Juneteenth Literary Jubilee & Black Author Book Fest — MC’d by Tony Keith, Jr.
Wednesday, June 19, 2024 | 10:00 a.m.
$0 | 925 13th St., NW, Entrance on K Street
Join Planet Word in observing Juneteenth with a literary twist as we celebrate community authors and the rich contributions of African American writers and changemakers. Drop in and get to know local authors spanning multiple genres of Black-authored literature who will be selling books, engaging in conversation, and offering personalized book signings all day long!
Our MC for the day, award-winning poet, author (How the Boogeyman Became a Poet), and founder and CEO of Ed Emcee Academy, Tony Keith, Jr., will spotlight each author and their work in informal pop-up talks throughout the day. Enjoy cultural experiences connected to Juneteenth traditions, including live music performed by West African drum ensemble Versatile Soundzz, curated playlists spun by DJ Tromac, and literary icon-inspired bites and refreshments from Sofull Eats.
Participating authors:
Tony Keith, Jr. (MC)
Rion Amilcar Scott
Sufiya Abdur-Rahman
Q. Elizabeth (Ladie)
Dwayne Lawson-Brown
Derrick Weston Brown
Ebony Edwards
Samaadi Scott
Janis Evans
Rebecca Bishophall
Black Author Book Fest and pop-up talks — 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
DJ Tromac — 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Versatile Soundzz Drum Ensemble — 1 p.m., 2 p.m., 3 p.m.
Additionally, as we celebrate the dynamic literary and linguistic contributions of African Americans, Planet Word invites all to stop by the Friedman Family Auditorium to watch screenings of the award-winning and illuminating multi-part documentary series Talking Black in America. This series explores “the most controversial and misunderstood language variety in the United States: African American Language (AAL).” With perspectives of everyday individuals and insights of historians, linguists, and educators, the series dives into the history of AAL, its significance in the lives of African Americans, and its major societal impact in the United States.
Talking Black in America Documentary Series Screening
11 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. | Friedman Family Auditorium
Part 1: Talking Black in America (runtime 57 min)
Part 2: Signing Black in America (runtime 27 min)
Part 3: Talking Black in America – Roots (runtime 58 min)
Part 4: Talking Black in America – Performance Traditions (runtime 56 min)
Registration for this event also includes access to Planet Word’s galleries.
Please consider donating to help Planet Word support accessible community programming. For questions or concerns regarding accessibility needs, please contact [email protected].