The Harlem Book Fair is set to take place at the Adam Clayton Powell State Office Building Plaza on Saturday, Aug. 29, for its 27th year. The annual literary event, which will celebrate the centennial of the Harlem Renaissance, will be a festive showcase of writers, panel discussions, and live music.
More than 20 authors will display their work for the public on the Outdoor World Stage outside of the State Office Building. Hosted by Bob McNeil, the event will feature each writer allotted 10 minutes to showcase their work, starting at 10 a.m. and continuing until 6 p.m.
The Outdoor World Stage will have nonfiction works from authors like Biodun Abudu, Eric Kellum, and Tanesha Cameron-Cole. There will be self-help book authors on hand as well with their newest works, including Courtenay Lapovsky and Khadijah Butler, and fiction writers such as Margaret Adetimehin, Judy Ambers, and Karlene Joseph.
Deirdre McEachern & Signature Live! are slated to perform between the afternoon author segments. The Baltimore band specializes in classic R&B and soul music from the 1950s to today, as well as some dynamic versions of Top 40 hits.
Max Rodriguez, founder of Harlem Book Fair. (Photo courtesy of Max Rodriguez’s personal collection)
While attendees get introduced to some new books, the Book Fair will also host author readings in the State Building, focusing on women’s health and self-health in the morning. Kameelah Phillips will kick things off with a reading of an excerpt from her Women’s Health book, “The Empowered Hysterectomy: Your Complete Handbook to Diagnosis, Decision, and Treatment.” The afternoon is set to feature readings of nonfiction, fiction, and sci-fi literature, including a brief reading from Sara Lobman’s “Cuba and the Independence War in Guinea-Bissau and Cape Verde.” The end of the day will be capped by readings from children’s books.
Woven in with the numerous readings will be four informative panel discussions: “I Am Well Woman: Learning How to Heal When You Must Endure”; “The Art of Adaptation: The Journey from Novel to Location to Film”; “Plunder, Promise, and Prosperity: A Conversation About Institutions, Families, Financial Education, and Economic Justice”; and “Getting Deals Done: Financial Excellence, Entrepreneurship, & the American Dream at 250.”
The Harlem Book Fair, founded by Max Rodriguez, will be sponsored by the Bank of America. For more info, visit harlembookfair.com.
