Mar-25-2010 09:30AM - Mar-28-2010 06:00PM

1650 Bedford Avenue
Center for Black Literature
Brooklyn, NY

And Then We Heard the Thunder: Black Writers Reconstructing Memories and Lighting the Way
Tenth National Black Writers' Conference to Be Held March 25-28, 2010
Celebrating Toni Morrison, Amiri Baraka, Kamau Brathwaite, and Dr. Edison O. Jackson

Celebrating over 25 years of history since its inception in 1986 under the visionary leadership of John Oliver Killens, the Conference assembles some of the brightest minds and finest pens in literature. John Oliver Killens was writer-in-residence at Medgar Evers College from 1981 until his death in 1987.

The theme of the National Black Writers' Conference is And Then We Heard the Thunder: Black Writers Reconstructing Memories and Lighting the Way. Through a series of panel discussions, roundtables, author readings and storytelling, the National Black Writers' Conference will use the metaphors of thunder, memory, and light to examine the historical representation of the literature of Black writers and the representation of new and future directions for contemporary and emerging literary voices. With Toni Morrison as the Honorary Chair, the National Black Writers' Conference will also honor Amiri Baraka, Kamau Brathwaite, and Dr. Edison O. Jackson. Black writers will come from throughout the Americas the Caribbean, Europe, and Africa. The NBWC has grown to boast a stellar list of participants and honorees, including Cornel West, Susan Tayor, Randall Robinson, Marita Golden, Sonia Sanchez, and Terry McMillan. This year's conference attendees can again look forward to panels, readings, and workshops from highly regarded writers Sonia Sanchez, Kamau Brathwaite, James McBridge, Edwidge Danticat, Kevin Powell, Bernice McFadden, Dolen Perkins-Valdez, Colson Whitehead, Toure, and Stacyann Chin, among others.

The NBWC is designed to uplift, strengthen, and empower the community -- the writers community, the student body, and the community at large. It is an opportunity for young writers to connect with more seasoned writers, benefiting from their tutelage and insight as well as gaining an understanding of the real challenges in publishing. It is also an opportunity for writers and readers to intellectually spar on the hot topics in the community, which are often reflected in literature, and to debate with some of the sharpest minds in US culture.
Since its inception, the Conference has attracted writers, scholars, editors, agents, faculty, students and the general public. Conference themes have addressed stereotypes in Black literature, the direction of Black literature, the renaissance in Black literature, access and expanding conversations on race, identity, history and genre. Each conference has built upon the previous one celebrating outstanding Black writers through the world.

Click here for the program of speakers, workshops, and events.

Medgar Evers College, CUNY
1650 Bedford Avenue
Center for Black Literature
Brooklyn, NY

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