LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending the Center for Black Literature upon
the occasion of hosting its 13th National Black Writers Conference from
March 31-April 3, 2016, and paying tribute to this year's honorees

WHEREAS, It is the intent of this Legislative Body, in keeping with its
time-honored traditions, to recognize and pay tribute to those organiza-
tions which foster ethnic pride and enhance the profile of cultural
diversity which strengthens the fabric of the communities of New York
State; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commend
the Center for Black Literature upon the occasion of hosting its 13th
National Black Writers Conference from March 31-April 3, 2016, and to
pay tribute to this year's honorees; and
WHEREAS, The 2016 National Black Writers Conference award honorees
represent the vast richness of Black literature and culture and include:
Rita Dove, recipient of the John Oliver Killens Lifetime Achievement
Award; Edwidge Danticat, recipient of the Toni Morrison Award; Michael
Eric Dyson, recipient of the Richard Wright Award; Charles Johnson,
recipient of the W. E. B. Du Bois Award; and Woodie King Jr., recipient
of the Ida B. Wells Institutional Leadership Award; and
WHEREAS, Founded in 1986, the National Black Writers Conference was
established at Medgar Evers College through the visionary leadership of
the late John O. Killens; it was first convened to bring together writ-
ers, critics, booksellers, book reviewers, publishers, and the general
public in order to establish a dialogue on the social responsibility of
the Black writer; and
WHEREAS, Over the years, this esteemed literary event has included
discussions on various aspects of Black literature, the significance of
literary works produced by people of the African diaspora, and the
impact that this literature has had and continues to have not only on
African-American culture but on American culture in general; and
WHEREAS, In 2003, the Center for Black Literature was founded to
expand, broaden, and enrich the public's knowledge and aesthetic appre-
ciation of the value of Black literature; it has since supported numer-
ous literary programs and events which serve as a forum for the research
and study of Black literature; and
WHEREAS, Through the National Black Writers Conferences and other
programs sponsored by the Center for Black Literature, students, schol-
ars, established as well as aspiring writers and poets, and the general
public have all become more aware of and appreciative of the importance
of Black literature and the writers who have made tremendous contrib-
utions to the African-American and Western literary canons; and
WHEREAS, The theme of the 2016 NBWC, "Writing Race: Embracing Differ-
ence," seeks to place the issues of race and difference at the forefront
of literature produced by Black writers, and will feature dynamic panel
discussions, roundtables, readings, films, workshops and performances;
and
WHEREAS, Over the course of four days, numerous writers, scholars,
literary professionals, students and the general public will gather to
examine Black literary texts to both discuss the state of Black litera-
ture, and raise questions related to how and whether African-American
writers "write race," and the ways in which these authors embrace
differences in aesthetics, beliefs, politics, and religions; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when literary
and cultural organizations of such noble aims and accomplishments are

brought to our attention, they should be celebrated and recognized by
all the citizens of this great Empire State; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 13th National Black Writers Conference on March 31-April
3, 2016, and to pay tribute to this year's honorees; and be it further
RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Dr. Brenda M. Greene, Executive Director of the Center for
Black Literature and Director of the National Black Writers Conferences
at Medgar Evers College, CUNY, and the aforementioned honorees.