Colette Harrell Literary Events hosted the first-ever “Juneteenth Bash – Black Authors Spotlight on Heritage – Book Festival,” bringing together nearly fifty local authors and a vibrant community of readers.
This free event took place at the Columbus Metropolitan Library’s MLK Branch, blending the power of storytelling with cultural heritage.
The festival featured nearly fifty local authors – a diverse array of genres, allowing authors to connect with readers on various levels.
Author and writing coach Nicole Horston expressed her excitement, saying, “Meeting the people has been awesome. So many have come out to support and celebrate Juneteenth. It’s very important, as well as getting some money from books. Today’s been a long day with community activities for the whole family.”
Zayla Jackson was one of the local authors at the event. She has written 8 books following the adventures of a stuffed monkey named “Reya” such as “Reya Visits the Farm” and “Reya’s First Day of School”.
The ‘Reya’s Adventures in Toyland’ series aims to inspire young readers through Reya’s imaginative journeys.
Colette Harrell, the organizer of the event, curated a lively atmosphere with music, food, health screenings, and giveaways.
Harrell emphasized the event’s mission to promote literacy and support local artists. “People need to support local authors because we are the ones writing your stories. We have such commonality and we want to bring the money here in the community. Encouraging artists is vital so that we continue to have those right here at home,” she stated.
The Juneteenth Bash not only highlighted the significance of Juneteenth but also underscored the importance of local literary contributions, making it a memorable day for all attendees.
