17th Austin African American Book Festival Recap

Adult programming began with 14 writers, who discussed their work during our indie author showcase. Christopher Michael introduced the authors and entertained the festival goers with his dynamic spoken word poetry.

Headlining the festival was New York Times bestselling author and multiple award-winning poet, producer and educator Kwame Alexander. Mr. Alexander entertained the crowd with stories about his journey as a writer and how his life was enriched by his relationship with literary icon Nikki Giovanni. 

Dr. Peniel Joseph explained why strident eras of racial progress are followed by racist backlash as he discussed his book “The Third Reconstruction: America’s Struggle for Racial Justice in the Twenty-First Century.” For this book Dr. Joseph received the Robert F. Kennedy Book Award, which recognizes exemplary work that explores issues of human rights, social justice, and the power of individual action. 

In a conversation with Dr. Mark Cunningham, journalist and Jefferson descendent Gayle Jessup White discussed the trials and triumphs experienced as she traced her lineage back to a founding father. She documented her journey in the book, “Reclamation.” Ms. White is the public relations and community engagement officer at Monticello, Thomas Jefferson’s legendary estate.   

Historian kYmberly Keeton’s genealogy workshop was a favorite activity for aspiring genealogist. Due to space and time constraints the workshop was limited to 25 people. Ms Keeton emailed workshop materials to those unable to participate in the session.  

For the kids the festival was a day with books, story time, art, movement, library tours, and snacks in the Carver library.  

Young festival goers watched Outreach Productions puppet show “Cool Ride In the Sky” Puppet Show. Then indie children’s authors presented their work in Children’s Story Time. This opportunity was created to both support new authors and give young readers the chance to stock up on the latest in Black children’s literature. 

The Ezra Jack Keats award-winning author Anne Wynter read from her latest book, “Nell Plants a Tree,” a delightful story about family heritage and a pecan tree. 

Using social justice issues, personal and career aspirations, and visual arts, literary activist Patrick Oliver engaged young people in a vision board activity to foster optimism and productive citizenship. Later in the afternoon, kids were treated to Kona Ice and entertained with a reading of “Wynter, Take A Bow!” by Willie Sue Anderson.