2026 African American Read-In Event Puts Community on Display

On February 21st, 2026, the University at Albany, through the hard work of Dr. Aiesha Turman and with the support of multiple entities on the UAlbany campus, held an official NCTE African American Read-In event from 10am to 5pm in the Campus Center. The theme for the event was "Black Speculative Futures," and it focused heavily, although not solely, on Afrofuturism. 

Keynote speaker B. Sharise Moore discussed various topics, including how she came upon Afrofuturism; fighting community blight within Baltimore; and exciting projects that are fostering curiosity in young children, such as the Black Robot Project by Jason Harris. She later led faculty and staff through a workshop on how to create zines. 

Marcus Kwame Anderson talked more in depth about his graphic novel Big Jim and the White Boy, as well as how curiosity and inquiry have been a cornerstone of his love for the arts. 

D. Colin led faculty and students through a poetry workshop where she shared her own approach to the creative process. 

Finally, attendees were treated to open-mic style reading performances by University faculty, staff, and students. 

Additional videos from the event can be found on our WCI YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@wciualbany