Toni Morrison. Langston Hughes. The incomparable Maya Angelou. In February, U.S. Embassy Niger celebrated all of these famous African-American writers with a writers workshop to help inspire young authors. This small workshop included 15 selected participants who developed short reflections on their art and their methods of self-expression. Leading the workshop was acclaimed writer and scholar Antoinette Tidjani, Professor of French and Comparative Literature/Director of Performing Arts at Abdou Moumouni University, a Fulbright scholar and, most recently, a Post-nominated participant in the Iowa Writers Program.
This event was part of the Embassy’s Black History Month celebration, which also included film showings and a discussion on women and leadership, comparing the experiences of African American and Nigerien women.