2026 Kweli Color of Children’s Literature Conference
Frequently Asked Questions

1. Is #Kweli26 IN PERSON ONLY this year?

#Kweli26 will be a multi-week event. The opening weekend of the conference will be IN-PERSON at New York Law School (NYLS). We will also have special IN-PERSON events at Akwaaba in June. For those who are unable to join us in-person, we will be offering virtual masterclasses, workshops and hybrid events! Check our upcoming events page for more.

2. How do I get to New York Law School (NYLS)?

New York Law School (NYLS) is located at the address below.

185 West Broadway
New York, NY 10013.

It is a few blocks away from all the major subway and bus lines.

3. What is the registration fee for #Kweli26?

A limited number of partial scholarships are available on a demonstrated need basis. Please read on for more details.

4. How do I register?

This year, we are using Constant Contact for registration. You will be able to purchase the Conference Weekend ticket and add-ons including a master class and/or a manuscript critique (in-person or remote). Slots fill up quickly.

5. What if I want to purchase just a manuscript critique or masterclass?

You have to purchase a conference weekend ticket in order to be able to purchase a manuscript critique and/or masterclass.

6. Can I sign up for every masterclass?

We are offering a number of master classes this year. You can register for more than one master class.

7. The masterclass I want to attend is full. Can I still get in?

We only have a certain number of seats for each class, so if each seat is filled or the deadline has passed, we cannot accommodate you.

8. What if I make a mistake on my registration form?

Please read CAREFULLY through all questions to ensure you are choosing and filling in what you intend to. Once you submit your registration, you can no longer make changes yourself.

However, if you do make a mistake, contact Chantel Kelly at events@kwelijournal.org as soon as possible.

9. What if I want to cancel my registration?

Since we have to reserve space and food in advance, we cannot offer full refunds for late cancellations. Thank you for understanding.

If you cancel BEFORE March 27th, you will be charged a $50 administrative fee.

If you cancel AFTER March 27th, we cannot issue a refund.

Note, refunds may NOT be issued immediately. Please wait until ONE week after the conference before reaching out.

10. Will recordings of the events be available to attendees later?

We will NOT be recording in-person sessions for #Kweli26.

However, if you subscribe to our newsletter, we will be sharing highlights from various sessions after the conference.

11. Are scholarships available for the conference?

YES, Kweli has a very limited number of partial scholarships exclusively for first-time, unpublished, and un-agented writers of color who exhibit a financial need. If you are in need of a scholarship, you must complete an application form and submit a statement of financial need, a short essay explaining your interest in attending the conference, and a writing/illustration sample.

The scholarship application portal closes on March 29th. THE DEADLINE IS SUNDAY, MARCH 29TH, 12:00PM EST. Please note that travel expenses and lodging are not covered by the scholarship.

12. When will I find out about my scholarship decision?

We assess scholarship applications on a rolling basis. We get many applications every year, so the earlier you apply, the sooner we will be able to provide a decision.

13. The registration window has passed, can I still register?

Registration closes at 11:59pm EST on WEDNESDAY, April 8th. We cannot accept registrations past the deadline.

Still have more questions? Contact our intern at events@kwelijournal.org