Sponsor Black Ink Festival 2021

Businesses and organizations may sign up to be a sponsor of the virtual festival that will help amplify the voices of black authors and connect them with readers

The Black Ink Festival is currently looking for sponsors for its 2021 virtual event, which will amplify the voices of black authors. Sponsors will have the opportunity to reach beyond Charleston to attendees from the southeast region and the country, who will be invited to learn about dozens of black writers and their work as well as topics related to writing, publishing and reading. The Black Ink Committee believes the festival’s impact is even greater in its fifth year due to the public dialogue taking place regarding equality and race. 

Black writers have faced struggles in publishing for decades. In the fight for racial equality and social justice in the last year, change has never been more palpable. In June, largely in response to the demands of more than 1,000 publishing employees, three of the five major publishers issued statements with their intentions to diversify the workforce and publish more writers of color. Many underrepresented writers believe that 2020 could become that watershed moment, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

“America’s racial awakening in the wake of the police killing of George Floyd has resulted in a major shift for the book publishing industry, with titles by black authors and those dealing with race issues seeing an uptick in sales,” according to the New York Daily News.

Amid this movement, Black Ink will further highlight the importance of diversifying our literary landscape. In our 2021 festival, New York Times bestselling author Kwame Mbalia will be the featured presenter and providing the keynote address. Mbalia, who writes middle-grade titles, authored “Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky,” and has a sequel to be released later this year. His personable, energetic style will engage readers of all ages and the dozens of black authors who will be featured during the festival will be able to share their work with the world.

While the festival will be presented virtually, we are offering expanded content and workshops designed to reach a broader audience. With a virtual platform, we expect readers and authors from around the country and indeed, around the world, to participate in the festival that exposes them to black authors and new perspectives.

If your business or organization is interested in becoming a sponsor, please contact Susan Hoffius at 843-805-6882 or Director@CharlestonLibraryFriends.org. To make a donation, click here. For more information about the LAE, click here. Black Ink is hosted by the Charleston Friends of the Library in partnership with the Charleston County Public Library.