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CBW History

The Celebration of Black Writing is one of the nation’s longest-running commemorations of contemporary black writing. Robin’s Books’ black history month writing conference, begun in 1984, has grown to today’s full-fledged festival held the first week of June on Temple’s campus and across the city. Art Sanctuary’s Celebration is a national standout that enriches our region—and creates new readers and writers. Here’s how:

CBW School Matinees bring great authors into schools, so that inner city and suburban students can meet their favorite writers, up close and personal.

In a cross between the Tony Awards and the biggest Black family reunion ever, the Lifetime Achievement Award ceremony honors literary genius. Recipients have included: Chinua Achebe, Terry McMillan, Charles Fuller, Walter Mosley, Sonia Sanchez, and Nikki Giovanni.

The Saturday festival means family! We partner with Temple University to bring you: Lively panel discussions featuring leading poets, authors, filmmakers, bloggers, journalists, memoirists and cultural critics; hands-on writing workshops; a PA State-accredited symposium for educators; sports and writing; the Family Pavilion with activities for kids; and our mainstage mega-panel and performances!

For more information about participating, please contact us at events@artsanctuary.org or 215-232-4485.

To become a vendor, email us at vendors@artsanctuary.org

To volunteer, download an application here or, visit this page and fill out the form, or email us at volunteers@artsanctuary.org.