Black Writers Conference, Medgar Evers College, Brooklyn NY, March 27-30, 2014

The Twelfth National Black Writers Conference “Reconstructing the Master Narrative” The Center for Black Literature Celebrates Its Tenth Anniversary at the National Black Writers Conference Date: Thurs., March 27– Sun., March 30, 2014 Location: Medgar Evers College, CUNY 1650 Bedford Ave. Brooklyn, NY 11225 For more information call The Center for Black Literature at 718-804-8883 or email them atwriters@mec.cuny.edu Conference Overview Nobel Laureate Derek Walcott In an interview with Bill Moyers in March of 1990 for his television series A World of Ideas, Nobel Prize-winning author Toni Morrison defines the master narrative as whatever ideological script that is being imposed by the people in authority on everybody else. In other words, the master narrative is created by those in power. Thus, the master narrative is shaped by a certain viewpoint. In analyzing the master narrative found in literature, we examine what texts are present and which ones are omitted. It is important that we consciously take the steps to ensure that the master narrative encompasses the Black literary tradition—past and present. The National Black Writers Conference (NBWC) offers us an opportunity to present to the public the complexity of the texts produced by Black writers throughout the African Diaspora. The 2014 NBWC theme of “Black Writers Reconstructing the Master Narrative” builds on previous NBWCs and takes into account the need to expose the general public to the vast range of texts that Black writers throughout the diaspora are producing. Using this theme as the premise of this public gathering of writers, students, literary agents, editors and the general public will have an opportunity to attend panels, roundtables and readings, participate in workshops, and take in performances over the four days of the Conference. Dr. Myrlie Evers-Williams is the Honorary Chair of the 2014 National Black Writers Conference. The honorees for the Twelfth NBWC are:Maryse Condé, Walter Mosley, Quincy Troupe, Derek Walcott, and posthumously to Margaret Burroughs. The National Black Writers Conference is a public program that will provide writers, scholars, literary professionals, students, and the general public with a forum for expanding their knowledge and reading of Black literature and for engaging in dynamic and spirited conversations, panel discussions, readings, workshops, and performances on conference themes and on future trends in the literature of Black writers. The Conference will also pay tribute to and celebrate Black writers who have made significant contributions to the literary canon and will provide emerging writers with opportunities to improve their writing craft. Conference panels, roundtables, and featured speeches will be streamed and videotaped. Selected proceedings will be published. 2014 National Black Writers Conference Preconference Events Angela Davis Featured Speaker “Audre Lorde: A Burst of Light Symposium ” Featuring Keynote Speaker Angela Davis Free and Open to the Public Date: Saturday, March 22, 2014 Time: 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. Location: Medgar Evers College, Founders Auditorium 1650 Bedford Ave. Brooklyn, NY 11225 In celebration of Women’s History Month, the Center for Black Literature will partner with The Du Bois-Bunche Center for Public Policy, MEC’s English Department and the Center for Women’s Development to pay tribute to the legacy of the feminist poet and writer Audre Lorde. The program will focus on promoting dialogue concerned with the intersectionality of race, gender, class, and sexual identity in Lorde’s works. Guest participants include activist and scholar Angela Davis; Steven Fullwood, assistant curator of the Manuscripts, Archives and Rare Books Division, Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture; and asha bandele, human rights advocate, poet, journalist, and the award-winning author. During the program, there will also be a tribute to Esther Cooper Jackson for her leadership as an editor and publisher of Freedomways Journal. Click here to RSVP for the Audre Lorde: A Burst of Light Symposium”. Wade and Cheryl Hudson 2014 NBWC Youth Day Program Date: Friday, March 21, 2014 Time: 9:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Location: Medgar Evers College, CUNY Founders Auditorium 1650 Bedford Ave. Brooklyn, NY 11225 The Twelfth National Black Writers Conference will host a day of programs geared toward young readers. There will be presentations and readings during an Elementary School Program, coordinated by Just Us Books (9:30 to noon). Just Us Books’ Youth Literacy Program 9:30 a.m.: Welcome: Coordinated by Wade Hudson & Cheryl