UPTOWNflavor

Ed. Note: It is hard to believe that the Harlem Book Fair will be celebrating 10 years. I remember the first couple of years when it was still on 125th Street and authors lined the Plaza with their wares while panels occupied the State Building’s conference rooms and Plaza. At that time there was still variety in the genre of books sold at the fair.

Over the past 10 years, we have witnessed the soaring popularity of Black Erotica and what is dubbed “Street Lit.” While it is important to hear the “voice of the streets” and those who haven’t always had access to the publishing world, it is my hope that the organizers of this event have taken heed to the comments and observations of educated readers (who don’t want to read cussin’ in every other line) and have come to realize that there needs to more representation of all genres at the fair.

We have fabulous authors and poets in our community, yet many of them are not present and accountable at the book fair. This year is a year of change and we have a chance to make positive changes in our outlook and perspective. That starts by picking up a good book and really internalizing the author’s intent and message. For information on this year’s Book Fair, read below.

-D. Bell

On Friday July 18th, 2008 The Harlem Book Fair will usher in its 10th Anniversary by honoring key figures in African and African American Literature. The Schomburg Center for Black Research will host the annual Wheatley Book Awards Program and Dinner. This year’s honorees are Haki Madhubuti (Third World Press); W. Paul Coates (Black Classic Press); Kassahun Checole (Africa World Press); Cheryl Willis Hudson and Wade Hudson (Just Us Books); and Tony Rose (Amber Communications Group).

Created by HBF founder Max Rodriguez, the Wheatley Book Awards recognizes literary achievement that transcends culture, boundary, and perception. Past honorees include Maya Angelou, Chinua Achebe, Sonia Sanchez, Walter Mosley, Octavia Butler, Ishmael Reed, John A. Williams, Walter Dean Myers, and other notable authors.

The awards foreshadow an expansion to honor more writers in various categories from African and the African Diaspora experience. Max Rodriguez says of the possibility, “Through this year’s honorees, we acknowledge the diversity of our reading public. Next, we will embrace those writers and publishers who contribute to our awareness as a global community.”

The Wheatley Book Awards Program and Dinner will be held on Friday, July 18, 2008, at the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, 515 Malcolm X Boulevard in Harlem, New York, with a reception starting at 6:00pm followed by the awards program and dinner. The dress is black tie/evening formal. The red carpet opens at 5:30pm. The public and all media are invited to the reception and awards program.

The Wheatley Book Awards serve as the perfect inauguration of the Harlem Book Fair’s historic 10th year anniversary. The highly celebrated Harlem Book Fair takes place on Saturday, July 19th, 2008, following the Wheatley Awards evening gala. As the largest annual nationally televised African American book fair (C-Span’s BookTV), this year’s 10th anniversary promises to be extraordinary. As with past HBF celebrations, the Harlem Book Fair will expand its tradition of showcasing the most talented and gifted authors while featuring inspiring and informative panel discussions, author readings, workshops, and performance events. All publishers and authors are encouraged to exhibit at this year’s Fair. All events are free to the public.

Congresssman Charles B. Rangel, Chairman of the U. S. House Ways and Means Committee, said of his participation in the Harlem Book Fair, “the discussions and expressions shared were poignant and enlightening, and I am truly grateful to have been part of something special. Please continue to count on my support and advocacy as we work together to promote literacy and education in Harlem and throughout the nation.”

Howard Dodson, Chief of Harlem’s renowned Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture declares “the Harlem Book Fair is an event that has become a major force in the cultural life of the Harlem community.”

Please confirm your participation via email (rsvp@qbr.com) or contact Tiffany Newton at 212-348-1681 for reservations and additional information about the Wheatley Awards or the 10th anniversary Harlem Book Fair, please contact Tiffany Newton at 212-348-1681 or visit www.qbr.com.

via: Black Star News

Contributed by Narmer/edited by D. Bell