The Black Author Book Festival is set to bring together literature lovers and culture enthusiasts on Saturday, Sept. 14 at the Sandy Spring Slave Museum & African Art Gallery. This free event, running from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m., will showcase a diverse lineup of Black authors, offering visitors the chance to explore genres ranging from children’s books to suspenseful thrillers, romance, poetry, and educational reads.
Attendees will enjoy live read-aloud sessions, hands-on workshops, and author panels throughout the day. The festival will also feature food trucks and live music, making it an event for both bookworms and casual festival goers alike.
Some highlights of the festival include:
Read-Alouds:
- 11:15 a.m. – April Snyder, All the Things She Thinks About
- 12:15 p.m. – Ashley Palmer, Boys Do Cry
- 12:30 p.m. – Morenike Euba Oyenusi, Isaiah and the Orchestra of Sounds
- 1:15 p.m. – J.S. Living, The Covenant of Blood
Workshops:
- 11:30 a.m. – Dana Burton, STEM Memory Box (Ages 5-11)
- 1:00 p.m. – Paula Murrain, Planning Fall Flowers (Ages 4-8)
- 1:30 p.m. – Erin Faith Kabba, Creating a Legacy (Adults)
Panels:
- 11:30 a.m. – Transformation and Growth Through Literature with Dr. Adebola Ajao, Ruth Redmond, and Daman Harris
- 12:45 p.m. – Romance and Black Love with Eden Appiah-Kubi, Katrina Krave, Rona Drinkard, T.C. McFarland, and audiobook voice artist Carmen Seantel
- 2:30 p.m. – Roots and Wings: Celebrating Black Heritage Through Books with Brian K. Harris, Dr. Troy E. Boddy, and N.D. Jones
A special information session at 2 p.m. will guide aspiring authors on how to turn their book ideas into reality, hosted by authors Karen Bowlding and Kathy Anderson.
The festival will also feature book raffles and the opportunity to purchase signed copies from participating authors. Don’t miss the chance to support Black voices in literature while enjoying a day of learning, entertainment, and community.
Mark your calendars and join this enriching celebration of literature, culture, and creativity. Reservations are available online here. The museum is located in Sandy Spring at 18524 Brooke Road.
