42 Books / 42 Years Exhibit
Since 1983, the History of Black Writing (HBW) has been dedicated to the study of the Black book, especially the African American novel. During these 42 years HBW has committed its efforts toward literary recovery, digital preservation and access, and innovative programming. Today, it is regarded as a supportive intellectual community for matriculating students as well as scholars and professionals invested in African American literature and culture. The center and its archives were founded at the University of Mississippi, were located at both Northeastern University and the University of Kansas, and then moved to Indiana University Bloomington in 2024. Its mission is to foster dialogues about the past, present, and future of Black writing to help sustain the reading, study, and teaching of this work. HBW also aims to generate new knowledge meaningful for understanding and affirming Black culture and life.
This exhibit, 42 Books / 42 Years, highlights just a few of the many important novels published throughout African American and African diaspora literary history that HBW engages with in its ongoing recovery and preservation work.
