THE
FESTIVAL
A Charleston Friends of the Library event
Black Ink is Charleston’s African-American Book Festival. It is a project of the Charleston Friends of the Library, a nonprofit organization. The purpose of the festival is to support black writers, especially from South
Carolina, creating a space for them to share their work, discuss their craft, and expose readers of all ages to the great variety of African American authors in the area.
The goal of Black Ink is to promote public awareness of the importance of African-American contributions to American literature and public conversation. Authors will present fiction, poetry, nonfiction, memoirs, self-help, and spiritual offerings. First-time attendees are awed by the crowd, the professionalism, and the art forms practiced in our area. The festival aims for exposure, celebration of writing as a form of art, and creating an opportunity for authors to network, recruit readers, and to be recognized as valued members of the community. The keynote address aims for inspiration, timely social commentary, but also a broadening of perspectives and a bringing together of a diverse array of people.