A panel of black women writers talked about Zora Neale Hurston and her novel Their Eyes Were Watching God. They talked about the influence the book has had on African-American culture and the literary world as well as on their own lives. Lucy Anne Hurston moderated. They also responded to questions from members of the audience. "Women Writers on the Horizon" was part of the celebration Honoring the 75th Anniversary of Zora Neale Hurston's Their Eyes Were Watching God held at the Jerome L. Greene Performance Space. Carl Hancock Rux and Ruben Santiago-Hudson are mis-identified on screen.

Valerie Boyd talked about her biography, Wrapped in Rainbows: The Life of Zora Neale Hurston, published by Scribner. The book retraces the life and literary career of the novelist who wrote Their Eyes Were Watching God and other books during the 1930s. Ms. Boyd also talked about Hurston's relationship with the group of authors whose writings were part of the Harlem Renaissance. Moreover, she focused on Hurston's tumultuous relationship with Percy Punter. Following her talk, Ms. Boyd answered questions from members of the audience.

As part of the Harlem Book Fair a walking tour took place in the heart of Harlem, with many stops relating to writers associated with the Harlem Renaissance of the 1920s and 1930s. People featured include the well-known Alfonso Schomburg, Marcus Garvey, Zora Neal Hurston, and Billy Holliday as well as the more obscure Rudolph Fisher, Casper Holstien, and Geraldine Disman.

Carla Kaplan was joined by actors Avery Brooks and Phyllis Yvonne Stickney, and authors Jill Nelson and Brian Keith Jackson in a celebration of the life and work of Zora Neale Hurston. Also in attendance was Lucy Anne Hurston, niece of the acclaimed author. The performers read selections from Zora Neale Hurston: A Life in Letters, edited by Ms. Kaplan and published by Doubleday. Musician and vocalist Olu Dara and guitarist Alonzo Gardner provided musical accompaniment.

Harvard University Professor Henry Louis Gates talked about the Harlem Renaissance and its contribution to the arts. He outlined the history of the movement which began in 1925.

In a session of the Langston Hughes Centennial Symposium, panelists described the Harlem Renaissance writers, primarily Langston Hughes and Zora Neale Hurston. They focused on the political and social climate at the time and the manner in which Mr. Hughes and Ms. Hurston were successful in defining the social movement. After their presentations, the panelists answered questions. Mr. Hughes was born in Lawrence, Kansas.