Always Best Care & The Philly African American Book Festival

On Saturday I attended the 24th annual African American Book Festival in Philadelphia. It is one of my favorite events of the year because I get to celebrate with many of the brightest in African American children’s book literature. I also get to meet many of my facebook friends and followers who come up for the event. … Read more

BookCon, Writers Hall of Fame, and me

What a week! Since my semester ended, I have been busier than ever outside of my studio. I’m itching to get back to work. On Sunday I attended my first BookCon where I spoke on a panel with Cheryl Willis-Hudson, Rita WIlliams-Garcia, and Jerdine Nolen. The panel was moderated by Vanesse Lloyd-Sgambatti. Our topic was … Read more

White Water on TVOne

White Water on TVOne Check out White Water’s screen adaptation this Saturday, FEBRUARY 7th (and throughout February) on TVOne at 8PM. Starring Larenz Tate, Sharon Leal and introducing twins Amari and Amir O’Neil, White Water is the imaginative tale of Michael, a seven-year-old black child in the summer of 1963 who becomes obsessed with the desire … Read more

Hot in Harlem

What a weekend. Friday afternoon I traveled to NYC to attend the Phillis Wheatley Award ceremony. I met up with my wonderful friend and fellow illustrator, Taeeun Yoo earlier in the day for a great lunch at Cho Dang Gol of Stone Bowl Bibimbap and Dak Galbi. Next we took the 1 train to 125th … Read more

Root Branch Film Academy covers R. F. Lewis Fair

I was asked to talk about my experience with the Reginald Lewis Museum Book Fair this week, and thought I would share my thoughts here on the blog: As a new resident here in Baltimore, I have been looking for ways to integrate myself within my community. Participating in the Lewis Museum’s African American Book … Read more

Reginald F. Lewis Museum Book Fair

Yesterday I attended the Reginald F. Lewis Museum’s first African American Book Fair! It was a fantastic event with a great turnout. I am hoping that the museum will continue the fair each year and bring in more and more booklovers! The highlight of my day was seeing book friends like James and Lesa Cline … Read more

Being a girl…or a boy

Yesterday at the Baltimore Book Festival, Derrick Barnes shared his series, Ruby and the Booker Boys and an excerpt from his YA novel, We Could Be Brothers. I met Derrick a few times at the African American Book Festival in Philly but had never heard him speak or read his work aloud. He shared his … Read more

Brooklyn Book Festival

Yesterday I took a day trip to NYC for the Brooklyn Book Festival. Taking place annually each fall, the Brooklyn Book Festival hosts over 280 authors. I was honored to be invited and spent some time reading and drawing with children at the Target Children’s Tent. It was a perfect fall day. Many thanks to … Read more