Charles Waddell Chesnutt Association 1.54

The Charles Waddell Chesnutt Association was organized June 1, 1996, in San Diego, California, at the American Literature Association Conference. Responding to an invitation issued by the Chesnutt Association’s co-founder, Ernestine W. Pickens, Clark Atlanta University, fourteen scholars attended an organizing session: Deborah Barnes, Keith Byerman, Margaret Bauer, Michelle Birnbaum, Carolyn Denard, Donald Gibson, Susan McFatter Wright, William Pickens, Ernestine Pickens, Wilfred Samuels, Carole Shaffer-Koros, Candace Waid, Loretta Woodard, and Annette Zilversmit. These scholars joined the association, elected officers, and ratified a set of by-laws. The Chesnutt Association’s chartering celebration took place on the Clark Atlanta University campus on April 23, 1998.

The Chesnutt Association is an author society of the American Literature Association, a coalition of author societies. The purpose of the Charles Waddell Chesnutt Association is to sponsor forums, panels, programs, and activities that enhance the critical study of Charles W. Chesnutt and his works.

Currently, the Chesnutt Association sponsors standing sessions at the annual American Literature Association Conference and the College Language Association Conference and holds special sessions at the Modern Language Association Conference.