25th Annual Celebration of Black Writing Festival

Greetings!

This year, the Celebration of Black Writing Festival turns 25! The festival's theme "Writing for Our Lives" will focus, as always, on literacy and asking how a book can save a life and a community that was once forbidden to read it.

For the first time in the history of the festival, Art Sanctuary will award three honorees: scholar and founder of the University of Pennsylvania's Center for Africana Studies, Dr. Houston A. Baker, Jr., the extraordinary youth adult author, Walter Dean Myers, and children's book illustrator, Jerry Pinkney.

Come join the festivitiesat the Lifetime Achievement Award Ceremony (Friday, May 22, 2009), featuring internationally acclaimed women's acapella choral and percussion ensemble, Voices of Africa, and a special tribute by poet Sonia Sanchez in memory of author and professor Kristin Lattany.

Join us for the kick off event, Live Radio Broadcast at Moonstone Arts Center (formerly Robin's Bookstore) on Wednesday, May 20, from 5-7pm, followed by a performance featuring Nigerian born poet, Bassey Ikpi. Hosted by Al Butler of WURD 900AM.

The rest of the week includes Writers in the Schools, 10am matinees for middle and high school students, Saturday outdoor festival with panel discussions, workshops, family activities, main stage performances, outdoor book fair, vending opportunities and more.

Check it out the website for a complete schedule of events.

See you on May 20 @ the radio broadcast.

Art Sanctuary Staff & Board

Live Radio Broadcast

Wednesday, May 20, 2009 ~ 5-7PM
Robin's at Moonstone Arts Center
110A S. 13th Street, Phila., PA
Sponsored by: Laborers' District Council of the Metropolitan Area of Philadelphia and Vicinity

Art Sanctuary kicks off the 25th Annual Celebration of Black Writing Festival with a special panel discussion broadcast on 900AM WURD. Three Philadelphia leaders will answer the questions how has a book saved a life and how can great writing help our community? Come and be a part of our live radio audience, then stay for a performance by Nigerian-born spoken word artist and HBO Def Poetry alumn Bassey Ikpi. If you can't join us in person, tune into 900AM WURD.

Panelists:

A. Bruce Crawley,President, Millennium 3 Management, Inc.

Michael Days, Editor, Philadelphia Daily News

Irv Randolph, Managing Editor, The Philadelphia Tribune

Lifetime Achievement Award Ceremony
Friday, May 22, 2009 ~ 6:30pm
Admission: $20

Join us at the Church of the Advocate (18th & Diamond Streets) when we honor these distinguished writers: scholar and founder of the University of Pennsylvania's Center for Africana Studies, Dr. Houston A. Baker, Jr., the extraordinary youth adult author, Walter Dean Myers, and children's book illustrator, Jerry Pinkney.

SPECIAL AWARD:
Robert Bogle, President, The Philadelphia Tribune

Under the leadership of Bogle, The Tribune celebrates its 125th anniversary. We in Philadelphia have the unique gift of a great Black newspaper that has been covering issues important to the Black community for 125 years. The Celebration of Black Writing salutes The Philadelphia Tribune for its committed reporting, strong management and unparalleled community engagement.

ENTERTAINMENT:

Internationally acclaimed women's acapella choral and percussion ensemble, Voices of Africa, and a special tribute by poet Sonia Sanchez in memory of author and professor Kristin Lattany.

Indoor/Outdoor Festival

Saturday, May 23, 2009 ~ 11-7p, Free!

Temple University, Main Campus
Broad Street & Cecil B. Moore Ave. to 13th Street

Join us for an exciting outdoor festival! Come meet and purchase books from one of the many authors as you stroll down Cecil B. Moore Avenue. Enjoy exhibits, good food, accessory vendors, live entertainment, and much more. Check out some of the activities that will take place on Saturday:

11:00AM-5:00 PM: FAMILY PAVILION
Bring the whole family for readings by children's authors Eloise Greenfield, Walter Dean Myers, Dr. Lorenzo Pace and Jerry Pinkney. The pavilion will also feature a performance by storyteller Linda Goss, face-painting, a special parenting workshop, and other fun, family-centered activities.

1:30PM: CELEBRATION OF BLACK WRITING POSTER SIGNING
Renowned artist, illustrator and children's book author, Jerry Pinkney will sign your 2009 Celebration of Black Writing poster, which features one of his illustrations from Gary Paulsen's Nightjohn.

11:0AM-3:00PM - WORKSHOPS & PANEL DISCUSSIONS
The Business of Writing - Thembisa Mshaka, Max Rodriguez and Haki R. Madhubuti

Pay Yourself First: A Financial Workshop for Surviving the Economy - Jesse B. Brown

Putting Your Best Words Forward: Writing Effective College Essays - Melissa Rowe

Handling your Entertainment Business - Thembisa Mshaka and Maori Holmes

Something Like Beautiful: Writing about Parenting in the 21st Century - Asha Bandele

3:00-4:00PM:Writing for Our Lives
Featuring lifetime achievement recipients: Dr. Houston A. Baker, Jr., Walter Dean Myers, Jerry Pinkney, 2008 Lifetime recipient Haki R. Madhubuti, and author Dr. Marc Lamont Hill
Join these distinguished writers at this panel and hear them discuss this year's celebration of black writing theme "writing for our lives". Participants will hear how can a book save a life and how can great writing help our community?

Check the website for a complete schedule.