7th Annual Benjamin A. Quarles Conference

Call for Papers: 7th Annual Benjamin A. Quarles Conference

Theme: "My Dungeon Shook":  A Century of James Baldwin

Date: October 24-26, 2024

Venue: Morgan State University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA

Submission Deadline: July 15, 2024

Link to more inforamtion:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Mtf5Vmj1s_Ab7VSk3qfsujWsW1WbRu9HAfXJCUUIe6w/edit#heading=h.3bp1ypj3q004

In honor of the centennial of James Baldwin's birth, the Department of English, The James H. Gilliam, Jr. College of Liberal Arts, and Benjamin Quarles Institute at Morgan State University, cordially invite scholars and researchers to submit paper, panel, roundtable, and poster proposals for the 7th Annual Benjamin A. Quarles Conference. The Institute's mission is to raise awareness and appreciation of the peoples and cultures of the African Diaspora, exploring their intersections with the global community while exposing underrepresented and underserved students to the interdisciplinary nature of the humanities. The conference spans various fields, including Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies, Environmental Studies, International Studies (African, Latin America, and Caribbean), Ethnomusicology, Philosophy, and the Fine Arts. James Baldwin embodies the Institute's commitment to enhancing the humanities.

James Baldwin, celebrated as a novelist, essayist, and activist, left an indelible mark on the literary historical, and social landscape throughout his prolific career. On August 2, 2024, we will celebrate the centennial of his birth. His enduring cultural significance resonates powerfully in contemporary times. The conference will spotlight his versatility in terms of style, genre, and socio-political concerns, emphasizing the importance of Baldwin’s life, work, and literary relations. A pivotal focus will be on examinations of his writings, providing profound insights into his life and experiences. Baldwin's global explorations, from the United States to France and Turkey, profoundly influenced his literary works.

Beyond his literary pursuits, he emerged as an activist for the LGBTQIA+ and Black communities, contributing his voice as an openly gay figure and to the realm of Black radical resistance during the US Civil Rights era. Today, his writings remain a spirited force in addressing the concerns of LGBTQIA+ individuals, Black men, and the sociopolitical struggles of Blacks worldwide.

The theme of the conference is associated with African Americans and the Arts as established by The Association for the Study of African American Life and History.  Specifically, “African American art is infused with African, Caribbean, and the Black American lived experiences. In the fields of visual and performing arts, literature, fashion, folklore, language, film, music, architecture, culinary and other forms of cultural expression the African American influence has been paramount. African American artists have used art to preserve history and community memory as well as for empowerment.”   We are particularly interested in James Baldwin’s contribution to African Americans and the Arts.  

This conference will serve as a meeting ground for all those interested in Baldwin’s works and activism, ranging from literary and cultural critics to scholars of gender and queer theory, activists, poets, sociologists, psychologists, historians, political studies experts, and creative thinkers. We invite a broad spectrum of academic discussions that engage with Baldwin's work.

Possible Topics (not limited to):

• Baldwin and Friends
• Baldwin and Activism
• Baldwin and Global Trotting
• Baldwin’s Global Influences
• Baldwin in a Post-Racial Imaginary
• Baldwin and Children’s Literature
• Baldwin’s Novels
• Baldwin’s Essays
• Baldwin’s Non-fictions
• Baldwin and LGBTQIA+
• Baldwin and the US Civil Rights Movement
• Baldwin and Other Art Forms
• Baldwin and Realism
• Baldwin and Christianity/Religion
• Theorizing Baldwin
• Critiques on Baldwin

Proposal Requirements:

1. A brief abstract not exceeding 500 words
2. A biography 250 – 300 words in length
3. Submit abstracts to MorganConferences@gmail.com or call 443.885.3165 for more information.

 Free Registration!

Join us in celebrating the profound legacy of James Baldwin and exploring the timeless relevance of his work. We look forward to your submissions and an enriching conference at Morgan State University from October 24-26, 2024.