Tulisoma South Dallas Book Fair

Celebrating African American literacy, culture and history, the 21st annual Tulisoma South Dallas Book Fair returns Saturday, Nov. 8, at the African American Museum, Dallas in historic Fair Park. Free and open to the public, the family-friendly fair features readings and book signings by more than 35 African American authors along with workshops, panel discussions, story times and children’s activities throughout the day.

New this year, the weekend kicks off with a youth poetry contest and student writing workshops for more than 100 local middle-school students on Friday, Nov. 7, from 10am–1pm at the museum.

As part of the Tulisoma weekend, Akwete Tyehimbe – owner and CEO of the Pan African Connection Bookstore and Resource Center in Oak Cliff – will receive the Sutton E. Griggs Lifetime Achievement Award in Literature at a reception on Friday, Nov. 7, at 7pm at the African American Museum. Tickets for the reception are $25 and available at aamdallas.org/events.

The fair culminates with a program at 2pm Saturday featuring Dr. Linda Hall Searight, whose new book chronicles her Grammy Award-winning choir, God’s Property.

Tulisoma – a Swahili word that means “we read” – was founded in 2003 by the late Dallas City Councilmember Leo V. Chaney Jr. and Dr. Harry Robinson Jr., founder and former president and CEO of the African American Museum. The event has since grown into a beloved annual tradition that connects readers with Black authors, publishers and storytellers from across the country.

With numerous authors participating, the family-fun event features writing workshops, book signings, author presentations and readings, panel discussions, kids’ activities and more. Workshops will focus on how to get published, writing your own story, and voter suppression. The fair also showcases an incredible range of genres, from children’s books and faith-based works to romance, business and leadership titles, memoirs and historical narratives.

In addition to Dr. Searight, authors scheduled to attend the Saturday fair are Franklin C. Edwards, Gen Z children’s author/poet/entrepreneur; Patricia Gaston, University of Kansas professor of journalism, former Dallas Morning News editor and Pulitzer Prize winner; Dr. Renee Hornbuckle, inspirational author of Suffering in Silence; Brenton Jackson, children’s author; Dr. Courtney Kelley, Gen Z children’s author; and Julie Powell, author of One (Wo)Man, One Vote.

Additional participating authors and publishers include Margaret Atabong, Edward Baker, Heide Beasley, Kathryn Butler, Ronald Carter, Kevin Casey, Shekethia Cash, Tracy Cass, Brynndah Cummings, Ken Daughty, KaChava Denmark, Sheryl Grace, Flora Green, Vera Harris, Shana Jones, Courtney Kelly Books, Evelyn Kelly, Kollin Kennedy, KLX Publishing, Hope LeNoir, Dr. Sherry L. Foots and Felicia Malone.

Find more family fun events every day of the week at dfwchild.com/calendar.