National Black Writers Conference in NYC to Pay Tribute to John Oliver Killens

National Black Writers Conference Announces Gathering in 2004 "Friends, Scholars, and Students of John Oliver Killens Pay Tribute to the Man and Discuss His Work"

Brooklyn, New York (PRWEB) January 9, 2004 --The Center for Black Literature at Medgar Evers College of the City University of New York will sponsor the Seventh National Annual Black Writers Conference: A Tribute and Symposium on John Oliver Killens from Thursday, March 25, 2004 through Saturday, March 27, 2004. The gathering will open on Thursday evening at the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture in New York. Award winning journalist, Gil Noble, will deliver the keynote speech Thursday evening at the Schomburg. This "Gathering of Literary Galaxies" attracts today's most gifted and prolific black and Latino literary individuals.

Conference activities begin on Friday, March 26th at Medgar Evers College with workshops, readings, storytelling and cultural performances. Panel discussions and testimonials will take place on Saturday, March 27, 2004. Registration fees vary. Discounts are available for early registrants and college students with proper ID. For further information, call (718) 270-6976, visit the website www.mec.cuny.edu/nbwc, or send an email to LvelascoMedia@mec.cuny.edu. The NBWC hotline number is (718) 270-4811.

Invited participants come from a stellar roster of writers, poets, scholars, and actors. They include John A. Williams, Quincy Troupe, Marita Golden,, Paule Marshall, Woodie King, Manthia Diawara, Ossie Davis, Ruby Dee, Louis Reyes Rivera, Arthur Flowers, Nellie Rosario, Kenji Jasper, George Edward Tait, Elombe Brath, Sam Yette, Brenda Wilkenson, Bernard Bell, Obery Hendricks, and Walter Dean Myers.

The National Black Writers Conference (NBWC) generates probing discussion and initiatives relating to the literature of people of African ancestry. The theme for this year's conference, A Tribute and Symposium on John Oliver Killens: Culture and Politics in Black Literature, will enable experts, advocates, and supporters of John Oliver Killens to gather for a full range of literary/arts activities over a three day period. Panels, workshops, author readings, a poetry/hip hop showcase, storytelling, dramatic readings, and a book fair are just some of the features of this year's conference. Key discussions will address issues such as the role of culture and politics in black literature, the literary work of John Oliver Killens, and the role of John Oliver Killens as writer and activist. In addition, workshops on book proposal, fiction, poetry, and creative non fiction will be offered to participants.

Under the direction of Dr. Brenda Greene, The Center for Black Literature builds on the strength of previous National Black Writers Conferences. The Center was established to increase the public's knowledge and appreciation for Black literature and the myriad of issues surrounding this field. The conference averages 2,000 registrants yearly from across the country.

The Center for Black Literature is grateful for the collaborative support of institutions and organizations such as Medgar Evers College of the City Unversity of New York; the CUNY Office of Academic Affairs of the City University of New York: The Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, and the New York Times.
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