The
Mosaic
Literary
Conference

Thanks to everyone who attended this year’s Mosaic Literary Conference.

The Mosaic Literary Conference fosters a collaborative space for individuals interested in literature, education, and the arts. MLC plays a crucial role in promoting creative thinking and knowledge sharing within the community. By inviting educators, community and arts organizations, as well as the general public, the conference facilitates a diverse and inclusive exchange of ideas.


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2024 SCHEDULE

The Mosaic Literary Conference: James Baldwin at 100 explored the rich diversity of subject matter that Baldwin's work encompassed and offered a comprehensive exploration of his legacy: race, gender identity, policing, and other pressing issues.

November 23, 2024
Andrew Freedman Home, Bronx NY

12:00-12:50: Workshop
THE BODY KNOWS: WRITING AS WITNESS
James Baldwin reminds us that "the world is before you, and you need not take it or leave it as it was when you came in." This workshop explores writing as embodied witness, drawing from somatic storytelling and collective healing practices to access the wisdom our bodies hold across generations.
Facilitator: Antoinette Cooper

 

1:00-1:50: Panel
BALDWIN AND BLACK MASCULINITIES: THEN AND NOW
With brief excerpts of Baldwin's essay and fiction, the panelists will, in a dynamic and generational conversation, extend a critical analysis of the personal, cultural, and political themes in Baldwin's work that drive constructions of the interiorities of Black manhood in the American and global context.
Panelists: Brad Walrond, Joel Francois, and Craig Knight

 

2:00-3:50: Screening & Panel
SOUL! JAMES BALDWIN AND NIKKI GIOVANNI TALK BACK
Join us for a rare public screening of a conversation between James Baldwin and Nikki Giovanni. A lively discussion will follow the screening.
Panelists: tasha dougé, Tai Allen, and Paul Cato

 

4:00-4:50: Panel
WRITING AS PLACE-MAKING AND PLACE-KEEPING: JAMES BALDWIN AND THE POWER OF LANGUAGE
This panel will explore how James Baldwin's literary work engages with the concepts of place-making and place-keeping, focusing on three distinct urban environments: Harlem, Paris, and Istanbul.
Panelists: Achille Tenkiang, Stephanie Dinsae, and Anakwa Dwamena

 

5:00-5:30: Workshop
JAMES BALDWIN AT 100 FOR “TEACHERS”
Baldwin's identity as a Black, queer writer also opens doors for cross-curricular study in history and media, including film adaptations like I Am Not Your Negro. “Teachers” can further deepen understanding by hosting debates on Baldwin's ideas, inspiring creative projects like art or essays, and inviting community speakers to share Baldwin's impact on their lives.
Facilitator: Branden Janese

 

Official Bookseller

 
 
 

Programs of the Literary Freedom Project are made possible in part by the Mellon Foundation; Rockefeller Brothers Fund and The Pocantico Center; New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, in partnership with the City Council; New York State Council on the Arts. In-kind support was provided by Legacy Lit

 
 
 


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PAST
CONFERENCES

The Mosaic Literary Conference fosters a collaborative space for individuals interested in literature, education, and the arts. MLC plays a crucial role in promoting creative thinking and knowledge sharing within the community.

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MOSAIC
LITERARY
MAGAZINE

Inspired by the annual conference, Mosaic is a print and virtual publication showcasing the work of writers of African and Latinx descent.

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