‟Books transmit values. They explore our common humanity. What is the message when some children are not represented in those books?”
—WALTER DEAN MYERS

Where Are the People of Color in Children's Books?
New York Times, March 15, 2014

#KWELI25
PROGRAM SCHEDULE

REGISTER NOW

Friday, April 4, 2025

1:00pm - 4:00pm

A. Novel
Perfect Pitch: Discovering the Tools to Make your Novel Sing with DONNA BARBA HIGUERA, author of The Last Cuentista and Alebrijes

The best novels for young readers tackle complex themes and authentically mirror the interior life of young readers. These stories can be life-changing! In this masterclass, Newbery Medal, Pura Belpré Award Winner, and New York Times bestselling author Donna Barba Higuera, guides writers through the process of developing an idea for your novel into a workable outline and the craft techniques needed to execute that plan including discovering your middle grade or young adult voice. We will transform your story, pulling out the magic and heart that will set yours apart from other stories. Barba Higuera's novel The Last Cuentista won the Newbery Medal and Pura Belpré Medal in 2022.

B. Graphic Novel
Full-Color Comics! : Creating Diverse Graphic Novels for Kids with JOHN JENNINGS, illustrator of Parable of the Talents: A Graphic Novel Adaptation by Octavia Butler

Graphic Novels are a wonderful medium for telling diverse stories. They are also a valuable resource for getting across multiple modes of literacy. When children see themselves as protagonists, they learn to value themselves more and it builds confidence in their own abilities. This workshop will focus on the ways graphic novels are an amazing tool for your story but also how this wondrous medium can empower marginalized youth.

C. Nonfiction
Writing Nonfiction for Children Through a Social Justice Lens with TRACI N. TODD, author of Make A Pretty Sound: A Story of Ella Jenkins and Nina: A Story of Nina Simone

Stories about real people, places, and events are powerful ways to tell children about the world around them and their place in it. How do we tell these stories in a way what will inspire children to be change makers? How do we write against power? Where can we look for inspiration? This class will explore these questions and many more!

See Masterclass Faculty bios here!

6:30pm - 8:30pm

Show Out, A Special Multimedia Event with ALEXANDER SMALLS

Alexander Smalls is a world-renowned opera singer, the winner of both a Grammy Award and a Tony Award for the cast recording of Porgy and Bess and an iconic figure in American cooking. WHEN ALEXANDER GRACED THE TABLE, based on Alexander’s childhood, is his first picture book.

Join us at Akwaaba Mansion in Brooklyn for a special multimedia celebration of Alexander Smalls and his latest work of art. RSVP is required.

Saturday, April 5, 2025

8:15am - 8:25am
WELCOME by Laura Pegram

8:30am - 9:00am
KEYNOTE by Ariel Vanece

9:15am - 10:15am

A. Publishing, Community, & Culture Track
Afrofuturism
“For me, my Afrofurist practice is inextricable from thinking about the past,” said Eve Ewing. “I only know how to talk about a future through the valence of talking about history. Therefore a lot of my work is trying to poke a stick at the boundaries between the past, the present, and the future.” During this breakout session, we’ll poke a stick at the boundaries and discuss Jennings’s timely adaptation of PARABLE OF THE TALENTS by Octavia Butler.
Featuring: John Jennings; moderated by Brittany N. Williams

B. Novels / Memoir Track (YA & MG)
ON CRAFT (Intermediate Level)
Pages to Stages: Adaptation & Transformation
Olugbemisola Rhuday-Perkovich and Kelly Starling Lyons will lead a craft talk on their experiences of creating for the stage -- their motivations, how they think through form, structure, and theatricality, their playwriting processes and how writing for the stage differs from their other work, and how to connect and work with theatre organizations. They'll share examples from current projects and works in progress, and a dramatic writing exercise to apply to your own work.
Featuring: Olugbemisola Rhuday-Perkovich & Kelly Starling Lyons

C. Illustrated Books/Nonfiction Track
ON CRAFT (PB Intermediate Level)
Music Biography
Aida Salazar will discuss the craft of writing and researching a musical biography with Traci N. Todd (author of MAKE A PRETTY SOUND: A STORY OF ELLA JENKINS, THE FIRST LADY OF CHILDREN’S MUSIC) and Rhonda Roumani (author of UMM KULTHUM: THE STAR OF THE EAST) .
Featuring: Traci N. Todd & Rhonda Roumani; moderated by Aida Salazar

