The Fourth Annual James Baldwin Festival Of Words will celebrate "black excellence in literary arts" with a full day focused on "Literacy and Our Youth."
The event will be held on Saturday, Aug. 23, with various events throughout the day from 10 a.m.-9 p.m. t the Downtown Chattanooga Library.
Organizers said, "As an extension of the Chattanooga Festivals of Black Arts & Ideas, this full-day festival showcases emerging and established artists of African descent who are creating, innovating and producing extraordinary work in the literary arts."
Festival Director Marsha Mills said, “The James Baldwin Festival of Words is a great opportunity to celebrate those who create, support and appreciate the literary arts.”
She said this year’s festival is especially exciting to her as the focus is on area youth.
“The literary arts include authorship, journalism, poetry and spoken word, and many times our young people are left out of the conversation. This year, we are calling for everyone in the community who cares about literacy and our young people to come. That should be all of us,” she said. "We encourage the entire community of all ages and backgrounds to attend, support and add your voice to this literary conversation in our city."
Festival special guest, Dr. Lawrence Dean, II, known as LifeSpeaksLife, is a motivator, international speaker, educator and poet. He will engage with attending youth and families, as well as educators and community members through keynote speeches, talks and a special presentation as part of the open mic poetry showcase that evening.
All events are open to all ages. Youth attendance and participation is encouraged.
Activities planned for the day include:
- Literary Lounge: Black Author Marketplace showcases local black authors. Meet them. Connect and network. Bring your children with you to meet these authors. Registration to be a vendor is still open. If you are a black author or if you are a black business owner who offers services and/or products that support literary arts, submit payment to secure your spot on the festival floor. Reach out to Ms. Mills by sending an email to RNCPoetry@gmail.com with any questions.
- Storytime children’s book readings will be held on the second floor for young readers throughout the day. They will have the opportunity to meet and get pictures with some of the authors who wrote the books that are being read.
- Performances on the Plaza will be going on throughout the festival day right outside the library doors. Performances will include book readings, poetry, spoken word and music.
- “Feast of Words: Recipes for Poetic Inspiration"–A Culinary Poetry Workshop. This workshop will be led by Coach Laura Brown, owner of the Write Womb InKubator. Attendees will embark on a flavorful journey through the themes and imagery that food evokes in poetry. Explore the sensory experiences that will transform everyday ingredients into vibrant verses. All ages and backgrounds are invited to this community-wide writing session. Online registration is recommended. Workshop cost: $20 to cover your workbook and writing materials–payable at the door or online.
- Panel discussion on the topic of “From Baldwin to the Block: Reimagining Literacy for Black Youth in Our Schools” led by Lawkweshia Ewing. Local educators will discuss and answer questions on this topic. Everyone who has an interest in the education of black youth needs to be in the room for this discussion.
- Shades of Poetry spoken word event featuring festival special guest, LifeSpeaksLife, a community-wide open mic for all ages and a special performance that crosses several disciplines of the arts. Tickets are $10 in advance and $15 day of show. Purchase tickets
here.
Organizers said, "For detailed information about the only literary festival of its kind in Chattanooga, visit our website at https://www.blackartsandideasfest.com/festivals/james-baldwin-festival-of-words. Follow the festival on Facebook and Instagram at Chattanooga Festival of Black Arts and Ideas.
"This festival is led by Marsha Mills of Rhyme N Chatt Interactive Poetry Organization and organized by Erika Roberts of Velvet Poetry, LaSha Rockymore-Mitchell of the MFA Foundation and Joshua Hubbard of Mahogany Nights. This festival is made possible through the financial & technical support of Benwood Foundation, Lyndhurst Foundation, Footprint Foundation, WUTC 88.1FM, Rhyme N Chatt Interactive Poetry Organization, MFA Foundation, Velvet Poetry, the Black Wall Street Society of Chattanooga, Unlearn Everything and Live and the Chattanooga Public Library."