Nathan H. Dize Named Literary Host for 2026 Words Without Borders Gala

Nathan H. Dize, Assistant Professor of French in the Department of Romance Languages and Literatures, has been named one of the literary hosts for the 2026 Words Without Borders Gala, taking place October 28, 2026, at The Edison Ballroom in New York City.

The annual gala celebrates the power of international literature and brings together acclaimed writers, translators, publishers, and advocates from around the world. Dize joins a distinguished group of writers and translators serving as literary hosts for this year’s event, which will celebrate the global literary community and the work of Words Without Borders in expanding access to international writing.

A scholar of French Caribbean literature, translation, and the African Diaspora, Dize’s work centers on Haitian and Francophone Caribbean literary and intellectual traditions. He is also an accomplished translator of Haitian and Caribbean literature, with translations of works by authors including Makenzy Orcel, Kettly Mars, Lyonel Trouillot, Néhémy Pierre-Dahomey, Jean D’Amérique, James Noël, and Évelyne Trouillot.

Dize has an established relationship with Words Without Borders and previously contributed to the organization’s work through his translations of Caribbean literature. He was also featured in the 2025 launch of Words Without Borders Campus’s Caribbean unit, which brings Caribbean literature into classrooms through a collection of works from across the region.

The 2026 Words Without Borders Gala will be chaired by Judy Clain, Senior Vice President and Publisher of Summit Books, with Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright and novelist Ayad Akhtar serving as honorary chair.

Congratulations to Professor Dize on this well-deserved recognition and on his continued contributions to the international literary and translation community!

For more information, visit The 2026 Words Without Borders Gala - Words Without Borders