10:30am - 11:30am

A. Publishing, Community, & Culture Track
Collaborations | Editor & Debut Author
In this breakout session, the audience will look behind the editorial process. Aida Salazar, the editor of SING ME A STORY, SHORT STORIES IN VERSE BY LATINE AUTHORS, will speak to contributor J.P. Infante about being “a third eye” for his story on the power of merengue for a 12 year old Dominican boy and his family. See how it went from an “early draft that was a little too raw” to a work of art.
Featuring: Aida Salazar & J.P. Infante

B. Novels / Memoir Track (YA & MG)
Collaborations | Poet & Mid Career Author
Hanif Abdurraqib recently said that a ‘book often comes to life because of the close attention and care of many people.’ Omar Holmon (Black Nerd Problems) gave the first pages of Brittany N. Williams his close attention and care. See how their writing relationship specifically helped open the door to a glorious historical fantasy trilogy, from lengthy conversations to craft notes!
Featuring: Brittany N. Williams & Omar Holmon

C. Illustrated Books/Nonfiction Track
Collaborations | Notes From an Art Director
Jasmin Rubero will take the audience on a look inside the picture book process, from what she is thinking about when looking for an illustrator and top line notes on contract (advances + royalties), to the steps of the book making process and how each of those steps are opportunities to dig deeper into the visual story line.
Featuring: Jasmin Rubero

11:30am - 12:30pm

Lunch

12:45pm - 1:45pm

A. Publishing, Community, & Culture Track
ON CRAFT
Fully Realized Characters + Conflicts

Featuring: Donna Barba Higuera; moderated by Irene Vazquez

B. Novels / Memoir Track (YA & MG) BEGINS at 12:30pm
ON CRAFT
Wrap Your Mind Around Revision Workshop
As an editor at a trade publisher for nearly twenty years, I’ve seen a lot when it comes to revision, from minimal shifts in a manuscript to years-long edits to complete rewrites. Revision can feel overwhelming and daunting, so in this ninety-minute interactive session, I’ll share thoughts and examples about revision from an editorial perspective, which includes everything from the logistics of an editorial schedule – you need to have what returned by when?! -- to practical ways to rethink your approach to what may seem like an insurmountable task, as well as effective communication strategies when you and your editor or critique partner disagree. Please bring your thoughts, questions, experiences, and insights, as well!
Featuring: Rūta Rimas

C. Illustrated Books/Nonfiction Track
ON CRAFT
The Narrative Arc in Picture Books
Using a few noteworthy titles as a springboard, award-winning creatives Cozbi A. Cabrera and Andrea L. Rogers will lead a discussion on the narrative arc in picture books. Illustrated texts for this session include, but are not limited to, CHOOCH HELPED, ME & MAMA, WATERCRESS and KAMAU & ZUZU FIND A WAY.
Featuring: Andrea L. Rogers in conversation with Cozbi A. Cabrera

2:00pm - 3:00pm

A. Publishing, Community, & Culture Track
Balancing Acts: When Life Be Lifing
How do you find time for your art and activism while caring for twins, writing a dissertation, dealing with a scary diagnosis and a world on fire?
Featuring: Mariahdessa Ekere Tallie and Alyssa Reynoso-Morris; moderated by Sheetal Sheth

B. Novels / Memoir Track (YA & MG)
ON CRAFT
Sealed With a Kiss | YA Romance
Enemies-to-lovers queer romance. Fake dates. A main character’s impossible choice between two (or more!) love interests. The complications abound in YA romance. Come get tangled up in the sheets as we talk craft and more.
Featuring: Zakiya N. Jamal in conversation with Brittany N. Williams

C. Illustrated Books/Nonfiction Track
ON CRAFT
Page Turns in Picture Books
Cozbi A. Cabrera will moderate a discussion on page turns in illustrated books by spotlighting new and forthcoming books which honor nature, including but not limited to WHEN WATER FLOWS by Aida Salazar, DANCING WITH WATER by Gwendolyn Wallace and HOW TO MEASURE THE OCEAN by Inda Ahmad Zahri.
Featuring: Aida Salazar, Gwendolyn Wallace, and Inda Ahmad Zahri; moderated by Cozbi A. Cabrera

3:15pm - 4:15pm

A. Publishing, Community, & Culture Track
Adapting Books for Middle Grade and Young Adult Readers
Young Readers Editions (YRE’s) is a genre that has become increasingly popular. Adaptations of adult books provide younger readers opportunities to engage complex ideas and issues they might not otherwise have access to. We’ll distinguish YRE’s from their original publications and explore key elements adapters use that capture the hearts and minds of young readers.
Featuring: Dr. Sonja Cherry-Paul

