The Winter/Spring 2014 issue of JALA is dedicated to the March 2013 African Literature Association conference organized by Prof. Lewis and hosted by the College of Charleston.  Lewis co-edited the issue with Maureen Eke with assistance from JALA general editor Abioseh Porter. The issue contains a number of critical essays derived from papers presented at the conference as well as transcripts and revisions of keynote lectures, and two blocks of tributes to two giants of African culture, Chinua Achebe and Nelson Mandela, who both passed away in 2013.