The Center for Black Literature announced its Winter/Spring 2026 programming, leading up to its annual premiere event, the 18th National Black Writers Conference, taking place on March 25 through March 28, at Medgar Evers College in Brooklyn.
“The work of the Center for Black Literature is more vital now than ever. At a time when the voices and literary contributions of the Black Diaspora are increasingly challenged, we remain committed to illuminating, preserving, and uplifting our stories — past, present, and future," said Donna Hill, executive director of the Center for Black Literature.
On Thursday, March 12, from 6:00pm – 7:30pm, CBL presents The Cost of Being Strong: Black Women, Health, and Wholeness for an evening of conversation with Dr. Venise Berry, author of The Black Superwoman & Mental Health: Power & Pain, and Marita Golden, author of The Strong Black Woman: How a Myth Endangers the Physical and Mental Health of Black Women. The discussion will delve deeper into—and center—Black women’s mental health and well-being. The conversation is moderated by Dr. Makeba Pinder, director of the Office of Counseling and Psychological Services, Medgar Evers College. This is a virtual event.
The 18th National Black Writers Conference opens on Wednesday, March 25, with a thought-provoking conversation between Nikole Hannah-Jones and Michael Harriot 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 CBL.
Confirmed conference participants include Honorée Fanonne Jeffers, Victor LaValle, Cebo Campbell, Ayo Sekai, and other acclaimed Black writers and cultural thought leaders.
Attendees will hear from these authors during engaging roundtables, including, Climate Change, Restoration of the Planet: Voices from African Diasporic Writers; Beyond Banned Books and the Censorship of African Diasporic Literature; and African Diasporic Literature: Paths Toward Resilience and Healing.
The conference concludes on Saturday, March 28, with a plenary discussion with honorees on the conference theme and the National Black Writers Conference awards ceremony, moderated by Lurie Daniel Favors, attorney, author, speaker and radio host on Sirius XM Radio. This year’s honorees are: Camille Dungy, Kassahun Checole and Imani Perry.
Established in 1986 at Medgar Evers College by the esteemed novelist John Oliver Killens, the National Black Writers Conference is a public gathering that celebrates the enduring legacy, artistry, and impact of Black writers. For nearly four decades, the conference has featured an illustrious roster of participant, 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.
"The 18th National Black Writers Conference, Expanding Conversations on Environmental Justice, Resilience, Healing and Peace, demonstrates how literature informs, inspires, and transforms, while ensuring these essential conversations continue for generations to come," Hill said.
For registration, click here. General inquiries may be directed to [email protected] or (718) 804-8884.
