Center for Black Literature | Medgar Evers College

Founded in 2002, the mission of the Center for Black Literature at Medgar Evers College, CUNY (CBL) is to expand, broaden, and enrich the public’s knowledge and aesthetic appreciation of Black literature. The Center is a nationally respected resource for Black writers and the general public to study the literature of people from the African diaspora and from Africa. The Center was also established to institutionalize the National Black Writers Conference (NBWC), founded by John Oliver Killens in 1986 at Medgar Evers College.To achieve its core mission, CBL partners with local high schools, Medgar Evers College, as well as with literary, community, and cultural arts organizations nationwide. With our partners, we present public and academic programs to youth, high school students, college students, and the public. Our offerings include author readings, literary workshops, writer retreats, conferences, symposia, and a biennial journal.Dr. Brenda M. Greene is the founder and executive director of the Center for Black Literature.

Upcoming (8)

Film Presentation and Discussion at the National Black Writers Conference primary image

Film Presentation and Discussion at the National Black Writers Conference

Today • 6:00 PM

Free

Poetry Slam and Open Mic at the National Black Writers Conference NBWC2024 primary image

Poetry Slam and Open Mic at the National Black Writers Conference NBWC2024

Today • 6:00 PM

Free

National Black Writers Conference ALL FOUR DAYS (In-Person) primary image

National Black Writers Conference ALL FOUR DAYS (In-Person)

Tomorrow • 6:30 PM

Check ticket price on event

Michael Eric Dyson, Farah Jasmine Griffin at Nat'l Black Writers Conference primary image

Michael Eric Dyson, Farah Jasmine Griffin at Nat'l Black Writers Conference

Tomorrow • 6:30 PM

Free

Day 2: National Book Award Winner Tiya Miles, Poetry Café, and More! primary image

Day 2: National Book Award Winner Tiya Miles, Poetry Café, and More!

Thursday • 11:00 AM

Check ticket price on event

DAY 3: Marita Golden, Marc Lamont Hill, Bettina Love, Kevin Powell, + More! primary image

DAY 3: Marita Golden, Marc Lamont Hill, Bettina Love, Kevin Powell, + More!

Friday • 1:00 PM

Check ticket price on event

Day 4: Edwidge Danticat, Kwame Dawes, Karen Hunter, Awards, and Much More! primary image

Day 4: Edwidge Danticat, Kwame Dawes, Karen Hunter, Awards, and Much More!

Saturday • 11:00 AM

Check ticket price on event

Talkshops at the National Black Writers Conference (March 23, 2024) primary image

Talkshops at the National Black Writers Conference (March 23, 2024)

Saturday • 11:00 AM

Check ticket price on event

Film Presentation and Discussion at the National Black Writers Conference primary image

Film Presentation and Discussion at the National Black Writers Conference

Today • 6:00 PM

Free

Poetry Slam and Open Mic at the National Black Writers Conference NBWC2024 primary image

Poetry Slam and Open Mic at the National Black Writers Conference NBWC2024

Today • 6:00 PM

Free

National Black Writers Conference ALL FOUR DAYS (In-Person) primary image

National Black Writers Conference ALL FOUR DAYS (In-Person)

Tomorrow • 6:30 PM

Check ticket price on event

Michael Eric Dyson, Farah Jasmine Griffin at Nat'l Black Writers Conference primary image

Michael Eric Dyson, Farah Jasmine Griffin at Nat'l Black Writers Conference

Tomorrow • 6:30 PM

Free

Day 2: National Book Award Winner Tiya Miles, Poetry Café, and More! primary image

Day 2: National Book Award Winner Tiya Miles, Poetry Café, and More!

Thursday • 11:00 AM

Check ticket price on event

DAY 3: Marita Golden, Marc Lamont Hill, Bettina Love, Kevin Powell, + More! primary image

DAY 3: Marita Golden, Marc Lamont Hill, Bettina Love, Kevin Powell, + More!

Friday • 1:00 PM

Check ticket price on event

Day 4: Edwidge Danticat, Kwame Dawes, Karen Hunter, Awards, and Much More! primary image

Day 4: Edwidge Danticat, Kwame Dawes, Karen Hunter, Awards, and Much More!

