“Black writers have historically turned lived struggle into powerful art—illuminating truth, inspiring action, and envisioning new futures. This Conference brings together voices of the African diaspora whose words push boundaries and empower change. Their narratives offer critical insight into the struggle for civil and human rights, using literature to confront obstacles, illuminate injustice, and inspire change while sustaining and strengthening us through challenging times. This Conference will explore how writers across the African diaspora address these issues through fiction, poetry, scholarship, screenwriting, and plays.”

“Please join the CSU Creative Writing Program, the Department of English, and Wesleyan University Press as we celebrate the release of new poetry collections by Guggenheim Fellows Camille Dungy and Dan Beachy-Quick. The event will be taking place at Bas Bleu Theatre on May 2nd from 5:00-7:00 PM. Old Firehouse Books will be at the event vending both the new releases as well as the past releases of these two authors. If you’d like to purchase a copy ahead of time you may do so online or in store! We can’t wait to see you there!”

“The Hudson Valley Writers Center is proud to present a monthly craft series featuring four award-winning writers & beloved teachers. Each writer will share insights gleaned from decades of devoting themselves to studying the craft of poetry or prose. Unlike a workshop environment that prioritizes student work and student-led conversation in single or weekly sessions, these monthly lectures will provide the much-desired chance to listen to some of today’s most renowned writers’ valuable wisdom, uninterrupted, and spaced out intentionally over the course of five months.”

“For nearly three decades, guests of Poets House have crossed the Brooklyn Bridge at sunset, reveling in the words of Walt Whitman, Marianne Moore, Langston Hughes, and other historic poetic luminaries who have paid tribute to New York City. Celebrated contemporary poets serve as guides on this journey, reading their predecessors’ work as well as their own writings beneath John Augustus Roebling’s iconic arches. The journey from Manhattan to Brooklyn traditionally closes with a reading of Walt Whitman’s “Crossing Brooklyn Ferry,” followed by a celebratory dinner enlivened by more poetry.

This rare gathering of poets and poetry lovers is Poets House’s annual benefit. Ticket sales to the Poetry Walk support all that we do, including our wide range of programs and services, most of which are free to the public.”