Rooftop Happy Hour with the Schomburg Center and Brittle Paper

Pre-registration has ended for this event but we still encourage you to swing by. We hope to let people in night-of, if space permits. Sign up for NYPL Events to get the latest programs from the Library delivered straight to your inbox.

Join us on the SNFL terrace for readings, drinks, crafts, and more! Celebrate the 4th-annual Schomburg Center Literary Festival.

Featuring:

• Namina Forna (The Gilded Ones, The Merciless Ones)


• Buki Papillon (An Ordinary Wonder)

LIVE from NYPL's happy hours on the brand new terrace atop the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Library (SNFL) take place on select Fridays. Drop in for drinks, mingling, and crafts, as well as a short selection of curated readings.

Get together with the Schomburg Center Literary on the eve of their fourth annual festival. Together with the online literary magazine for readers of African Literature, Brittle Paper, they have curated a night of readings featuring Namina Forna and Buki Papillon. Come for a drink and the amazing view, stay to discover some new writing!

Join us at any point between 5:30-7:30 PM. Readings will begin at about 6:15 PM.

Co-presented with the Schomburg Center Literary Festival and Brittle Paper.

Brittle Paper is an online literary magazine for readers of African Literature. They are Africa’s premier online literary brand inspiring readers to explore and celebrate African literary experiences in all its diversity. 

COVID PROTOCOLS FOR IN-PERSON LIVE FROM NYPL PROGRAMS

The New York Public Library no longer mandates proof of vaccination at indoor public programs.

Patrons are strongly encouraged to wear a mask at LIVE from NYPL events.

If you have symptoms consistent with COVID-19 or suspect you have been in close contact with someone who has tested positive, please stay home.

ACCESSIBILITY

Assistive listening devices and/or hearing loops are available at the venue. You can request a free ASL (American Sign Language) interpretation or CART (Communication Access Real-Time Translation) captioning service by emailing your request at least two weeks in advance of the event: email accessibility@nypl.org or use this Gmail template. This venue is fully accessible to wheelchairs. A visual navigation guide is available here.

ABOUT THE SPEAKERS

Namina Forna is a young adult novelist based in Los Angeles, and the author of the New York Times bestselling epic fantasy YA novel The Gilded Ones. Originally from Sierra Leone, West Africa, she moved to the U.S. when she was nine and has been traveling back and forth ever since. Namina loves telling stories with fierce female leads and works as a screenwriter in LA

Buki Papillon was born in Nigeria, the oldest of six. She has a law degree from Hull University in the UK, and an MFA in Creative Writing from Lesley University in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Her debut novel, An Ordinary Wonder, received glowing reviews and mentions in The New York Times, Ms. Magazine, Essence, Cosmopolitan UK, YNaija, and more. It is brilliantly narrated in audiobook by Bridgerton actor Adjoa Andoh. Buki has received several fellowships and awards and is an alumnus of Key West Literary, Vermont Studio Center, and Vona Voices residencies and workshops. Buki currently lives in Boston, where she is resigned to finding inspiration in the long winters.

CONNECT

Please submit all press inquiries to Sara Beth Joren at least 48 hours before the event: email sarabethjoren@nypl.org or use this Gmail template.

For all other questions and inquiries, please email publicprograms@nypl.org or use this Gmail template.

The New York Public Library's free services and resources are made possible thanks to the support of the Friends of the Library. Join this group of Library lovers and take advantage of special membership benefits, like invitations to members-only virtual events, discounts at the Library Shop, and more. Join now.

LIVE from NYPL is made possible by the continuing generosity of Celeste Bartos, Mahnaz Ispahani Bartos and Adam Bartos, the Margaret and Herman Sokol Public Education Endowment Fund, and the support of Library patrons and friends.

This program is made possible by the Stavros Niarchos Foundation (SNF).

Namina Forna © Melanie D’Andrea

Buki Papillon © Ryuji-Suzuki