15 October 2023
More than 40 Black authors will bring their books and storytelling talents to the Minnesota Black Authors Expo on Saturday, Oct. 21, at DeLaSalle High School in Minneapolis. The theme of this seventh annual expo, the first since the COVID shutdown, is “Dreaming in Color: Telling Our Stories to Save Our Lives.”
Shayla Michelle (Courtesy of the author)
“This powerful theme encapsulates the spirit of our Black people, our persistence, resistance, and resilience,” MBAE President Dorothy Nins wrote to the Pioneer Press. “Dreaming in Color reflects the vivid and diverse narratives of Black authors and artists, whose stories are not just words on a page but lifelines that connect communities, inspire change and ignite hope. Through the various shades of human experience, the Expo will bring together authors, readers, and literary enthusiasts for an exploration of the transformative power of storytelling and connecting people. In a world often plagued by division, these stories remind us of our shared humanity, of collective dreams, and the strength found within the community of Black creatives.”
The Expo, which draws thousands of attendees from around the country, includes authors of every genre and age. Among the high-profile attendees will be Shayla Michelle (Reaves), who will host a kids’ corner for arts and crafts. Michelle is an anchor and reporter at WCCO-TV and author of a children’s book, “Echo in the Distance,” a tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King and his dream of equality.
Running 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, the expo is free and open to the public at the school, 1 De La Salle Dr., Mpls. For information go to mnblackauthorsexpo.com.
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