THE LITERARY HISTORY CENTER is a digital project created, operated and preserved by The Institute for African American Writing, a nonprofit organization based in Washington, DC, in partnership with Esther Productions Inc.

The Center is dedicated to researching, studying, preserving, promoting and celebrating the narratives of Black poets and authors across genres and generations, particularly those who lived and worked in the District of Columbia from 1970s through the present. 

In consideration of its mission, The Literary History Center sponsors and produces education and humanities programs, including exhibitions, symposia, and public readings by authors and scholars.

The Center also publishes online original essays and scholarly papers that focus on writers and literary activities held in the District of Columbia, Maryland or Virginia that involved African Americans literary artists and/or that impacted the development or advancement of Black authors and poets from the 19th Century through the present.

Support for The Literary History Center’s projects has been provided by HumanitiesDC, Kerry S. Pearson LLC, Andy Shallal, owner of Busboys and Poets and Friends of Esther.

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