Toni Morrison: Editorial Legacy and Literary and Artistic Freedom Conference
September 21, 23, and 24, 2026 at Stony Brook University
Co-Convenors: Yolanda Mackey-Barkers and Tracey Walters
Co-Sponsors: Department of Africana Studies, Department of English, Humanities Insititute at Stony Brook
12:30 - 2:00 pm: Community Reading of The Bluest Eye
LOCATION: Humanities Building Foyer, TBD
Students, faculty, staff, and the larger Stony Brook community will be invited to share their favorite passage from Morrison’s The Bluest Eye.
12:00 pm to 12:30 pm: Viewing of documentary (Un)Banning Toni Morrison
LOCATION: 1008 Humanities
12:30 pm - 2:00 pm: Artist Discussion and Banned Books Panel
LOCATION: 1008 Humanities
- Kasandra Pantoja, artist
- Ileana Jiménez, SBU, Department of English
- Christine Fena, SBU, Library Representative
3:00 pm - 4:00 pm: Artist Collage Workshop (Registration required, capped at 15 participants)
LOCATION: 1008 Humanities
This hands-on workshop will be facilitated by Kasandra Pantoja for students and faculty to create their own piece of Banned Book themed artwork. Materials will be supplied.
11:00 am - 12:00 pm: Undergrad panel with Dana A. Williams (Registration required)
LOCATION: Special Collections, TBD
In both panels, students will have an opportunity to be in conversation with Dr. Williams. Students will have the chance to ask Dr. Williams questions about her process writing Toni at Random and working with archives. In the graduate student panel, students will also be encouraged to ask questions regarding professional development, since Dr. Williams is the immediate past president of MLA.
4:30 pm - 5:00 pm: Social Hour/Book Signing with Dana A. Williams
LOCATION: Humanities Building Foyer, TBD
5:30 pm - 6:30 pm: Run Run Shaw Lecture by Dana A. Williams (Registration is free and strongly suggested)
LOCATION: Humanities Institute Lecture Hall (1006 Humanities)
Dr. Williams will give the keynote address for our conference, focusing on her recent book, Toni at Random, which offers an intellectual history of Morrison’s work as an editor alongside her literary legacy.