State of Black Writers Symposium holds today, Tuesday, October 21, 2025 at Essex County College, Newark, New Jersey

The Africana Institute of the Essex County College in Newark, New Jersey, United States of America (USA) is celebrating its 25th Anniversary with the presentation of the 13th State of the Black Writers Symposium today, Tuesday, October 21, 2025, from 10am-2:30pm.

Holding on the 2nd floor of the Siegler Hall, A. Zachary Yamba Building, Essex County College, 303 University Ave, Newark, NJ 07102, the program will, among others, feature an array of distinguished scholars, educators, activists, Historians, writers, and authors, who will address the progress, challenges and prospects of Black writers and writing.

Among the key Speakers will be Dr. Emmanuel S. Cherilien, an Educator and Speaker, Dr. Janice Johnson-Dias, a Scholar, Activist and Author, Dr. Margaret Stevens, a Historian  and Author, Street Counsel, an Author, and Community Activist, and True Khepra, a Writer, Author and Life Coach. Other key speakers are  Tymiak Hawkins, an Educator and Speaker, Dr. Shamirah Ayesha Briddle-Charriez aka Nefertiti and Goddess Ifasade, a Human Services Advocate and Author, and Prof. Rebecca Williams.

The Symposium will have three strong sessions, starting with Session 1’s presentations by Dr. Johnson and Dr. Stevens between 10:00  AM and 11:20AM. Session 2 will follow from 11:30 AM to 12:50PM and will feature a Community Writers Panel to be facilitated by Khepra, while Session 3, which will start at 1:00 PM and end at 2:20 PM will be a Student Literary Panel, to be facilitated by Professor Rebecca Williams.

Books will be available for purchase by Source of Knowledge and featured authors.

Essentially an onsite event, those interested in participating in the program, who, for one reason or the other, are not able to be physically present, can also join via ZOOM at:

https://essex-edu.zoom.us/meeting/register/pvO-1gCMR0i1_F5WnR3rMw 

All are invited.