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The Center for Black Literature at Medgar Evers College, CUNY (CBL) presents the 15th National Black Writers Conference<\/strong>, \u201cActivism, Identity, and Race: Playwrights and Screenwriters at the Crossroads.\u201d It is a public gathering of writers, scholars, literary professionals, theater and film luminaries, students, and the public. The dates are March 26 \u2013 March 29, 2020 and the conference will be held on the campus of Medgar Evers College in Brooklyn, N.Y.<\/p>\n Over the last decade, we have seen an increase in the writing and works by Black playwrights, screenwriters, and scriptwriters. These writers, at a crossroad, are focused on breaking new ground; creating bold new work in theater, film, and television; and expanding the narrative of the Black experience in America and throughout the African Diaspora. During this year\u2019s four-day conference, panelists and special guests will examine the ways race, identity, politics, and popular culture shape the production of plays, films, and television shows. The conference features roundtable conversations, panel discussions, a town hall, film screenings, author readings, writing workshops, and more.<\/p>\n WEDNESDAY, MARCH 11, 2020<\/strong><\/p>\n John Oliver Killens Reading Series Program<\/p>\n 6:30 PM \u2013 8:30 PM TUESDAY, MARCH 24, 2020<\/strong><\/p>\n NBWC Poetry Slam<\/p>\n Time: TBA WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25, 2020<\/strong><\/p>\n Youth Day Literary Program<\/p>\n \uf06e9:00 AM \u2013 12:00 PM \uf06e12:30 PM \u2013 3:00 PM \uf06e1:00 PM\u2013 3:00 PM \uf06e6:00 PM \u2013 9:00 PM The Hate U Give<\/strong> (RT 2 hours 13 minutes) is a 2018 American drama film directed George Tillman Jr. with a screenplay by Audrey Wells. It is based on the 2017 young adult novel (of the same name) by Angie Thomas. | Curated by MILES McAFEE, Communications Specialist, School of Professional and Community Development, Medgar Evers College.<\/p>\n THURSDAY, MARCH 26, 2020<\/strong><\/p>\n Presentation of Conference Papers<\/p>\n 10:00 AM \u2013 3:00 PM Dr. Edith Rock Elders Writing Workshop Presentation Members of the Dr. Edith Rock Elders Writing Workshop will present readings on the theme called “Home Remedies” and will travel the African Diaspora with sharp, funny memories of poultices, powders, and potions created to<\/p>\n maintain wellness in our diverse Black communities. They see this as resistance to gentrification (now kale is cool), big pharma, and, of course, to the racism that physically manifests in the form of disease when we aren’t vigilant about strengthening our physical selves. Curated by EISA ULEN RICHARDSON, Workshop Instructor, Center for Black Literature. Pictured: Members of the Dr. Edith Rock Elders Writing Workshop present at a previous NBWC event at MEC.<\/p>\n NBWC Poetry Cafe\u0301<\/p>\n 6:30 PM \u2013 8:30 PM FRIDAY, MARCH 27, 2020<\/strong><\/p>\n Fiction, Poetry, Screenwriting, and Playwriting Workshops<\/p>\n 11:00 AM \u2013 12:30 PM TOWN HALL<\/p>\n The Role of the Media, Critics, and Reviewers on Black Plays and Film<\/p>\n 11:00 AM \u2013 12:30 PM The conversation will include emerging and seasoned panelists whose work is impacted by professional critics and the media-at-large. Also, audience members will be encouraged to provide their views on the subject and suggest ways for moving forward. Confirmed Speakers: Lisa Corte\u0301s, Vincent Cunningham, David Greaves, Pamela Newkirk, and Marcia Pendelton. | Confirmed Moderator: BRIDGETT M. DAVIS | Sponsored by Our Time Press<\/p>\n ROUNDTABLE<\/p>\n<\/div>\n The Impact of Hip-Hop and Popular Culture on Black Playwriting and Screenwriting 1:00 PM \u2013 2:30 PM Panelists will examine how hip-hop and popular culture has influenced and shaped the plays, films, and television scripts created by Black playwrights, screenwriters, and scriptwriters. They will also look at trends in experimental