LANGSTON HUGHES STAGE
JUNE 14, 2025
AUTHOR TALKS
LIVE MUSIC
COMIC CREATORS
COSPLAY
AND MORE
FOR ALL AGES
135th Street & Malcolm X Boulevard, Harlem NYC
Join us for a celebration of the African Diaspora through the power of literature, literacy, and community!
The Harlem Renaissance was part of our historic engagement with authors of African descent and a century championing literacy and intellectual exploration in Harlem. We continue that tradition by convening communities of book lovers to interact with their favorite authors and comic book creators on 135th Street between Malcolm X and Adam Clayton Powell Boulevards in Harlem, New York. The festival will feature readings, panel discussions, workshops, photo activations, bookish marketplace, mobile library, and more. We will close the day with musical performances and an old-school block party!
Leadership support for the Schomburg Center's Centennial is provided by the Stavros Niarchos Foundation (SNF) and Andreas C. Dracopoulos. Additional support is provided by Carnegie Corporation of New York and the Ford Foundation. The 2025 Schomburg Center Centennial Festival is powered by Puma.
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FESTIVAL PROGRAM
Join us on Saturday, June 14th for an opportunity to meet the distinguished storytellers, industry disruptors, and illustrators who bring to life the books and comics we love.
We kick off the day with a keynote conversation with activist Raquel Willis, author of The Risk It Takes to Bloom: On Life and Liberation. We continue with moderated book talks and workshops featuring Imani Perry, David Crownson, Damon Young, Ibi Zoboi, Alejandro Heredia, Katie Mitchell, Kiese Laymon, Tricia Hersey, Glory Edim, The Moth, and more.
Schedule subject to change.
OPENING PROGRAM
KEYNOTE CONVERSATION
Featuring Raquel Willis, The Risk It Takes to Bloom: On Life and Liberation
Moderator: Mecca Jamilah Sullivan, PhD
Kicking things off with a mini-parade featuring Brooklyn United, followed by a special tribute to beloved poet Nikki Giovanni.
THE BLOCK PARTY
D-Nice, Slick Rick and The Soapbox Presents: Stoop Sessions, blending the best of classic hip-hop and R&B on our newly added Octavia E. Butler Stage!
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KIDS
CLUBHOUSE
This year, we’re thrilled to welcome the return of the Woke Baby Festival and introduce Jump Up Jamboree. The day will Inspire young readers with storytelling, live music, yoga, crafts, hand games, Double Dutch, book signings, and more
PRE FEST
Iyanu: Screening & Fireside Chat with Creator Roye Okupe
THUR JUNE 12 | 4PM
Join us for a special pre-festival event with a screening of Iyanu, the animated series inspired by West African mythology. Iyanu follows a young orphan who discovers her magical powers and a destiny to save her world—rooted in the rich traditions of Yoruba culture.
Following the screening, stay for a fireside chat with the creator, Roye Okupe
Presented in collaboration with Lion Forge Entertainment
BAM!
A fan favorite from our Black Comic Book Festival, the Very Black Cosplay Showcase brings characters to life! Join the fun on the outdoor 135th Street stage or enjoy the show from the crowd.
MARKETPLACE
Black Future Newstand / Black Thought Project / Lit Fest 2023. Photo by Bill Farrington
READ & REFERSH LOUNGE
Presented in part by HarperCollins
Stop by our Lounge for giveaways from our amazing partners! A few lucky visitors will also receive a copy of The Best Man: Unfinished Business in anticipation of our special book talk, signing, and reception on July 1 at 6:00 PM.
The beloved characters from The Best Man movies and hit television series reunite for a sexy and soulful, heartbreaking and hilarious reckoning of love.
Discover fascinating and exciting finds at the Festival Marketplace! Books, Comics, Give-Aways, Fun Activations and more!
Bearded Man Comics
Black Gotham Experience LLC
Black Woman Be Whole
Bronx Bookmobile
The Bubblegum Adventure
Bulletproof Comics and Games
CJ McWillis (TezraTandem)
Columbia University Press
Countee Cullen Library
Creativelee Catered LLC
Dream Fury Comics
EarthTone Kingdom
East Coast Black Age of Comics Convention, Inc. (ECBACC)
Emmanuel Knight Manga
FairSquare Graphics
Fine Roots
For the Strength of Harlem: Plĕas Tusant Pearson
From the Arxhive
GENERATE COMIX
Gigi Murakami
Global Girls Squad
Gray's Area Grille
Hadez Food Truck
Harlem Writers Guild, Inc.
Hip Hop Comix n Flix
Ariance Jewelry
Hiztory Bookz
Jocelyn Short
Junebug Ink
LionSky Publishing
N. Steven Harris
Northern Wind Comics
Otaku Dream Crafts
Otaku Noir Collection
PenWay Production Group, LLC
Pyroglyphics Studio
A Reason to Smile Books
Revolution Books
Sable Kudzu Entertainment LLC
Salaam on Wheels Ice Cream
Simon & Schuster
Sistah Scifi
Studio Store at Studio Museum in Harlem
Sunflower Workshop
Timmons Therapy Solutions
Total Equity Now
Unravelingarts
Urban Style Comics
Walk Tall Girl Productions
West Village Comics
Y. Sanders Art
Young Authors Program
Credit Bob Gore
Character Art by Blossom Blair
Calling All BLERDS!
Swing by Comic Book Row and grab all your favorite comics, anime, and sci-fi reads.
OUR PARTNERS
Leadership support for the Schomburg Center's Centennial is provided by the
Stavros Niarchos Foundation (SNF) and Andreas C. Dracopoulos
Additional support is provided by
Carnegie Corporation of New York and the Ford Foundation
The 2025 Schomburg Center Centennial Festival is powered by Puma
