Join the Harlem Library for a writing workshop celebrating the legacy of James Baldwin.

This event will be held in person at the Harlem Library. Writers of all levels, genres, and styles can attend and write. We invite you to join us for an informal and relaxed writing experience honoring the work of James Baldwin. Using a variety of prompts, we’ll look at facets of his writing, such as his usage of characters, location, and lived experience, to build a narrative. The workshop will include built-in writing time and an opportunity to share at the end of the program.  No familiarity with Baldwin’s work is necessary; learn with us!

Born on August 2, 1924, author and activist James Baldwin impacted American literature and culture. Although Baldwin passed in 1987, his legacy lives on through an array of incredible writing, from the boundary-breaking Giovanni’s Room, a rare depiction of gay men’s relationships in 1950s literature, to The Fire Next Time, a powerful essay collection on race in America.

For the more than two decades she’s been on the scene, bassist/vocalist/producer/label owner and now filmmaker Mimi Jones has reigned supreme, as a side woman to an impressive coterie of musicians and as a leader with three CDs on her own label, (Hot Tone Music) featuring the Mimi Jones Band.

Her newest release for the label, Feet in the Mud, is her most powerful, recording to date. “Feet in the Mud refers to being true to one’s own self despite your race, age, gender, size etcetera,” Jones says.

Jones is supported by an engaging and ingenious collection of musicians including pianist Jon Cowherd, drummer Jonathan Barber, and saxophonist Samir Zarif.

Born in New York City of parents from Barbados, and raised in the Bronx,

Jones is a graduate of the Manhattan School of Music Conservatory and she has studied with Lisle Atkinson, Ron Carter, Linda McKnight, Milton Hinton and others.

She has toured extensively throughout Africa, Asia, Europe, South America, and the Caribbean Islands and is recognized as a U.S. Jazz Ambassador. Her vast work as a side woman includes gigs with Kenny Barron, Frank Ocean, Dianne Reeves, Tia Fuller, Ingrid Jensen, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Marc Cary, Toshi Reagon, Rachel Z, Sean Jones, Ravi Coltrane,and Terri Lyne Carrington’sGrammy Award winning Mosaic Project.

Jones also serves as co-director with ArcoIris Sandoval of The D.O.M.E. Experience, a multimedia project created to inspire its audience to become aware of environmental and social issues, within the community and globally through choreography, composition and cinematography