Black Literature Matters! In this panel conversation on the topic of “Black Literature Matters,” four writers — Michael Hurd, Varian Johnson, Doyin Oyeniyi, and Jennifer M. Wilks — will discuss why it’s important for readers to seek out diverse books; what can be done to support writers of color (published and just starting out); the ways that writers, publishers, and literary organizations can support diversity in our literature, our programs, and our communities; and the crucial role that black literature plays in shaping the important conversation on race in our country today.

For this August 18 Third Thursday program, the Writers’ League is excited to partner with literary organizations and entities across Austin (including ACC’s Creative Writing Department, Austin Bat Cave, Austin Public Library Friends Foundation, Austin SCBWI, Free Minds, Huston Tillotson University, Kirkus Reviews, the John L. Warfield Center for African and African American Studies, and the Texas Book Festival) to bring this panel discussion to as a wide an audience as possible and to give away books to those in attendance.