What's Our Vision?
A NEW HARLEM RENAISSANCE...
WHO WE ARE
Harlem Neighborhood Writers is a group that prides itself on providing a welcoming, encouraging community for writers of all ages, genres, and levels of accomplishment.
Our mission is to support writers as they work, grow and blossom in their writing. We meet for constructive critique and debate surrounding not only the craft itself, but the many themes covered in our work. We aim to write with truth, sharing of ourselves through self-reflection and open dialogue.
A COMMUNITY OF MORE THAN 300 WRITERS
HNW strives to herald a New Harlem Renaissance. While many members are in the early stages of their career, others are accomplished, published and award-winning.
AN OPPORTUNITY TO INCREASE YOUR VISIBILITY
We highlight writers through our cable television program as a means of exposing them to the larger literary community.
A SUPPORT NETWORK FOR HARLEM WRITERS
Harlem Neighborhood Writers, or Harlem Renaissance II as we call ourselves, works to push writers towards their personal and professional goals, including publishing (traditional & self), building industry connections, and editorial services.
OUR LEADERSHIP
"I was born and raised in Harlem. I am enormously proud of Harlem's artistic contributions to the world. I am also keenly aware of how much Harlem shaped and influenced me. Being connected with the Harlem Neighborhood Writers allows me to play a small role in Harlem's continuing contribution to humanity." -Professor Bentley Whitfield
PROFESSOR
BENTLEY WHITFIELD
Director, HNW
Whitfield is a professor of English & Humanities with State University of New York (SUNY) Farmingdale and is a recipient of the prestigious Excellence in Teaching Award. He has written multiple essays and articles and his work has been published in numerous venues and carried by affiliates of ABC, CBS, FOX and NBC.
In 2006 Professor Whitfield founded the College Preparatory Program for At-Risk Youth (College Prep Program), established to assist at-risk high school students. Professor Whitfield has authored numerous grants from federal, state, local and private sector sources for the operation of the College Prep Program.Professor Whitfield along with his wife and three sons live on Long Island. Two of his sons have competed as Junior Olympians in USA Track & Field.
ALEXANDRA WILLIAMS-FLECK
Associate Director, HNW
Alexandra is a writer and crafter extraordinaire. Originally from the Bay Area, her background is in early childhood and ESL education. Currently she works for a higher ed non-profit that works with first-generation students from low-income backgrounds, helping them succeed in college and prepare for their futures.
Alexandra considers herself a fiction writer - predominantly YA - with various secondary genre interests (romance, fantasy, speculative, etc.) She has a book on submission that has received positive feedback, and she is looking forward to wherever her writing takes her next.
As co-organizer of the group, she manages the facebook page, the website, and helps conduct group meetings. She also supports Ms. Spencer with events and graphic design for the group.
JOHNDCA SPENCER
Manager of Special Events, HNW
UPCOMING EVENTS
Join us for another great meeting! Reading sign-ups are first-come-first-serve up to nine participants, with a waitlist for overflow dependent on time. Before we share we'll update you on any important news. Bring friends and bring your writing! We hope to have another great turnout. There will be food and it's free.
We had a wonderful meeting at the Harlem Branch on the 6th and welcomed a handful of new members! We hope to see them again soon. We'd also like to give a special thank you to everyone who attended and shared their material. It's not always easy to let others into your private space, and we appreciate you!Our next meeting will be announced via meeting Monday the week of. Remember to RSVP!
Poetry, Prose, and a Play - A Literary Event
Saturday, August 10, 2019
11:00AM to 2:00PM
Join us for an evening of literary excellence, hosted by the members of the Harlem Neighborhood Writers! Follow along as poets, prose writers, and a playwright share excerpts of their work. Q&A to follow!
Doors open at 6 PM, the show starts at 6:30 PM. Tickets are $10 at the door, cash only. Come early, and bring friends! We expect a great turn out. Lookout on our Instagram (@hnwgroup2016) closer to the event for features on our writers.
Questions about the event? Email us at hnwgroup2016@gmail.com!
HOW CAN WE HELP?
We look forward to supporting you on your writing journey.
© Harlem Neighborhood Writers 2019