7th Annual Kulturally LITFest Symposium

7th Annual Kulturally LITFest Symposium Celebrates Black Women Authors, Scholars, and Poets at Southern Connecticut State University

NEW HAVEN, CT – September 23, 2026 – Kulturally LIT is proud to announce the 7th Annual Kulturally LITFest Symposium, taking place on Saturday, October 17, 2026, from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM. This year’s symposium will be hosted at Engleman Hall on the campus of Southern Connecticut State University, located at 501 Crescent Street, New Haven, CT.

Centering on the theme "And Still I Rise: The Effect of Black Women Throughout Time," the 2026 LITFest Symposium offers a profound exploration of the enduring impact, brilliance, and literary excellence of Black women across history. The event is completely free and open to the general public.

The symposium features an extraordinary lineup of leading women authors and scholars. Attendees will experience insightful conversations with:

• Dr. Ainissa Ramirez, award-winning scientist and author
• Jamila "Dr. J." Lyiscott, acclaimed scholar, author, and speaker
• Dr. H. Zahra Caldwell, researcher and professor of Afro-American studies
• Dr. Melanie R. Hill, distinguished author, scholar, and violinist

In addition to these scholarly discussions, LITFest will host a powerful "Women in Poetry" panel discussion. The panel brings together distinguished regional literary leaders, including former Connecticut Poet Laureate Antoinette Brim-Bell, Enfield Poet Laureate Nzima Hutchings, and New Haven Poet Laureate Yexandra Diaz.

The day’s programming will also highlight youth excellence in the literary arts. The crowd will enjoy a dynamic performance from The WORD Youth Poetry Slam Team, the reigning U.S. National Youth Slam Poetry Team Champions. In a highly anticipated moment, the official announcement of the 2027 New Haven Youth Poet Laureate will be made live during the event.

For more information, to secure tickets, or to learn about volunteer opportunities, please visit the official website at www.kulturallylit.org or contact the organization directly via email at read@kulturallylit.org.

About Kulturally LIT:

Grounded in the Seven Principles of Kwanzaa, Kulturally LIT's mission is to "Elevate the LITerary Works of the African Diaspora." By producing celebrations, conferences, festivals, workshops, and retreats, the organization seeks to merge these core principles into the global community, inspiring self-awareness and honoring rich cultural heritages.