theater and independent films by Black playwrights and screenwriters. Confirmed Speakers: Dasan Ahanu, Radha Blank (pictured), Shaun Neblett, NSangou Njikam, and Carl Hancock Rux. | Confirmed Moderator: SADE LYTHCOTT<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n ROUNDTABLE<\/p>\n Telling Our Stories: Transcending Barriers and Boundaries on Stage and Screen<\/p>\n 3:00 PM \u2013 4:30 PM Dramatic Presentations<\/p>\n 5:00 PM \u2013 6:00 PM Conference Opening Ceremony<\/p>\n Friday, March 27, 2020 | 7:00 PM \u2013 9:00 PM<\/p>\n Founders Auditorium at Medgar Evers College **<\/p>\n The official opening of the 15th National Black Writers Conference will feature a robust conversation with Ngozi Anyanwu, Stanley Nelson, Woodie King Jr. (pictured), and Voza Rivers. | Confirmed Moderator: NINA ANGELA MERCER. Hosted by LURIE DANIEL-FAVORS<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\nEdison O. Jackson Auditorium at Medgar Evers College (pending) **
\nBlack Divas on Stage: Challenges of Women Playwrights with invited speakers Elizabeth Van Dyke, Lizan Mitchell, Ebony Jo-Ann, and Trazana Beverly. | Curated and Moderated by MARCIA PENDELTON of Walk Tall Girl Productions.<\/p>\n
\nWelcome Center at Medgar Evers College ** Curated by GREEN EARTH POETS CAFE\u0301<\/p>\n
\nFounders Auditorium at Medgar Evers College **
\nElementary school literary program coordinated by WADE and CHERYL HUDSON of Just Us Books.<\/p>\n
\nFounders Auditorium at Medgar Evers College **
\nHigh school literary program coordinated by KEL SPENCER, Program Director, R.O.L.L., Center for Black Literature at Medgar Evers College.<\/p>\n
\nFounders Auditorium at Medgar Evers College **
\nCreative writing workshops with LIZA JESSIE PETERSON and NSANGOU NJIKAM and MICHAEL GREEN.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n
\nFounders Auditorium at Medgar Evers College ** Film Screening and Talkback<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
\nEdison O. Jackson Auditorium at Medgar Evers College **
\nScholars and writers discuss works of honorees and featured speakers who have had their work developed into dramatic plays, screenplays, and documentaries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n3:30 PM \u2013 5:00 PM
\nEdison O. Jackson Auditorium (EOJ) at Medgar Evers College **<\/p>\n
\nDweck Cultural Center at Central Brooklyn Public Library ** Curated by WENDY ROBINSON and TAI ALLEN<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\nMedgar Evers College
\nRooms and Workshop Leaders: TBA
\nConfirmed Workshop Leader: LIZA JESSIE PETERSON (playwriting)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\nEdison O. Jackson Auditorium at Medgar Evers College **
\nPresented as a Community Conversation, the town hall will examine the role of the media, critics, and reviewers in (1) shaping the writing of playwrights and screenwriters and (2) in bringing the dramatic play to the stage and the screenplay to the screen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
\nEdison O. Jackson Auditorium at Medgar Evers College **<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n
\nEdison O. Jackson Auditorium at Medgar Evers College **
\nArtists and writers interrogate their interior lives and collective experiences to document their stories in a country where racism, sexual violence, gender discrimination, alienation, miseducation, immigration, and cultural conflicts are very present. The speakers here will explore these issues in theater, film, and television. Confirmed Speakers: Donja R. Love, Amina Henry, Nina Angela Mercer, and H. \u201cHerukhuti\u201d Sharif Williams. | Confirmed Moderator: DARREL HOLNES<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\nEdison O. Jackson Auditorium at Medgar Evers College **
\n\uf06e 5:00 PM – 5:30 PM: ALEXIS ALLEYNE-CAPUTO, interdisciplinary artist, writer, and filmmaker. \uf06e 5:30 PM \u2013 6:00 PM: TRACIE MORRIS, poet, educator, and performance artist.<\/p>\n\n\n\n