Harlem Writers Group Headed by FSC Professor
August 27, 2018
Professor Bentley Whitfield
Bentley Whitfield, adjunct in the Department of English/Humanities, leads a fascinating life outside the classroom. An avid fan of small museums who travels across the country to visit and write about them, he is also director of a group called the Harlem Neighborhood Writers.
Harlem Neighborhood Writers is a support group for published as well as budding writers, helping them develop their craft and launch new projects. The group meets twice a month, where members read their work and offer constructive criticism of others’ work. The group includes more than 400 ethnically diverse writers representing virtually every genre – from poetry and biography to science fiction and children’s literature. About 60% of the group’s members have been published.
“Harlem has a great literary history,” said Whitfield. “Just mention the ‘Harlem Renaissance‘ and people all over the world are aware of the accomplishments of those great artists. In fact, I’m proud that people from different nations and across the country attend our meetings.
“Being the director of the Harlem Neighborhood Writers is a great honor. I view my work there as an extension of what I experience in the classroom. For 17 years, I have had the honor of being a professor with the State University of New York [16 years at FSC], where students often explore literature of great writers from the past. At Harlem Neighborhood Writers, I have the opportunity to watch great writers of the future.”
Now the group has launched a cable TV show in the New York City market, also known as Harlem Neighborhood Writers. One writer is featured per episode, and Whitfield is the host. Authors read from their work, followed by discussion. Watch the first episode on YouTube.
