Dreaming in color: Telling our stories to save our lives

For all you wordsmiths, authors, and avid readers out there, the event of the year is back: the Minnesota Black Authors Expo, live and in-person for the first time since COVID. This year’s theme: “Dreaming in Color: Telling Our Stories to Save Our Lives.”

Hat tip to DeVonna Bentley-Pittman (the founder), Dorothy Nins (the current president of MBAE), and the staff, volunteers and supporters who make this event possible and provide the creative space.

As one who first heard of MBAE back in 2020, I have been honored to be a supporter and advocate for this fun, uplifting, and inspiring event. The following is MBAE’s mission statement:

“What began seven years ago, as a shared vison between two Twin Cities women to empower other Black writers in the publishing journey, has become an active LLC with one of the largest gatherings of Black authors and book lovers in the Midwest. The mission of MBAE is to improve literacy and educational outcomes in areas with disproportionate educational disparities. We are committed to supporting authors of color by providing a space where their work can be acknowledged, celebrated, and their incomes stimulated. One of the goals of MBAE is to bring together authors, educators, students, and to encourage everyone to write, read, learn, and grow. Through the support of our sponsors, we provide sacred literary space for people of all ages to embrace the mission and have fun while doing it. MBAE is a clearinghouse for authors of color of every genre and age.”

Come and meet with 40+ local Black authors who will be signing and selling their work, as well as WCCO’s Shayla Michelle and our DJ for the day, Digie. There will be an artist’s stage, sponsored by Hennepin County Libraries. For the kids, we have a Kid’s Corner, with arts and crafts courtesy of Northern Suburban Center for the Arts. Let’s not forget new, as well as established writers; there will be a Writers Bootcamp presented by Aya Media and Publishing.

Trust and believe, you will not go hungry, for there will be food vendors as well as other goodies.

Shout-out to the Loft Literacy Center, In Black Ink, Strive Publishing, TruStone, the Givens Foundation for African American Literature, and St. Paul Public Libraries as sponsors who are committed to the value of this mission and keeping it going.

All of this takes place on Saturday, October 21 at De La Salle High School from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. This event is free and open to the public. For further details, please contact Alyssa Miller at mnblackauthors@gmail.com or (612) 203-5336. That being said, come on out, enjoy, feel the energy, and support the creativity of our authors!