HBW and The Literary Blog: Note from the Editor

[By Goyland Williams]

After roughly two and half years of successfully founding and editing the Project on the History of Black Writing blog, and after shifting his focus to the many other areas/hats of his graduate career, Kenton Rambsy deserves much praise for ever expanding, digging, and creating an on-line presence and intellectual home for African-American Literature and Culture. With that said, I know step up and fill the role of editor-in-chief. In the days and weeks to come, the blog will feature a new look, a look-back video series in honor of HBW’s 30th year anniversary, and critical/artistic insight from brave new voices.

HBW’s history begins with the vision of Dr. Maryemma Graham--Founder and Director. Founded at the University of Mississippi in 1983, the project began as a conscious effort to recover the literary works of black writers as far and wide as possible. Since then it has expanded to a center that is dedicated to textual scholarship, book history, professional development, and public literacy programming. Keeping in the tradition of professional development, HBW hosted its 7th NEH Institute- “Don’t Deny My Voice: Reading and Teaching African-American Poetries” this summer at the University of Kansas.

In an effort to highlight some of the key moments in HBW’s 30 year history, the Look-Back Video- Series will show-case voices ranging from Michael Eric Dyson to that of  my “intellectual father,” Jerry W. Ward Jr.  These voices are both past and present; sophist and sage; prophetic and prolific. In all, each video tries to capture and promote the vision of HBW and Dr. Graham while expanding our notions of black artistic and expressive culture.

Join me as we celebrate the accomplishments and achievements of both Kenton Rambsy and the Project on the History of Black Writing. I look forward to an exciting year as we write, critique, and explore dimensions of African American Literature and Culture. Feel free to submit blog post, post comments, or offer new suggestions. Once again, the show goes on.