SPECIAL EXHIBITORS
Charles and Company
Lawrence Charles, Owner
Hurston/Wright Foundation
Khadijah Z. Ali-Coleman
About Hurston/Wright Foundation: The mission of the Zora Neale Hurston/Richard Wright Foundation is to discover, mentor, and honor Black writers. For over 30 years, the Hurston/Wright Foundation has been a home for emerging Black writers. We honor the diversity within our rich community of writers and facilitate culturally competent writing workshops and professional development courses that are meaningful and impactful. We also present a robust awards program that offers recognition to established writers and recognition and financial awards to emerging fiction, nonfiction, and poetry writers. Our current awards program includes the annual Legacy Award for book authors, the College Award in Fiction and Poetry, and the Crossover Award for Nonfiction. Through a social justice lens, our work provides the necessary services, support, and opportunities for Black writers seeking to publish work within a publishing industry that has traditionally failed to publish work by Black writers proportionate to their population. We also recognize that our social activism aids in disrupting systems that hinder Black writers from having access to specific opportunities—from writing residencies to participation in quality writing workshops and craft talks.
#ReadBlackBooks: Facilitating a Love of Reading at Home: in this session, Khadijah Z. Ali-Coleman, executive director of the Hurston/Wright Foundation and founding director of Black Family Homeschool Educators and Scholars, LLC, shares strategies to facilitate a love of reading at home, whether a child is attending traditional school settings (public, private or charter) or homeschooled. Dr. Ali-Coleman will introduce the #ReadBlackBooks database of books and extension activities created by the 2023 Hurston/Wright Foundation Writer-in-Residence, B. Sharise Moore, who debuted the collection during her residency in June 2023.
Written In Melanin
The Written in Melanin Podcast is where you come for your weekly dose of melanated creativity. Hosted by C. M. Lockhart, an author of fantasy books featuring Black girls who aren't all that nice and the owner of the Melanin Library, this podcast is a candid glimpse into her journey as a Black indie author. New episodes are released every other Wednesday!
Black Writers on Tour
Dr. Rosie Milligan
Dr. Rosie Milligan is a prominent figure in the business and financial world, known for her multifaceted roles and exceptional expertise. As the CEO of Professional Business Management & Consulting Services and the Founder of My Tech Academy, she has established herself as one of Los Angeles's renowned financial gurus. Her extensive background includes being a seasoned Senior Estate Planner, Business Coach, Business Consultant, and holder of a Ph.D. in Business Administration.
Dr. Milligan's reputation extends nationwide, with individuals and organizations seeking her out for top-tier business and financial coaching services. With over 26 authored books and has published 450 books for other authors, she owns the nation's largest and most prominent African-American publishing house. As founder of Black Writers on Tour, Dr. Milligan seeks to promote authors in their literary careers and assist in preserving African-American culture by helping African Americans-tell their stories.
Dr. Dawn Lewis
Author – Guided Prayer Journal
“Call Me Wife”
To empower women desiring marriage to embrace their true selves, release the past, and create a sacred space for their future husbands to find them.
Malik's Magic African Alphabet Hat
Our mission is to encourage Rebirth, Unity, and Kindness in the community. With our literature and community outreach, we advocate the importance of working together for the greater good.
Purple Diamond Press
C.M. Harris (Charity Harris)
What If We Were All the Same! is a children’s book that embraces the beautiful differences in height, hair type, abilities, and more. Perfect for non-readers, early readers, and children of all ages. What kind of world would we live in if everyone looked the same and did the same things? —- a boring one!
Picture book full of excitement and colorful illustrations!
Marlo M. Afflalo
Living Enterprise
Author, Transformational Speaker, Coach, and founder of Living Enterprise, a teaching ministry dedicated to building the Kingdom of God.
Kacey Powell-Thorps
Author – Actress – Producer – Host
Dee Smith , MA
The Luxe Life Book - Closet D Luxe
Publication dedicated to empowering women to thrive fabulously in their purpose.
Labor Community Strategy Center – Strategy and Soul Bookstore
Strategy and Soul Bookstore is an Afrocentric Bookstore in South Central Los Angeles and a Labor Community Strategy Center project.
Alicia Coulter
Safe Space for Black Women
Alicia Coulter, MPH, MSW, is the CEO and co-founder of Advantage Health Now. Alicia is also a Critical Race Theorist and highly sought-after speaker with a passion for equity and inclusion and a heart for education. Alicia's delivery style as a keynote or panelist when delivering challenging topics brings charisma and tenacity, encouraging the audience to let down their guard. Her experience includes keynote workshops, corporate sessions, and individual health education seminars. Author of “Safe Spaces for Black Women”, Coulter discusses safe spaces for Black women to validate, encourage and elevate themselves.