NYBALF 2026: A Celebration of Literature and Cultural Responsibility

The New York Black and African Literature Festival (NYBALF) is set to unfold in Harlem from September 18–20, 2026, continuing its mission to unite voices from Africa, the Caribbean, Latin America, and the broader Black diasporas. Founded by Nigerian poet Efe Paul-Azino, who initiated the Lagos International Poetry Festival in 2015, NYBALF aims to foster connections through panels, readings, workshops, and a vibrant book fair. This year's lineup features prominent figures like Namwali Serpell, Mahmood Mamdani, and Conceição Evaristo.

In a conversation with PW, Paul-Azino detailed the significance of establishing a festival in a time when democratic ideals face challenges and underscored literature's potential as a necessary tool for engagement and attention.

Harlem's Unique Cultural Significance

You founded the Lagos International Poetry Festival before bringing this vision to New York City. What made Harlem the right home for NYBALF?

Harlem's rich cultural history, marked by the Harlem Renaissance and the Black Arts Movement, serves as a potent symbol for Black cultural production as a political act. It's more than a nostalgic choice; it's an assertion that this crucial work must continue. With a high concentration of African and Caribbean immigrants alongside local Black communities, Harlem offers an ideal backdrop for bringing together diverse voices and fostering meaningful dialogue.

Thematic Evolution: From Solidarity to Responsibility

Last year's theme was "Radical Solidarities." This year it's "The Village in the Book: Literature and the Near." What do you believe has shifted between year one and year two?

The inaugural festival echoed the necessity for political solidarity among global Black communities, aiming to connect a Zimbabwean novelist, a Harlem poet, and a Jamaican publisher in shared discourse. This year's programming seeks a deeper connection with local contexts, emphasizing what literature owes to its immediate community. The goal is to stimulate conversations about accountability, representation, and the local frameworks that shape literary works.

Addressing Misinformation Through Literature

How are you balancing urgency with the long work of cultural solidarity in an era of misinformation and disinformation?

In polarized times where truth can feel elusive, literature emerges as a crucial medium for maintaining focus. It prompts reflection on what we choose to observe and how. The festival presents literature as a lens through which to scrutinize pressing issues, creating an opportunity for attendees to engage in critical questioning and attentive listening.

Confronting Complex Issues

One of the festival's opening events aims to tackle the xenophobia and targeting of Black migrants in South Africa, a nuanced discussion set within the broader context of migration crises. Despite assumptions about silence among South African writers, there are deeper conversations happening locally that often get drowned out in wider narratives. NYBALF strives to disrupt these echo chambers and foster a richer, more nuanced dialogue.

Collaborative Programming with the Schomburg Center

The Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture is a central venue this year. What does it mean to situate this conversation within that institution?

The Schomburg Center is a cornerstone of Black and African cultural production. Collaborating with such an esteemed institution not only amplifies the festival's mission but also enriches the dialogue with its extensive resources. By prioritizing institutional collaboration, NYBALF aims to bridge the gap in access to African and Black scholarship, encouraging a community-centric approach to cultural and intellectual exchange.

Defining Success for NYBALF

What does success look like for NYBALF in year two and where do you want it to look like in ten years?

While growing attendance is important, success is equally about the dialogues that transcend national and linguistic barriers, leading to lasting relationships among institutions. NYBALF is striving to cultivate an infrastructure that nurtures relationships between writers, publishers, and organizations throughout the year, beyond the three-day festival, aiming for impactful career developments for emerging voices.

The New York Black and African Literature Festival will take place September 18–20, 2026, at Harlem Stage and the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture.