The Beverly Rogers, Carol C. Harter Black Mountain Institute (BMI) at UNLV continues its 20th anniversary celebration with free in-person literary events through May 2026. These events are free to attend and open to everyone.
BMI’s literary events bring together emerging writers, artists, and scholars in conversation around ideas and questions that are important to the Las Vegas community. Notably, this season’s in-person events are co-curated by BMI’s fellows: 2025-26 Shearing Fellows KB Brookins and Isle McElroy; City of Asylum Fellow Maryam Ala Amjadi; and BMI-Kluge Fellow Saretta Morgan.
BMI’s February and March events at the New West Las Vegas Library are presented in partnership with the Las Vegas-Clark County Library District. The February 28th event with George M. Johnson and KB Brookins is also co-sponsored by The Center.
In-Person Events:
- Jan. 30, 2026 at 6 p.m. | The Art of Retelling the Truth featuring Melissa Febos, Jamie Hood, and Isle McElroy at the UNLV Dr. Arturo Rando-Grillot Hall
- Feb. 28, 2026 at 5 p.m. | Writing the Book You Needed featuring George M. Johnson and KB Brookins at the New West Las Vegas Library
- March 10, 2026 at 7 p.m. | On Persian Poetry and the Art of Translation: Celebrating Ahmad Shamlou’s Centennial featuring Niloufar Talebi and Maryam Ala Amjadi at the UNLV Rogers Literature & Law Building Room 101
- March 27, 2026 at 7 p.m. | Nature is What We Come To in the Practice of Remembering featuring Saretta Morgan with Lazarus Letcher, Erica Vital-Lazare, and Claytee D. White at the New West Las Vegas Library
With a focus on making BMI’s free programs accessible to the widest possible audiences, additional programs and events will be announced throughout the year. For full event details, including information about the speakers and to register, visit the Black Mountain Institute website.
About Black Mountain Institute
Black Mountain Institute champions writers and storytellers through programs, fellowships and community engagement. From the brightest spot on the planet, Black Mountain Institute amplifies writing and artistic expression to connect us to each other in the Las Vegas Valley, the Southwest, and beyond.