As PEN America marked its centenary with the 2022 Literary Gala, distinguished writers and artists, global human rights advocates and humanitarians, and influential thinkers gathered on Monday night at the American Museum of Natural History to celebrate free expression and the power of the written word. Approximately 650 attendees seated under the iconic blue whale in the Milstein Family Hall of Ocean Life bore witness to riveting speeches denouncing censorship at home and abroad, and honoring those who have fought to uphold the freedom to write, read, and learn. Read our full recap and see photos and footage from the Gala ››
A special edition of Margaret Atwood’s The Handmaid’s Tale printed and bound with fireproof materials and was presented at our Gala. It is designed to protect this vital story and stand as a powerful symbol against censorship. The book is available for auction by Sotheby’s New York from May 23 to June 7, with all proceeds going to benefit PEN America’s work in support of free expression. Learn more about the Unburnable Book ››
Can the power of the written word meaningfully bring about change in a world threatened by cascading crises and catastrophic events? This was the heart of the question put before 80 novelists, playwrights, essayists, poets, and journalists from 30 countries who were convened by PEN America for an “Emergency World Congress of Writers” at the United Nations on Friday, May 13. Read our full recap of the congress ››
Tuesday 5/31 | 7pm CT
Booker T. Washington High School
1514 East Zion Street Tulsa, OK 74106
Magic City Books and PEN America Tulsa along with community partners The Black Wall Street Legacy Festival, The Black Wall Street Times, and Fulton Street Books and Coffee are proud to welcome Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and creator of The 1619 ProjectNikole Hannah-Jones for a free, in-person program at the Booker T. Washington High School, in Tulsa Oklahoma. This conversation will be moderated by Dr. Tiffany T. Crutcher, the founder of the Terence Crutcher Foundation, and the Demanding A Just Tulsa Coalition. The foundation’s primary focus is criminal justice and policing reform, providing scholarships to African-American students, community, youth development, and policy advocacy. Learn more and register here ››
Thursday 6/2 | 7pm CT
Austin Central Public Library
710 W. Cesar Chavez St., Austin, Texas
Join PEN America's Austin Chapter and The Library Foundation for a free speech-centered discussion. Moderated by Jennifer M. Wilks and featuring acclaimed author ZZ Packer and award-winning poet Danez Smith, both contributors to The 1619 Project, this conversation will reflect on the recent book bans and the power of literature to spur important cultural conversations. Our guests will read from their work, and engage in a moderated thirty-minute discussion. Learn more and register here ››
Saturday 6/4 | 6pm ET
Brooklyn Museum
200 Eastern Pkwy, Brooklyn, NY 11238
In collaboration with Brooklyn Museum’s First Saturdays series and PEN America, the NYC Literary Action Coalition will host a panel discussion dedicated to the life and work of June Jordan. Moderated by Alejandro Heredia, poets Anaïs Duplan, Marwa Helal, Kyle Carrero Lopez, and Crystal Valentine will honor the resounding legacy of the poet and activist through readings of Jordan’s work alongside original poems. Learn more and register here ››
Monday 6/13 | 8pm ET
Lincoln Center Atrium
61 W 62nd St, New York, NY 10023
Braided from the real-life source material of PEN America 2018 Writing For Justice Fellow Priscilla Ocen’s interviews, Mahogany L. Browne’s choreopoem Quilted Steel centers the pain, lives and dreams of formerly incarcerated women in the form of a short film featuring actresses Dominique Toney, Yazmin Monet Watkins and Jasmine Williams. Produced by Caits Meissner, director of Prison and Justice Writing at PEN America, this collaboration is a call to bear unflinching witness. The night will host a premiere of the film, followed by a panel moderated by PEN America Deputy Director Nicole Shawan Junior and featuring Vivian D. Nixon, Vanda Seward, and Heather Stokes. Learn more and register here ››
The WNET Group’s ALL ARTS and EXPLORING HATE along with UNORTHODOX and PEN America present: “Can I Laugh At That?” Four leading comedians—Judy Gold, Alex Edelman, Shappi Khorsandi, and Mike Yard—discuss how they do their jobs in today’s world. It’s a world where a failed joke can end up on social media, dissected by millions. Where the line between an acceptable joke and one that crosses the line is blurrier than ever. Where bad news does inspire good comedy… even if we’re laughing through our tears. Join us for an important—and funny—conversation. Learn more and register here ››
The PEN Ten with Meron Hadero: “Frustration is part of the process, and perhaps it’s best not to try to overcome it or fight it as if it doesn’t belong. It might be better to just make room for it and accept it as a natural element in writing.”
Talk Easy with Sam Fragoso is a weekly podcast series of intimate conversations with writers, activistis, and musicians. This week, Sam spoke with Former PEN America President and Pulitzer-prize winning author Jennifer Egan about the structural pulse of her new novel, The Candy House, why she’s drawn to nonlinear storytelling, and what the book reveals about authenticity in the digital age. Listen to Talk Easy now ››
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