Dinaw Mengestu Elected President of PEN America

Dinaw Mengestu has been elected as the new president of PEN America, a prominent organization dedicated to celebrating literature and defending freedom of expression. Mengestu, who is also the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Professor of the Humanities and director of the Written Arts Program at Bard College, will serve a two-year term as president and chair of the Board of Trustees. His election follows that of Jennifer Finney Boylan, who expanded the organization’s engagement with LGBTQ+ rights and inclusive storytelling.

Bard College’s Dinaw Mengestu Elected President of PEN AmericaDinaw Mengestu Named PEN America PresidentBard Professor Dinaw Mengestu Named President of PEN America

In his new role, Mengestu aims to strengthen PEN America’s literary presence and ensure that advocacy for free expression is closely tied to the experiences of writers. He has expressed a commitment to enhancing collaboration with PEN’s international chapters, emphasizing the importance of global solidarity in the face of increasing censorship and harassment of writers worldwide. “If we lose awareness of how important our culture of literary and artistic production is, our understanding of free expression goes with it,” Mengestu stated in an interview with the New York Times.

Bard College’s Dinaw Mengestu Elected President of PEN AmericaBard Professor Dinaw Mengestu Named President of PEN AmericaDinaw Mengestu Named PEN America President

Mengestu is an accomplished novelist, known for works such as *The Beautiful Things That Heaven Bears*, *How to Read the Air*, *All Our Names*, and *Someone Like Us*, all recognized as New York Times Notable Books. His most recent novel was selected as one of President Barack Obama’s favorite books of 2024. Born in Ethiopia, Mengestu has received numerous accolades, including a MacArthur Fellowship and the National Book Foundation’s “5 Under 35” award. His writing often explores themes of migration, displacement, and belonging, and has been translated into over 15 languages.

Bard College’s Dinaw Mengestu Elected President of PEN AmericaBard Professor Dinaw Mengestu Named President of PEN AmericaDinaw Mengestu Named PEN America President

Mengestu's election comes at a time marked by a dramatic rise in book censorship and threats to free speech, particularly within cultural and educational institutions. His leadership is seen as crucial in navigating these challenges and promoting the value of literature in a democratic society. “My driving ambition at PEN America has been to spread and promote the joy of literature—to make reading and the conversations and ideas that reading inspires accessible to more people,” Mengestu remarked.

Dinaw Mengestu Named PEN America PresidentBard College’s Dinaw Mengestu Elected President of PEN America

Summer Lopez, PEN America’s interim co-CEO and chief of free expression programs, praised Mengestu’s election, highlighting his career-long commitment to illuminating the lives of marginalized individuals through literature. She stated, “Dinaw Mengestu has spent his career illuminating the borders between countries, histories, and identities.”

Bard College’s Dinaw Mengestu Elected President of PEN America

While Mengestu's election has been largely welcomed, some critics may question how effectively PEN America can address the complexities of free expression in an increasingly polarized environment. The challenge remains to balance advocacy with the diverse perspectives within the literary community.

Bard College’s Dinaw Mengestu Elected President of PEN America

• “If we do not make room for the plurality and range of voices embodied in our literature, we endanger not only our culture, but our democracy.” — Dinaw Mengestu, President of PEN America

Dinaw Mengestu Named PEN America President

• “but it’s the relationship between free expression and literature and writers that makes PEN America’s work so unique.” — Dinaw Mengestu, President of PEN America

Bard College’s Dinaw Mengestu Elected President of PEN America

As Dinaw Mengestu steps into this pivotal role, his leadership is expected to guide PEN America through a critical period for both literature and democracy.

Dinaw Mengestu Named PEN America President