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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.

2019

The fourth annual Black Ink: A Charleston African-American Book Festival will take place on October 5, 2019, at Memminger Auditorium (56 Beaufain Street). This year, for the first time, Black Ink is a part of the City of Charleston’s MOJA Arts Festival. The 2019 keynote speaker will be the world-renowned poet, writer, and educator, Nikki Giovanni.

Black Ink 2019 Committee members:
Djuanna Brockington, (YWCA of Greater Charleston), Lavanda Brown (YWCA of Greater Charleston), Melanie Collins (Charleston County Public Library), Dena Davis, Savannah Frierson (Avery Research Center), Claire Fund, Natalie Hauff (Charleston County Public Library), Stephen Hoffius, Darlene Jackson (Charleston County Public Library), Jeanell Marvin (Charleston Friends of the Library), Georgette Mayo (Avery Research Center), Lorraine Powers, Paul Stoney (YMCA of Greater Charleston), Debora Yost (Charleston Friends of the Library).

PAST EVENTS

Previous festivals have drawn about 60 authors, the vast majority from the Charleston area, and more than 500 readers. Many of the authors have reported selling dozens of their books at this event. Keynote speakers in the past have been Marcus Amaker (2016), Kwame Alexander (2017), and Terry McMillan (2018). Sponsors of the festival have included the Charleston County Public Library, the Library Foundation of the Lowcountry, South Carolina Humanities, Avery Research Center of the College of Charleston, T-Mobile, Lagunitas Brewery, the law offices of David Aylor, Palmetto Surety, Statehouse Report, and South State Bank.

AUTHORS REGISTRATION

Thank you for your interest in participating in Black Ink 2019! Registration for authors is full. However, if you would like to be added to the waitlist, please submit your information. Click here.

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