Saturday • 11:00 AM

Check ticket price on event

Talkshops at the National Black Writers Conference (March 23, 2024) primary image

Talkshops at the National Black Writers Conference (March 23, 2024)

Saturday • 11:00 AM

Check ticket price on event

Past (164)

John Oliver Killens Literary Salon  Black Fire This Time primary image

John Oliver Killens Literary Salon Black Fire This Time

Thu, Sep 28 • 5:30 PM

Check ticket price on event

The Toni Morrison Forever US Stamp: A Celebration primary image

The Toni Morrison Forever US Stamp: A Celebration

Fri, Apr 21 • 11:00 AM

Check ticket price on event

2023 National Black Writers Conference Biennial Symposium | Center4BlackLit primary image

2023 National Black Writers Conference Biennial Symposium | Center4BlackLit

Fri, Mar 31 • 11:00 AM

Check ticket price on event

Women's History Month Discussion Explores Octavia Butler's Novel, Kindred primary image

Women's History Month Discussion Explores Octavia Butler's Novel, Kindred

Thu, Mar 16 • 6:30 PM

Check ticket price on event

Wild Seeds Retreat for Writers of Color primary image

Wild Seeds Retreat for Writers of Color

Thu, Feb 23 • 12:00 AM

Free

Book Launch for Dr. Edith Rock Writing Workshop for Elders primary image

Book Launch for Dr. Edith Rock Writing Workshop for Elders

Wed, Dec 7 • 4:00 PM

Free

Untethered: Independent Publishing + Literary Activism in Black Literature primary image

Untethered: Independent Publishing + Literary Activism in Black Literature

Thu, Nov 10 • 7:00 PM EST

Check ticket price on event

Places of the Heart: Black Writers Explore Love primary image

Places of the Heart: Black Writers Explore Love

Wed, Sep 28 • 6:30 PM EDT

Check ticket price on event

"Letters to America. Senior Writers Ask Questions and Share Visions" primary image

"Letters to America. Senior Writers Ask Questions and Share Visions"

Sun, Jun 26 • 2:00 PM EDT

Check ticket price on event

Black Writers Lighting the Way: A Community Conversation (NBWC2022) primary image

Black Writers Lighting the Way: A Community Conversation (NBWC2022)

Sat, May 14 • 12:00 PM EDT

Check ticket price on event

John Oliver Killens Reading Series National Poetry Month Celebration primary image

John Oliver Killens Reading Series National Poetry Month Celebration

Thu, Apr 28 • 6:30 PM EDT

Check ticket price on event

Pens of Power Post Conf Event | Nat'l Black Writers Conference (NBWC2022) primary image

Pens of Power Post Conf Event | Nat'l Black Writers Conference (NBWC2022)

Thu, Apr 28 • 3:00 PM EDT

Check ticket price on event

John Oliver Killens Literary Salon  Black Fire This Time primary image

John Oliver Killens Literary Salon Black Fire This Time

Thu, Sep 28 • 5:30 PM

Check ticket price on event

The Toni Morrison Forever US Stamp: A Celebration primary image

The Toni Morrison Forever US Stamp: A Celebration

Fri, Apr 21 • 11:00 AM

Check ticket price on event

2023 National Black Writers Conference Biennial Symposium | Center4BlackLit primary image

2023 National Black Writers Conference Biennial Symposium | Center4BlackLit

Fri, Mar 31 • 11:00 AM

Check ticket price on event

Women's History Month Discussion Explores Octavia Butler's Novel, Kindred primary image

Women's History Month Discussion Explores Octavia Butler's Novel, Kindred

Thu, Mar 16 • 6:30 PM

Check ticket price on event

Wild Seeds Retreat for Writers of Color primary image

Wild Seeds Retreat for Writers of Color

Thu, Feb 23 • 12:00 AM

Free

Book Launch for Dr. Edith Rock Writing Workshop for Elders primary image

Book Launch for Dr. Edith Rock Writing Workshop for Elders

Wed, Dec 7 • 4:00 PM

Free

Untethered: Independent Publishing + Literary Activism in Black Literature primary image

Untethered: Independent Publishing + Literary Activism in Black Literature

Thu, Nov 10 • 7:00 PM EST

Check ticket price on event

Places of the Heart: Black Writers Explore Love primary image

Places of the Heart: Black Writers Explore Love

Wed, Sep 28 • 6:30 PM EDT

Check ticket price on event

"Letters to America. Senior Writers Ask Questions and Share Visions" primary image

"Letters to America. Senior Writers Ask Questions and Share Visions"

Sun, Jun 26 • 2:00 PM EDT

Check ticket price on event

Black Writers Lighting the Way: A Community Conversation (NBWC2022) primary image

Black Writers Lighting the Way: A Community Conversation (NBWC2022)

Sat, May 14 • 12:00 PM EDT

Check ticket price on event

John Oliver Killens Reading Series National Poetry Month Celebration primary image

John Oliver Killens Reading Series National Poetry Month Celebration

Thu, Apr 28 • 6:30 PM EDT

Check ticket price on event

Pens of Power Post Conf Event | Nat'l Black Writers Conference (NBWC2022) primary image

Pens of Power Post Conf Event | Nat'l Black Writers Conference (NBWC2022)

