richardmurray

2023 National Black Writers Conference Biennial Symposium | Center4BlackLit
Join Us for DIASPORIC VISIONS: A CELEBRATION OF BLACK SPECULATIVE FICTION with NBWC2023 Honorees Sheree Renée Thomas + Jewell Parker Rhodes

By Center for Black Literature | Medgar Evers College

Date and time
Fri, Mar 31, 2023, 11:00 AM – Sat, Apr 1, 2023, 7:00 PM EDT

Cost

$0 – $22.09

Registration page- more information below
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2023-national-black-writers-conference-biennial-symposium-center4blacklit-registration-523799627787

Location
Medgar Evers College, CUNY - Edison O. Jackson Auditorium 1638 Bedford Avenue New York, NY 11225

DESCRIPTION

Black speculative fiction encompasses and blurs the genres of magical realism, futurism, horror, fantasy, paranormal, and mythology. These imaginative stories enable writers to create alternative and futuristic worlds, narratives rooted in traditional beliefs and spirituality, and stories that center the Black experience. The stories also raise questions about colonialism, racism, identity, and gender.

At the 2023 National Black Writers Conference Biennial Symposium Diasporic Visions: A Celebration of Black Speculative Fiction, writers and scholars will discuss the genre’s history and themes, as well as emerging scholarship on the genre. The public gathering will feature interactive roundtable discussions, conversations, and opportunities for attendees to engage with fellow writers, readers, and fans of the genre.

Annually, the annual award presentation at the National Black Writers Conference honors distinguished internationally acclaimed writers. This year, award-winning authors Sheree Renée Thomas and Jewell Parker Rhodes will receive the Octavia E. Butler Award.

Other confirmed writers are Dr. Reynaldo Anderson, Tananarive Due, Jewelle Gomez, Deirdre Hollman, Wayétu Moore, L. Penelope, and Tim Fielder, among others.

The core program will be in-person at Medgar Evers College in Brooklyn. Presentations on the scholarship in the genre will be offered virtually. Symposium highlights include a free Youth Day program, pre-symposium thematic events, interactive discussions, online and on-location Black booksellers, and more.

CALENDAR
PRE-SYMPOSIUM EVENTS (Thursday, March 30)
Youth Day (In Person)
Middle School and High School Program (9:00 am to 12:00 pm)

Curated by Mo Beasley

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Primary School Program (1:00 pm to 3:00 pm)

Curated by Cathie Wright-Lewis

PLEASE NOTE: Youth Day is open only to ROLL program students and other NYC high school students. For more information on the ROLL program, contact Cathie Wright-Lewis at wrightlewis@centerforblackliterature.org
NBWC2023 CORE PROGRAM
DAY ONE (FRIDAY, MARCH 31)
Medgar Evers College Open Mic
6:00 pm to 8:00 pm

Academic Complex Lobby

Co-Presented by Medgar Evers College’s Office of the Dean of Students, Office of Student Life, and the Student Government Association

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Scholarly Paper Presentations on Diasporic Visions: A Celebration of Black Speculative Fiction, Sheree Renée Thomas, and Jewell Parker Rhodes (Virtual)
10:00 am to 3:00 pm

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Dr. Edith Rock Writing Workshop Presentation (In Person)
3:30 pm to 5:00 pm

Edison O. Jackson Auditorium

DAY TWO (SATURDAY, APRIL 1)
Diasporic Visions: The Evolution of Black Speculative Fiction from Print to Film
11:00 am to 12:30 pm

Confirmed Speakers: Dr. Reynaldo Anderson, Jewelle Gomez, Rasheedah Phillips | Moderator: L. Penelope

Edison O. Jackson Auditorium

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Black Speculative Fiction’s Impact on Popular Culture
1:00 pm to 2:30 pm

Confirmed Speakers: Tim Fielders, Jesse J. Holland, Christine Taylor-Butler, Ytasha Womack | Moderator: Jarvis Sheffield

Sponsored by the Black Science Fiction Society

Edison O. Jackson Auditorium

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The Presence of Africa in Black Speculative Fiction
3:00 to 4:30 pm

Confirmed Speakers: Tananarive Due, Anita Kopacz, and Wayétu Moore | Moderator: Deirdre Hollman

Edison O. Jackson Auditorium

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NBWC2023 Honorees’ Spotlight: A Conversation with Sheree Renée Thomas and Jewell Parker Rhodes
5:00 pm to 6:00 pm

Moderator: Dr. Reynaldo Anderson

Edison O. Jackson Auditorium

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Silent Auction
A variety of personal and professional items will be on display and available for purchase by NBWC2023 attendees. This is a creative way to ensure that the legacy of the Center for Black Literature is sustained.

6:15 pm to 6:30 pm

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Octavia E. Butler Award Presentation
6:30 pm to 7:15 pm

MC: Novella Ford

Edison O. Jackson Auditorium

The Octavia E. Butler Award is presented to the writer whose body of work exhibits excellence in the field of science fiction and fantasy. The award recognizes the writer whose achievements and dedication are to creating a body of speculative literature that stretches the imagination and promotes the genres of fantasy, science fiction, and speculative fiction. Steven Barnes and Tananarive Due are previous recipients of this award.

Refund Policy
Contact the organizer to request a refund.

Google map directions 
driving
https://maps.google.com/?saddr=Current+Location&daddr=40.6666382,-73.95654890000003&mode=driving
walking
https://maps.google.com/?saddr=Current+Location&daddr=40.6666382,-73.95654890000003&dirflg=w
mass transit
https://maps.google.com/?saddr=Current+Location&daddr=40.6666382,-73.95654890000003&mode=transit&dirflg=r
cycling
https://maps.google.com/?saddr=Current+Location&daddr=40.6666382,-73.95654890000003&mode=bicycling&dirflg=b

NBWC2023 Marketplace Vendor Application
VENDORS ARE WELCOME!

Apply by Friday, February 17, 2023
We're Celebrating "Diasporic Visions:
A Celebration of Black Speculative Fiction"

Submit Vendor Application by Friday, February 17, 2023

Apply online via this Google Form: https://forms.gle/xU1totuS612fePKk6.

Charlotte E. Hunter, NBWC’s vendor coordinator, will acknowledge all applications. If the vendor application is approved, applicants will receive an official invitation to join the CBL Marketplace. Please check your inbox and your SPAM/junk folders regularly. Please Note: Applicants are not confirmed as a vendor until they receive and accept the official invitation from Mrs. Hunter. At that point, applicants will receive the NBWC Official Vendor Registration Form (see registration fees below). Vendors must formally register if selected as a vendor by March 13, 2023. No late forms will be accepted.

NBWC MARKETPLACE PAYMENT INFORMATION

Application Fee: $10 (required; non-refundable)

Registration Fee (Products; Non-Books): $150

Non-Profit Registration Fee: $50

Self-Published Authors Registration Fee: $40 (a copy of the work must be submitted)

IMPORTANT NOTICES. PLEASE READ CAREFULLY.

1. Applicants will be notified only if they are selected to vend. Applying for a space does not guarantee official status as a vendor.

2. CBL reserves the right to cancel the status of a confirmed vendor if their product or service is deemed inappropriate by CBL standards. In this case, the vendor registration fee will be refunded fully (but the application fee remains non-refundable).

3. The NBWC marketplace will take place on Saturday, April 1, 2023 (10:00 am to 6:00 pm) at Medgar Evers College (Academic Building 1/AB1 located at 1638 Bedford Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11225).

OFFICIAL SITE
https://centerforblackliterature.org/nbwc2023-vendors/