We are just days away! #BlackReadersCon is going down. We are so excited!! What is Black Readers Con? Mocha Girls Read is celebrating 10 years this month and we wanted to do a cruise with all the Black Readers and all the book clubs. But COVID hit and that plan was quickly canceled. Once the plan was canceled we called our brothers at Black Men Read and the idea of Black Readers Con was birthed.
Purpose
The purpose of Black Readers Con is to enhance and amplify the voices of Black Readers and the Book Clubs they love.
Mission
The mission is to empower and convene a community of Black Readers (book clubs, bloggers, podcasters, BookTubers, and Bookstagrammers, etc) through various avenues of literature, social events, and community service.
Friday Night VIP Pre-Party Session and Activities (Oct. 29)
-Audio Addiction moderated by Danielle Amos (@daniereads) with Elle Cleviden (@elleclevidenreads), Leon Nixon (@leononixon), Wesleigh Siobhan (@wesleigh_siobhan), and Winston James (@winston_james_1)
-Scavenger Hunt hosted by Stephanie Burnham
-Keynote: Embracing Our Sexuality moderated by Sharonda Isadora (@sharonda_isadora). Keynote speakers: Danielle Allen (@authordanielleallen) and Alexandria House (@msalexhouse)
-Cocktail Hour
Saturday, Oct. 30- Adult Day Sessions & Activities
Black to the Future: moderated by Didi Borie (@browngirlreading) Panelists include: Christina Marie (@lcmarie19), Bree Hill (@falling4romance), and Peta-Gay Allen (@comfycozyup).
#LiteraryWineDown (pre-recorded): a session moderated by Jamise Harper (@spinesvines) in conversation with Dr. Eddie Glaude Jr.
You Don’t Sound Black: moderated by Isis Asare (@sistahscifi) panelists include: Gabourey Sidibe (@gabby3shabby) and the narrators Leon Nixon (@leononixon) and Mari (@janinaspeaksvolumes)
Romance in Black: moderated by Dani Lacey and Mollie Cerros from the Black Chick Lit podcast (@bclpodcast) panelists include: DL White (@author_dlwhite), Tasha Harrison (@tashalharrison), Katrina Jackson (@katjacksonbooks), and Vanessa Riley (@vanessarileyauthor)
Keynote: Black Love, Keynote speaker: Beverly Jenkins moderated by Dr. Dianne Stewart (@diannemstewartphd)
Take It To Church (pre-recorded): Alysia Allen (@mochagirlsread) will be in conversation with Deesha Philyaw (@deeshaphilyaw)
Master Class: Kat Trinidad (@booksenvogue) and Brandon Butts (@b_rad.books) will give a Master Class on book creativity for social media
Reading While Black: Traci Thomas (@thestackspod) will moderate a discussion with the authors: Kiese Laymon (@kieselaymon) and Dr. Daniel Black (@drdanielblack)
Up in the Club: Reggie Bailey (@reggiereads) will moderate a discussion with Alysia Allen (@mochagirlsread) and Demetrius Frazier (@blackmenreadnow)
Networking Session at the end of the day
Sunday, Oct. 31- Young Adult Day Sessions & Activities
Jonathan Pope (@beblackbeloved) will be moderating a discussion with the author Kalynn Bayron (@kalynnbayron) titled “We Are Unapologetic!”.
Demetrius Frazier (@blackmenreadnow) will be moderating a discussion with
Jarred Amato (@jarredamato25) titled “We Are Powerful!”.
Kiese Laymon (@kieselaymon) will be moderating a discussion titled “We Are Amazing!” with the authors David Crownson (@dcrownson) and Bethany C.
Morrow (@bcmorrow).
Kenya Malcolm (@reviewsmayvary) will be moderating a panel titled “We Are Love!” with the authors Xio Axelrod (@xioaxelrod) and Sharon Flake (@flakesharon).
Mika Rasheed (@thereadingroom444) will be moderating a discussion titled
“We Are Joy!” with the authors Tami Charles (@tamiwrites), Lamar Giles (@lamargiles), and Malik-16.
Damien Jackson (@djreadsbooks) will be moderating a panel titled “We Are Black!” with authors Dr. Martina McGowan (@martinamcgowan), Michelle Coles (@michellecolesauthor), and book influencer Latesha Dejean (@bookishgirlmagic).
Keynote: A Conversation with Kwame Alexander and Jerry Craft (@kwamealexander@jerrycraft).
Kelly Lycurgus (@kellzisbookedup) will be moderating a discussion titled
“We Are Here!” with the authors Christina Hammonds Reed (@christinahammondsreed) and J. Elle (@authorjelle).
Angela Anderson (@angelaandersonpresents) will be moderating a panel titled “We Are the Revolution!” with the authors Kimberly Latrice Jones
(@kimberlylatricejones), Gilly Segal (@really.gilly), Kim Johnson (@kcjohnsonwrites) and Brendan Kiely (@brendankiely).
Costume Contest judged by @booksenvogue
We look forward to seeing you there!
Mocha Girl Alysia
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