06/24/2026
Last weekend, Dr. Roxane Gay, the Gloria Steinem Chair in Media, Culture and Feminist Studies at Rutgers University, hosted “Belonging: A Black Writers' Convening.”
This powerful gathering brought together writers across genres and career stages for thoughtful, curated conversations on entering, navigating, and finding success in the publishing industry. Throughout the day, attendees connected with one another, engaging in mentorship and community.
The program featured five candid panels with industry experts, as well as drop-in AMA sessions with published authors.
Speakers included:
📚Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah
📚Rachel Cargle
📚Brittney Cooper
📚Roxane Gay
📚Jasmine Guillory
📚Morgan Jerkins
📚Kiese Laymon
📚Tanya McKinnon
📚Savala Nolan
📚Denne Michele Norris
📚Adenike Olanrewaju
📚Deesha Philyaw
📚Maurice Carlos Ruffin
📚Rion Amilcar Scott
📚Jacqueline Woodson
Special thanks to the incredible ASL interpreters from Karasch and to Word Book Stores for making each speaker’s books available to attendees.
This event is produced by The Rumpus, the RAGE Lab, and the Gloria Steinem Chair at Rutgers, an innovative collaboration among the Institute for Women’s Leadership, Rutgers University School of Communication and Information, and the Department of Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies, Rutgers University at Rutgers School of Arts and Sciences.