Thu, Apr 28 • 3:00 PM EDT

Check ticket price on event

Founded in 2002, the mission of the Center for Black Literature at Medgar Evers College, CUNY (CBL) is to expand, broaden, and enrich the public’s knowledge and aesthetic appreciation of Black literature. The Center is a nationally respected resource for Black writers and the general public to study the literature of people from the African diaspora and from Africa. The Center was also established to institutionalize the National Black Writers Conference (NBWC), founded by John Oliver Killens in 1986 at Medgar Evers College.To achieve its core mission, CBL partners with local high schools, Medgar Evers College, as well as with literary, community, and cultural arts organizations nationwide. With our partners, we present public and academic programs to youth, high school students, college students, and the public. Our offerings include author readings, literary workshops, writer retreats, conferences, symposia, and a biennial journal.Dr. Brenda M. Greene is the founder and executive director of the Center for Black Literature.

Events

Film Presentation and Discussion at the National Black Writers Conference primary image

Film Presentation and Discussion at the National Black Writers Conference

Today • 6:00 PM

Free

Poetry Slam and Open Mic at the National Black Writers Conference NBWC2024 primary image

Poetry Slam and Open Mic at the National Black Writers Conference NBWC2024

Today • 6:00 PM

Free

National Black Writers Conference ALL FOUR DAYS (In-Person) primary image

National Black Writers Conference ALL FOUR DAYS (In-Person)

Tomorrow • 6:30 PM

Check ticket price on event

Michael Eric Dyson, Farah Jasmine Griffin at Nat'l Black Writers Conference primary image

Michael Eric Dyson, Farah Jasmine Griffin at Nat'l Black Writers Conference

Tomorrow • 6:30 PM

Free

Day 2: National Book Award Winner Tiya Miles, Poetry Café, and More! primary image

Day 2: National Book Award Winner Tiya Miles, Poetry Café, and More!

Thursday • 11:00 AM

Check ticket price on event

DAY 3: Marita Golden, Marc Lamont Hill, Bettina Love, Kevin Powell, + More! primary image

DAY 3: Marita Golden, Marc Lamont Hill, Bettina Love, Kevin Powell, + More!

Friday • 1:00 PM

Check ticket price on event

Day 4: Edwidge Danticat, Kwame Dawes, Karen Hunter, Awards, and Much More! primary image

Day 4: Edwidge Danticat, Kwame Dawes, Karen Hunter, Awards, and Much More!

Saturday • 11:00 AM

Check ticket price on event

Talkshops at the National Black Writers Conference (March 23, 2024) primary image

Talkshops at the National Black Writers Conference (March 23, 2024)

Saturday • 11:00 AM

Check ticket price on event

Film Presentation and Discussion at the National Black Writers Conference primary image

Film Presentation and Discussion at the National Black Writers Conference

Today • 6:00 PM

Free

Poetry Slam and Open Mic at the National Black Writers Conference NBWC2024 primary image

Poetry Slam and Open Mic at the National Black Writers Conference NBWC2024

Today • 6:00 PM

Free

National Black Writers Conference ALL FOUR DAYS (In-Person) primary image

National Black Writers Conference ALL FOUR DAYS (In-Person)

Tomorrow • 6:30 PM

Check ticket price on event

Michael Eric Dyson, Farah Jasmine Griffin at Nat'l Black Writers Conference primary image

Michael Eric Dyson, Farah Jasmine Griffin at Nat'l Black Writers Conference

Tomorrow • 6:30 PM

Free

Day 2: National Book Award Winner Tiya Miles, Poetry Café, and More! primary image

Day 2: National Book Award Winner Tiya Miles, Poetry Café, and More!

Thursday • 11:00 AM

Check ticket price on event

DAY 3: Marita Golden, Marc Lamont Hill, Bettina Love, Kevin Powell, + More! primary image

DAY 3: Marita Golden, Marc Lamont Hill, Bettina Love, Kevin Powell, + More!

Friday • 1:00 PM

Check ticket price on event

Day 4: Edwidge Danticat, Kwame Dawes, Karen Hunter, Awards, and Much More! primary image

Day 4: Edwidge Danticat, Kwame Dawes, Karen Hunter, Awards, and Much More!

