Mosaic Literary Conference: Black Utopia
Sat, Dec 12, 2020
The 2020 Mosaic Literary Conference: Black Utopia will explore the idea of how our futures can be explored through health, education, art, and activism; and present a cohort of creative thinkers and scholars who will share how we can envision, explore, and expand discussions around urban environments, creative practice, and health & healing.
Health & Wellness Panel
Literary Advocacy and Activism Panel
Keynote Conversation: Kleaver Cruz and Paula Ramirez
Art Visions: How Creative Space Builds Better Humans
SCHEDULE
3:15pm-4pm
Health & Wellness
How can we shape the wellness of Black & Brown people without succumbing to the corporate health practices that work to support “traditional” treatment? This panel looks at how the African Diaspora and indigenous people are redefining holistic wellness and building inclusive models around health equity and access.
Panelist: George Aumoithe, Suhaly Bautista-Carolina, and MutShat Shemsut-Gianprem Kaur
Moderator: Tasha Dougé
4-450pm
Literary Advocacy and Activism
Building a comprehensive literary culture will take an unapologetic and intentional agency that recenters praxis around gender, race, and class. This panel examines the ways self-definition acts as a cudgel to reshape narratives. From biography to book clubs, we’ll explore ways the written word is shaping new ways of thinking.
Panelist: Ash Williams, Daleeja Foreman, Suhaly Bautista-Carolina, and Linda LaBeija
Moderator: Ron Kavanaugh
5-550pm
Keynote Conversation: Kleaver Cruz and Paula Ramirez
Kleaver Cruz from Uptown, NYC is a Black queer Dominican-American creative, writer and educator. Kleaver’s work has been featured in various publications in print and online. Cruz has been in community with and created work across the African Diaspora in Brazil, the US, The Netherlands as well as in South Africa and beyond. Cruz is the creator of The Black Joy Project, a digital and real-world affirmation that Black joy is resistance. Kleaver is also a member of We Are All Dominican--A U.S.-based grassroots collective that works in solidarity with movements led by Dominicans of Haitian descent fighting for inclusion and citizenship rights in the Dominican Republic. Photo credit: Stefen Pompée
Paula Ramirez is a native NYC poet. She represents The Bronx and Uptown NYC. She is honored to have had the opportunity to coach, support, advocate, and collaborate with young people across NYC and throughout the East Coast.
6-650pm
Art Visions: How Creative Space Builds Better Humans
Art and activism have parallel lives and executions. The two disciplines are often used on soapboxes and articles to describe individuals. Many of this summer's actions confronted the idea of effective participation, and how we utilize our intelligences to build a better world. This multidisciplinary arts panel will present ideas that bold inclusivity around creativity with the mission to fight oppression and spark new ways of connecting with our neighbors.
Panelist: Janice Lowe, Fred Joiner, and Dimitry Leger
Moderator: Tai Allen
DJ Sets by guests of Uptown Vinyl Supreme
The annual Mosaic Literary Conference presents a variety of topical, historical, and culturally themed panels and workshops that connect to our South Bronx community and reflect the issues that both elevate and oppress local citizens --development, crime, and technology among other subjects. MLC provides a platform for literature-based creative thinking and knowledge sharing, and invites educators, parents, community and arts organizations to take part in a series of programs that build social engagement and develop education strategies.