This just came across the GothamLit list (which anyone in NYC who loves books should be subscribed to):

Science fiction scholar Marleen S. Barr will present the paper “Why Science Fiction is Pertinent to Black Children’s Literature Pedagogy” at the State of African American and African Diaspora Studies Conference held in New York on January 8. Barr is scheduled to present at 10:15 AM in room C-205 at the CUNY Graduate Center.

This sounds totally fascinating. I’ll be out of town, but if you decide to go, please do report back!