Saturday • 11:00 AM

Check ticket price on event

Talkshops at the National Black Writers Conference (March 23, 2024) primary image

Talkshops at the National Black Writers Conference (March 23, 2024)

Saturday • 11:00 AM

Check ticket price on event

John Oliver Killens Literary Salon  Black Fire This Time primary image

John Oliver Killens Literary Salon Black Fire This Time

Thu, Sep 28 • 5:30 PM

Check ticket price on event

The Toni Morrison Forever US Stamp: A Celebration primary image

The Toni Morrison Forever US Stamp: A Celebration

Fri, Apr 21 • 11:00 AM

Check ticket price on event

2023 National Black Writers Conference Biennial Symposium | Center4BlackLit primary image

2023 National Black Writers Conference Biennial Symposium | Center4BlackLit

Fri, Mar 31 • 11:00 AM

Check ticket price on event

Women's History Month Discussion Explores Octavia Butler's Novel, Kindred primary image

Women's History Month Discussion Explores Octavia Butler's Novel, Kindred

Thu, Mar 16 • 6:30 PM

Check ticket price on event

Wild Seeds Retreat for Writers of Color primary image

Wild Seeds Retreat for Writers of Color

Thu, Feb 23 • 12:00 AM

Free

Book Launch for Dr. Edith Rock Writing Workshop for Elders primary image

Book Launch for Dr. Edith Rock Writing Workshop for Elders

Wed, Dec 7 • 4:00 PM

Free

Untethered: Independent Publishing + Literary Activism in Black Literature primary image

Untethered: Independent Publishing + Literary Activism in Black Literature

Thu, Nov 10 • 7:00 PM EST

Check ticket price on event

Places of the Heart: Black Writers Explore Love primary image

Places of the Heart: Black Writers Explore Love

Wed, Sep 28 • 6:30 PM EDT

Check ticket price on event

"Letters to America. Senior Writers Ask Questions and Share Visions" primary image

"Letters to America. Senior Writers Ask Questions and Share Visions"

Sun, Jun 26 • 2:00 PM EDT

Check ticket price on event

Black Writers Lighting the Way: A Community Conversation (NBWC2022) primary image

Black Writers Lighting the Way: A Community Conversation (NBWC2022)

Sat, May 14 • 12:00 PM EDT

Check ticket price on event

John Oliver Killens Reading Series National Poetry Month Celebration primary image

John Oliver Killens Reading Series National Poetry Month Celebration

Thu, Apr 28 • 6:30 PM EDT

Check ticket price on event

Pens of Power Post Conf Event | Nat'l Black Writers Conference (NBWC2022) primary image

Pens of Power Post Conf Event | Nat'l Black Writers Conference (NBWC2022)

Thu, Apr 28 • 3:00 PM EDT

Check ticket price on event

John Oliver Killens Literary Salon  Black Fire This Time primary image

John Oliver Killens Literary Salon Black Fire This Time

Thu, Sep 28 • 5:30 PM

Check ticket price on event

The Toni Morrison Forever US Stamp: A Celebration primary image

The Toni Morrison Forever US Stamp: A Celebration

Fri, Apr 21 • 11:00 AM

Check ticket price on event

2023 National Black Writers Conference Biennial Symposium | Center4BlackLit primary image

2023 National Black Writers Conference Biennial Symposium | Center4BlackLit

Fri, Mar 31 • 11:00 AM

Check ticket price on event

Women's History Month Discussion Explores Octavia Butler's Novel, Kindred primary image

Women's History Month Discussion Explores Octavia Butler's Novel, Kindred

Thu, Mar 16 • 6:30 PM

Check ticket price on event

Wild Seeds Retreat for Writers of Color primary image

Wild Seeds Retreat for Writers of Color

Thu, Feb 23 • 12:00 AM

Free

Book Launch for Dr. Edith Rock Writing Workshop for Elders primary image

Book Launch for Dr. Edith Rock Writing Workshop for Elders

Wed, Dec 7 • 4:00 PM

Free

Untethered: Independent Publishing + Literary Activism in Black Literature primary image

Untethered: Independent Publishing + Literary Activism in Black Literature

Thu, Nov 10 • 7:00 PM EST

Check ticket price on event

Places of the Heart: Black Writers Explore Love primary image

Places of the Heart: Black Writers Explore Love

Wed, Sep 28 • 6:30 PM EDT

Check ticket price on event

"Letters to America. Senior Writers Ask Questions and Share Visions" primary image

"Letters to America. Senior Writers Ask Questions and Share Visions"

Sun, Jun 26 • 2:00 PM EDT

Check ticket price on event

Black Writers Lighting the Way: A Community Conversation (NBWC2022) primary image

Black Writers Lighting the Way: A Community Conversation (NBWC2022)

Sat, May 14 • 12:00 PM EDT

Check ticket price on event

John Oliver Killens Reading Series National Poetry Month Celebration primary image

John Oliver Killens Reading Series National Poetry Month Celebration

Thu, Apr 28 • 6:30 PM EDT

Check ticket price on event

Pens of Power Post Conf Event | Nat'l Black Writers Conference (NBWC2022) primary image

Pens of Power Post Conf Event | Nat'l Black Writers Conference (NBWC2022)

Thu, Apr 28 • 3:00 PM EDT

Check ticket price on event