CONFERENCE: National Black Writers Conference
Thursday, March 29-Sunday, April 1
Website: nationalblackwritersconference.org
Major funding provided by: National Endowment for the Arts
Media support provided by: African American Literature Book Club, AKILA Worksongs, Inc.
Website: nationalblackwritersconference.org
Facebook: facebook.com/NationalBlackWritersConference| Twitter: @NBWConference

*Visit website for schedule of events*

As our society becomes increasingly globalized, the themes in the literary texts and literature created by black writers throughout the African diasporic communities of the Americas, Africa, Asia, and Europe are shifting and expanding in varying ways. There is recognition of the importance and value of preserving cultural memory and identity and of cultivating and nurturing cultural and geographical spaces. At the same time, there is also a recognition that politics and popular culture shape what we respond to, what we read, what gets published, what we teach, and what conversations we have in our literary communities, in the media, in our educational institutions, in our work environments, and in our homes.

Through novels, stories, poems, plays, memoirs, and essays, black writers have explored the importance of memory on our concepts of self and family. They have examined the impact of popular culture on our personal lives, belief systems, values, and traditions. And they have chronicled what happens when we neglect and do not nurture our natural environment. In essence, they have used the power of words and the literary arts to stir our imagination and to motivate us to affirm, critique, and reflect on our responses to personal, societal, and environmental issues in our lives. The Eleventh National Black Writers Conference will provide writers, scholars, literary professionals, students, and the general public with a forum for engaging in dynamic and spirited conversations, panel discussions, readings, workshops, and performances on themes related to migration, cultural memory, popular culture, and the natural environment.

2012 NBWC Honorees

• Ishmael Reed – John Oliver Killens Lifetime Achievement Award
• Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o – W. E. B. Du Bois Award
• Nikki Giovanni - Gwendolyn Brooks Award
• Dr. Howard Dodson – Ida B. Wells Institutional Leadership Award

Saturday, March 17, 2012 @ 4pm
Central Library, Dweck Center, located in the Brooklyn Public Library (Grand Army Plaza, 10 Grand Army Plaza  Brooklyn, NY 11238)

Finney Reads from Head Off & Split, which recently won the National Book Award. The reading is presented in conjunction with the National Black Writers Conference, www.nationalblackwritersconference.org.

(jessica Care moore. Photo by Moses Mitchell)

CONVERSATION: In Conversation Danny Simmons and jessica Care moore
Thursday, March 8, 2012 | 7 pm
Iris and B. Gerald Cantor Auditorium, 3rd Floor, Brooklyn Museum, located at 200 Eastern Parkway Brooklyn, NY
Admission: $12; $8 for members and cultural colleagues
For tickets*, visit http://bit.ly/zMR5Lf

jessica Care moore, poet, publisher, and founder of Black Women Rock!, and Danny Simmons, painter, author, and co-creator of Def Poetry Jam, discuss the state of black poetry and literature today, following a [Noir Music Series] performance by a group of legendary poets and writers. *Seating is limited, and advance ticket purchase is recommended via http://bit.ly/zMR5Lf.

CONCERT: Noir Music Series launches as benefit for National Black Writers Conference
Program of the 2012 National Black Writer’s Conference
Kick-off celebrates the blurred boundaries between music and spoken word
Featuring Jessica Care Moore, Tuan X, DJ Reborn, i (am) isis, Humuni (Ish & Mega)
Hosted by Shanelle Gabriel, Gabe & Tai Allen
Friday, March 2 | at Free Candy, located at 903 Atlantic Avenue in Brooklyn. Admission: General - $15 | Students - $8 | Group Rates Available
Website:noirmusicseries.com |  Facebook: http://on.fb.me/zZUcra
Tickets: http://bit.ly/xotf0F

February 21, 2012 (NY) — Vicelounge, in conjunction with the National Black Writers Conference 2012 present Noir, Friday, March 2 at Free Candy in Brooklyn.

Headlined by internationally renowned poet/playwright/rock star Jessica Care Moore, Noir features some of the city’s best and brightest, who are known just as much for being amazing emcees and vocalists as they are for their written word.

Noir, curated by poet/singer/producer/creative Tai Allen, launches as a benefit and pre-conference celebration for the National Black Writer’s Conference (NWBC). The kick-off event highlights the blurred boundaries between music and poetry, featuring rock/hip-hop/soul hybrids, Jessica Care Moore & (i am) isis; hip-hop, HumUni (Ish & Mega of UrbanWord fame); R&B/hip-hop Tuan X; and soul music, Shanelle Gabriel & vicelounge.

“We started the Noir Music Series as a benefit to support one of our top priorities…Black art and culture,” explained Tai Allen. “Since every member is a multi-disciplinary artist, it just made sense to bring awareness by developing a concert showcasing poets/writers who are also talented musicians.”

Moore agreed, “I have been an audience member and artist at the National Black Writers Conference over the years. This institution is so vital to writers and poets of the African diaspora. We must continue to support festivals and conferences that give writers of color a voice. I’m honored to be participating this year.”

Inspired by the late John Oliver Killens, since 1986, the National Black Writers Conference has brought together writers, critics, booksellers, book reviewers, educators, students, and the general public in a dialogue on emerging themes, trends, and issues in black literature. 

“We see this concert as a celebration and acknowledgement of soul of the poet, a celebration which can be traced back to the griots of Africa,” said NBWC founder Dr. Brenda Greene. “Our griots were storytellers who used performance and dance to chronicle their lives and celebrate their culture. There was no distinction between dance, music and storytelling. This concert thus embodies the legacy of a cultural tradition which spans centuries.”

For more information, visit noirmusicseries.com. For interviews, images or other supporting materials, please email cbrewer@dwworldmedia.com