held from March 30 to April 2, 2022.

The 16th NBWC will be presented virtually as a series of webinars and will examine the ways that texts by Black writers document struggle and persistence and light the ways for overcoming obstacles and surviving in a racially constructed society. The Conference will feature panel discussions, an opening keynote conversation, scholarly presentations on conference honorees, author readings, writing workshops, film screenings, and more. Honorees for the 16th NBWC are poet Tracy K. Smith, author Jacqueline Woodson, journalist Herb Boyd, and scholar Eddie S. Glaude Jr. Featured speakers include Edwidge Danticat, Tananarive Due, Kiese Laymon, and Maurice Carlos Ruffin among many others.

For more information about the 16th NBWC Conference registration and the program schedule, visit www.centerforblackliterature.org.

Email writers@mec.cuny.edu with any questions.

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The Opening Keynote will feature the iconic Dr. Haki R. Madhubuti in conversation with Dr. Keith Gilyard, moderated by Dr. Joanne Gabbin. The opening poem will be presented by Nikky Finney.

During the Opening Keynote for the 16th National Black Writers Conference, Dr. Haki R. Madhubuti and Dr. Keith Gilyard will engage in conversation on the Conference theme. Dr. Joanne Gabbin will moderate the conversation. The distinguished guests will share personal accounts of their achievements and reflect on the struggles Black writers have faced over the years. Additionally, they will share their perspectives on what lies ahead for Black literature, offer their perspectives on institution building, and reflect on the world of publishing.

Dr. Madhubuti is an author, educator, poet, and publisher of Third World Press. Dr. Gilyard is an author and is the Edwin Erle Sparks Professor of English and African American Studies at Penn State. Dr. Gabbin is a poet, scholar, and executive director of the Furious Flower Poetry Center. Nikky Finney, National Book Award-winning poet and professor, will open the program.

Opening Program: “The Beautiful Struggle: A Conversation”

Opening Poem: Nikky Finney

Opening Keynote: Haki R. Madhubuti in conversation with Keith Gilyard

Moderator: Joanne Gabbin

This is a free, virtual event. All are welcome. Register for this free event here.