» 2022 Black Ink: A Charleston African American Book Festival from January 13th to 15th (Virtual Program)

December 21, 2021
Programming, News & Notes

Black Ink: A Charleston African American Book Festival is a project of the Charleston Friends of the Library, a nonprofit organization. The purpose of the festival is to support Black authors, especially from South Carolina, by creating a space for them to share their work, discuss their craft, and expose readers of all ages to the great variety of African American authors in the area. Black Ink promotes public awareness of African American contributions to American literature and public conversation. The festival aims for exposure, celebration of writing as a form of art, and the opportunity for authors to network, engage readers, and be recognized as valued members of the literary community. The keynote panel and address will offer inspiration, timely social commentary, and broaden perspectives by bringing together a diverse array of people.

Beverly Jenkins

The keynote speaker for the free virtual festival is award-winning and best-selling romance author Beverly Jenkins. Jenkins is the recipient of the 2017 Romance Writers of America Nora Roberts Lifetime Achievement Award, as well as the 2016 Romantic Times Reviewers’ Choice Award for historical romance. She has been nominated for the NAACP Image Award in Literature, was featured both in the documentary “Love Between the Covers” and on CBS Sunday Morning. Since her debut publication of Night Song in 1994, she has been leading the charge for multicultural romance and has been a constant darling of reviewers, fans, and her peers alike, garnering accolades for her work from the likes of The Wall Street Journal, People Magazine, and NPR.

The Avery Research Center is a proud sponsor of this important event and is leading a session on the role of archives in assisting authors in research and historical fiction.


Register and see the schedule here


See Savannah Frierson, Avery Research Center’s Office Manager and the Black Ink Programming Chair talk about the program here


BUILDING CLOSURES: We will be closed to the public on Friday, May 10th and Monday, May 27th. Building and reading room hours may have closures outside of this period due to private events, contact us in advance for further assistance.

MUSEUM TOURS: The Avery Research Center offers self-guided tours Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 1030AM-12PM and 2PM-330PM. For large groups we ask you limit 25 people or fewer per time slot for self-guided tours. Due to staffing shortages Avery will not be offering guided tours to the general public until further notice.

ARCHIVES: Researchers must have a consultation BEFORE making a research appointment.

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