Friends, Family, & Students gather to celebrate John Oliver Killens.
After much hard work, planning, strategizing, and reaching out to the network on behalf of the Center for Black Literature, the Harlem Writers Guild, and the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture our John Oliver Killens at 100 event came off with nary a hitch!
Taking over the Founders Auditorium at Medgar Evers College in Brooklyn on March 17, distinguished former students, family, and friends took the stage to praise their mentor and beloved friend.
Taking over the Founders Auditorium at Medgar Evers College in Brooklyn on March 17, distinguished former students, family, and friends took the stage to praise their mentor and beloved friend.
After introductions and opening remarks by Dr. Brenda M. Greene, Executive Director of CBL and our own Executive Director Diane Richards, actor, writer, and all around bon vivant, Eric Coleman presented the likes of Bernice McFadden, Malaika Adero, Woodie King, Jr., and others who helmed panels with themes such as “Friends’ Reflections” and “The Oeuvre of John Oliver Killens”.
The audience laughed and signified along with Tony Medina, Cynthia Kitt, and Mariahadessa Ekere Tallie as they performed dramatic readings from Killens’ powerful, important works.
The audience laughed and signified along with Tony Medina, Cynthia Kitt, and Mariahadessa Ekere Tallie as they performed dramatic readings from Killens’ powerful, important works.
 Louise Meriwether, Diane Richards & K.C. Washington |  Cynthia Kitt & her lovely daughter |
 | African drummers kicked things off and then after a rousing evening of African American letters, we made new connections and hopefully new friends and colleagues over refreshments. The Guild was pleased and honored to cohost John Oliver Killens at 100 and look forward to working and growing with our partners the Center for Black Literature and the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture into the future. |
