OUR STORY

November 1st-3rd, 2024 | Durham, NC
Theme: Home & Heritage

Welcome to the home of the Griot & Grey Owl Black Southern Writers Conference, a powerful gathering of Black Southern voices that took place in the heart of Durham, North Carolina, from November 1st to 3rd, 2024. This gathering celebrated and explored the rich narratives of home, land, and heritage.

About the Conference

The Griot & Grey Owl Black Southern Writers Conference brought together a diverse range of Black writers, poets, scholars, and cultural influencers to honor stories deeply rooted in Southern soil. This year’s theme, Home & Heritage, examined the complexities of place, identity, and history through the lens of literature, spoken word, and artistic expression.

Attendees enjoyed a weekend filled with insightful workshops, keynote speeches, live performances, book talks, and community conversations. The conference provided a unique space for writers, artists, scholars, and supporters of the arts to engage with themes of cultural resilience, memory, and Black Southern foodways.

Keynote Speakers & Featured Artists

The conference hosted some of the most celebrated voices in Black Southern literature and art, including:

• Michael Twitty: Award-winning author and culinary historian exploring the intersections of food, history, and culture.
• Prentis Hemphill: Writer, somatics teacher, and therapist focused on healing and social justice.
• Alexis Pauline Gumbs: Poet, scholar, and author known for Black feminist thought and environmental justice.
• Tiana Clark: Award-winning poet exploring race, identity, and place.
• Justin Reynolds: Acclaimed YA author, bringing fresh perspectives on Black youth and their futures.
• Airea D. Mathews: Poet and essayist revealing deep emotional landscapes.
• Tyree Daye: Poet rooted in Southern tradition, exploring Black rural life, family, and memory.

With additional contributions from Jamilia Mannicks, Phillip B. Williams, Ladee Hubbard, Alicia D. Williams, Khalia Moreau, Roscoe Burnems, and more.

The Theme: Home & Heritage

This year’s theme, Home & Heritage, highlighted the profound connections between land, history, and identity in the Black Southern experience. Through workshops, readings, and discussions, participants explored how stories of home, migration, displacement, and reclamation shape our sense of self and community. Agricultural metaphors, foodways, and the Southern landscape were woven into the narrative fabric of Black literature, providing reflections on both challenges and resilience.

Conference Highlights

• Workshops: Participants engaged in interactive writing workshops led by renowned authors and poets.
• Panels & Discussions: Thought-provoking panels explored the intersections of literature, culture, and social justice.
• Live Performances: Attendees enjoyed powerful spoken word performances and a poetry slam by some of the best Black Southern artists.
• Book Signings: Attendees met their favorite authors and got signed copies of their latest works.
• Community Conversations: Community-driven discussions addressed the future of Black Southern literature and art.

Get Involved

Though the 2024 conference has passed, you can still be part of this dynamic cultural experience! Follow us on social media to stay connected and get updates on future conferences, ways to volunteer, and other opportunities to engage with our community.

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Stay connected with us on social media for future updates on speakers, events, and ways to get involved.

#GriotGreyOwl #HomeAndHeritage #BlackSouthernWriters

The Triangle’s First Writing Conference Dedicated to Bringing Together Black Writers

WE WRITE ALONE, BUT WE GROW TOGETHER.

The pandemic disjointed many writing communities, and after polling over 1,000 Black Southern writers, we learned that 90% felt they lacked a true community and that writing had become a solo, isolated practice.

We believe that writing and creation thrive in community, not in isolation. Over 200 Black writers came together in downtown Durham to grow artistically and immerse themselves in the rich heritage of the Bull City through cultural tours, workshops, panel discussions, and performances. Our hope is that the connections formed at this conference will last a lifetime.

OUR MISSION:

Our conference seeks to create unity among writers throughout the South by fostering spaces for connection, skill-sharing, and breaking barriers to access and opportunity. Together, we aim to build a supportive, lasting community for Southern Black writers.