Willis Hudson, authors and founders of Just Us Books Inc. 9:41 a.m.: Giveaway Contest 10:00 a.m. Presentation by Calvin Alexander Ramsey, author of Ruth and the Green Book andBelle, the Last Mule at Gee’s Bend 10:31 a.m.: Students Reading their Poems & Giveaway Contest 11:00 a.m. Presentation with Jerry Craft, author/illustrator, Mama’s Boyz cartoon series andHillary’s Big Business Adventure and Looking to the Clouds for Daddy; and illustrator George Ford. 11:46 a.m.: – Noon: Giveaway Contest & Wrap-up 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Middle School Program with Greg Walker; and a High School Program coordinated by Nina Angela Mercer Author and poets DuEwa Frazier and Reginald Harris will share poetry and fiction and lead workshops. Twelfth National Black Writers Conference Program Pre-Registration for the 4 day conference is $65. This price does not include the VIP Reception or Talkshops. If you are a student, faculty member or a senior the 4 day conference is discounted to $30. Admission to the conference for one day is $25 or ($15 for student, faculty or seniors). These prices are valid until March 21, 2014. Register here. Thursday, March 27, 2014 Elders Writing Program 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. (*subject to change) Location: Founders Auditorium Medgar Evers College Campus 1650 Bedford Ave. Brooklyn, NY 11225 Members of the Elders Writers Workshop Presentation, Sponsored by JOK Workshop and Poets & Writers. jessica Care moore 2014 NBWC Poetry Cafe 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Location: Central Brooklyn Public Library Dweck Center 10 Grand Army Plaza Brooklyn, NY 11238 This year’s Poetry Café is dedicated to the memory of Amiri Baraka, cosponsored by the Central Brooklyn Public Library and coordinated by Wendy Robinson and Tai Allen. Featured authors and poets include Tony Medina, jessica Care moore, Ed Mabrey, and the works of emerging poets. Friday, March 28, 2014 Tour of African Burial Ground 10 a.m. Limited to 60 people; tour led by T. Rasul Murray 290 Broadway, N.Y. Twelve Years a Slave Solomon Northup's Odyssey (1984) Films Celebrating Activism in Black Literature Noon to 4:00 p.m. Location: Medgar Evers College Founders Auditorium 1650 Bedford Ave. Brooklyn, NY 11225 A selection of short films inspired by and with literary themes. Hosted by African Voices/Reel Sisters, the film presentation will include a screening of Gordon Parks’ Solomon Northup’s Odyssey, which premiered in 1984 and was based on the same book as the award-winning movie 12 Years a Slave. 4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Film panel discussion with African Voices/Reel Sisters A Conversation with Nobel Laureate Derek Walcott “The Search for Self in Caribbean Literature: Past, Present, and Future.” 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Founders Auditorium A Special Literary Event featuring Nobel Laureate Derek Walcott. For this special literary event, poet and playwright Derek Walcott will be joined by the Trinidad-born poet Mervyn Taylor and St. Lucian poet and producer Adrian Augier to participate in a program titled “The Search for Self in Caribbean Literature: Past, Present, and Future.” The conversation will focus on Walcott’s writing life and explore the themes of identity, memory, belonging and spirituality in his work and in Caribbean literature. This program is presented in collaboration with the Center for Black Literature, the Caribbean Research Center and the Caribbean Cultural Theatre Inc. The program is supported with a grant from the New York Council for the Humanities. Click to attend the conversation with Derek Walcott $10 Donation 2014 NBWC Concert: Words Meet Music Jazz concert featuring pianist Onaje Allan Gumbs and recording artists and poets Dasan Ahanu and Tai Allen, and Abiodun Oyewole of The Last Poets. 9:00 p.m. Venue: Olivia 1073 Atlantic Ave. Brooklyn, New York 11238 Click to RSVP - $10 Donation Saturday, March 29, 2014 The NBWC Conference Reading Series Medgar Evers College, Edison O. Jackson Auditorium Academic Complex Building (AB1) 1638 Bedford Ave. Brooklyn, NY 11225 Author readings sponsored by the African American Literature Book Club, the Brooklyn Literary Council, the Pan-African Literary Forum, and the Center for Black Literature. 2014 NBWC John Oliver Killens Reading Series Mũkoma wa Ngũgĩ Brooklyn Literary Council Noon–12:25 p.m. Elsie Augustave, author of The RovingTree; 12:25 p.m.–12:50 p.m. Morowa Yejidé, author of Time of the Locust; 12:50 p.m. –1:15 p.m. Angel Nafis, BlackGirl Mansion African American Literature Book Club (AALBC.com) 1:20 p.m. –1:45 p.m. Kwei Quartey, author of Murder at Cape Three Points; 1:45 p.m. –2:10 p.m. Mũkoma wa Ngũgĩ, Black Star Nairobi.