Celebrate 10 Editions of HBW's Black Literary Suite

Join us in celebrating the 10th Black Literary Suite exhibit researched and presented by students at the History of Black Writing (HBW). HBW is the longest-running recovery project focused on Black literature that foregrounds collaborative research, innovative scholarship, and educational programs for broad audiences. Founded in 1983, and a major force at KU since its arrival in 1998, HBW is committed to:

- understudied and emerging Black authors;
- book history and digital humanities;
- professional development and curriculum enhancement; and
- public literacy.

Since 2011, HBW’s annual Black Literary Suite (BLS) exhibit has aimed to educate a public audience on lesser-known figures in Black literature. This project also serves as an opportunity for members of the HBW student staff to learn and refine their research skills through the planning and execution of the exhibit and accompanying program. After the public exhibit, the BLS is archived in KU’s Digital Repository KU ScholarWorks for future reference and open access.

In 2022, HBW celebrates the 10th BLS exhibit with our newest edition “Black Beyond Borders: Afro-Latinx and Afro-Latino American Literature.” This year’s theme joins our previous nine editions:

• 2011: New York Edition
• 2012: Wikipedia Edition
• 2013: Histories of African American Short Stories - A Digital Humanities Exhibit
• 2015: Kansas Authors Edition
• 2016: Sports Figures with a Kansas Connection
• 2017: Mississippi Renaissance
• 2018: Reclaiming the Black Body - Women Writing Women
• 2019: Researching While Black
• 2020: Black Writing in Reel Time

HBW students are involved in every aspect of BLS, from the conception of the theme to the launch of the public program. They gain valuable professional skills through writing research briefs, creating bibliographies, and inviting guest speakers—whether they are virtual or in-person—as well as event planning and producing digital media components such as podcasts and interactive websites. To help us continue providing such learning opportunities, please contribute to HBW’s work led by its students.

Donations made through this fundraising effort will go to support the Amandla Excellence Endowed Fund. Named in honor of Marona Amandla Graham-Bailey, HBW Founding Director Dr. Maryemma Graham’s late daughter, and a graduate student at the time of her passing, the Amandla Excellence Fund supports all facets of student professional development.