B. Novels / Memoir Track (YA & MG)
ON CRAFT
MG Graphic Novel Memoir
”Weirdo is a triumphant, witty and comedic story for any kid who’s ever felt awkward, left out, or like they don’t belong.” Tony Weaver, Jr. will talk to Daniel José Older at length about the process of creating Weirdo, a graphic novel memoir, from the storyboards to final ink.
Featuring: Tony Weaver, Jr.; moderated by Daniel José Older

C. Illustrated Books/Nonfiction Track
Work For Hire
Work-for-hire projects can often open the door to a publishing career. Three debut authors will discuss the ins and outs, from the publisher who pays a flat fee to the author and essentially owns the book, to royalty or bonus clauses added to a contract if a book sold over a certain number of copies, AND MORE.
Featuring: Emily Sun Li, Andrea Underwood Petifer & Stacy Wells; moderated by Jaha Nailah Avery

4:30pm - 5:30pm

KEYNOTE with Erin Entrada Kelly

5:30pm

Closing Announcements

Sunday, April 6, 2025

1:00pm - 2:00pm

A. Publishing, Community, & Culture Track
Workshop| Process in Picture Book Illustration
London Ladd is an illustrator of nearly 20 books. In this workshop, he will share his process, from the research he undertakes on character and place, to first sketches and finished art.
Featuring: London Ladd

B. Craft Track Track (YA & MG)
Workshop| Crisis Creates Us: Fire at the Crossroads of Art and Activism
The poet Martín Espada wrote that every rebellion begins with the idea that conquerors on horseback will drown if plunged in a river. As artists, writers, and organizers, our work is in the realm of the imagination. This workshop uses a framework of narrative fundamentals to explore the crisis at the heart of both story and movement work. How does crisis create us and how do we create crisis? How do we bring it all together to create a compelling narrative, both in the pages and the streets?
Featuring: Daniel José Older

C. Illustrated Books/Nonfiction Track
ON CRAFT
Writing Emotion in Picture Books
Jessica Esheverria will moderate a discussion on the emotional landscape of picture books with three dynamic creatives who don’t shy away from tough topics.
Featuring: Winsome Bingham, Maham Khwaja, & Stacy Wells; moderated by Jessica Echeverria

2:05pm - 3:05pm

A. Publishing, Community, & Culture Track
Collaborations | Editor, Midlist Author and Illustrator
The team behind When We hear Spirituals will invite the audience behind the scenes in the editing process, both word and art.
Featuring: Grace Maccarone, Cheryl Willis Hudson & London Ladd

B. Craft Track Track (YA & MG)
Community & Heritage
This writers' panel delves into the challenges in preserving intergenerational stories, cultural identities, and the messiness while adapting to new lives - as immigrants, refugees, or communities in transition. We will discuss the role of children's books and how they can capture nuanced experiences and serve as tools of healing and empowerment.
Featuring: Simran Jeet Singh & Veera Hiranandani; moderated by Upasna Kakroo

C. Illustrated Books/Nonfiction Track
Collaborations | Agent & Debut Authors
Authors Safa Suleiman and Ariel Vanece will join their agent, Ana Crespo, on a discussion about their author-agent relationships, from the time they first connected to today. Ana will touch on what attracted her to Safa's and Ariel's works and some of her process on deciding whether to offer representation to a potential client. Safa and Ariel will speak of their own process to decide to accept representation and how it's going so far.
Featuring: Ana Crespo, Ariel Vanece & Safa Suleiman

3:15pm - 3:45pm

KEYNOTE with Arlène Elizabeth Casimir | Introduced by Dr. Sonja Cherry-Paul

3:55pm - 4:55pm

All About Black Girl Love
This discussion delves into the multiple and diverse literacies that shape the experiences of girls of Color, drawing on the insights from All About Black Girl Love in Education: bell hooks and Pedagogies of Love. Participants will explore key topics such as creating spaces for Black girl literacies, understanding Black girls’ unique language and literacy practices, and celebrating the richness of Black girlhood. Through critical discussions and reflective exercises, educators and mentors will gain tools to recognize, support, and amplify the voices and literacies of Black girls in educational spaces, ensuring they are seen, heard, and valued.
Featuring: Drs. Yolanda Sealey-Ruiz, Sonja Cherry-Paul & Imani Paul

5:00pm - 6:00pm

Dance Interpretation of Big by Vashti Harrison
CLOSING KEYNOTE with Vashti Harrison in conversation with Traci N. Todd | Introduced by Laura Pegram