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Welcome to the Literature section of the BCA website, where we celebrate and promote the importance of Black storytelling and representation in Aotearoa New Zealand. The literary pantheon of Africa and the Diaspora goes far beyond our bondage/enslavement and war against colonialism and white supremacy. Some of the greatest love stories, epic biographies, fascinating science-fiction and tantalizing thrillers have been written by Black authors. And while Black books hold a special place in the hearts of all those who whakapapa back to the African continent, the stories told and lives examined in our writing have touched the hearts and minds of every culture, language and society that has existed on this planet. We believe that literature has the power to inform, inspire, and heal.
Black Ink: A Collection of books from Africa and the diaspora
Auckland Library
2022
With the COVID-19 pandemic, Black owned bookstores and the Black literary industry was hit really hard, despite the increased desire for anti-racist books and general books on Black history and culture spurred by the BLM Movement.
The literary pantheon of Africa and the Diaspora goes far beyond our bondage/enslavement and war against colonialism and white supremacy. Some of the greatest love stories, epic biographies, fascinating science-fiction and tantalizing thrillers have been written by Black authors. And while Black books hold a special place in the hearts of all those who whakapapa back to the African continent, the stories told and lives examined in our writing have touched the hearts and minds of every culture, language and society that has existed on this planet.
With that in mind, alongside the BCA wider community we curated a collection of books that will start or restart you on a journey of essential readings from Africa and the Diaspora.
BLACK TO THE FUTURE
a literature and art zine
ELLEN MELVILLE CENTRE
JUNE 2023
BLack to the Future is the very first Black Zine in New Zealand that will feature all local African Black contributors. Co-editors Bareeka Vrede (South Africa) and Acacia Cochise (African American/Apache NativeAmerican) will be producing the literary zine which will feature the works of up to ten local Afro-Kiwi writers and visual poets and launched at Auckland City Library. This project will be delivered in partnership with the Ellen Melville Centre and Auckland Council
