Author Signing Celebrations
Celebrated Authors
May 15, 2025 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
8 Cities 8 Days Black Bookstore Tour
Victoria Christopher Murray
Victoria is a New York Times bestselling author of more than thirty novels, including The Personal Librarian, a Good Morning America book club pick, and The First Ladies, Target's 2023 Book of the Year, both of which she coauthored with Marie Benedict. She is a NAACP Image Award Winner for Outstanding Literary Work for her novel Stand Your Ground, which was also a Library Journal Best Book of the Year. She holds an MBA from the NYU Stern School of Business.
Harlem Rhapsody "In 1919, as civil and social unrest grips the country, there is a little corner of America, a place called Harlem where something special is stirring. Here, the New Negro is rising and Black pride is evident everywhere...in music, theatre, fashion and the arts. And there on stage in the center of this renaissance is Jessie Redmon Fauset, the new literary editor of the preeminent Negro magazine The Crisis. W.E.B. Du Bois, the founder and editor of The Crisis, has charged her with discovering young writers whose words will change the world. Jessie attacks the challenge with fervor, quickly finding sixteen-year-old Countee Cullen, seventeen-year-old Langston Hughes, and Nella Larsen, who becomes one of her best friends. Under Jessie's leadership, The Crisis thrives, the writers become notable and magazine subscriptions soar. Every Negro writer in the country wants their work published in the magazine now known for its groundbreaking poetry and short stories. Jessie's rising star is shining bright....but her relationship with W.E.B. could jeopardize all that she's built. The man, considered by most to be the leader of Black America, is not only Jessie's boss, he's her lover. And neither his wife, nor their fourteen-year-age difference can keep the two apart. Their torrid and tumultuous affair is complicated by a secret desire that Jessie harbors - to someday, herself, become the editor of the magazine, a position that only W.E.B. Du Bois has held. In the face of overwhelming sexism and racism, Jessie must balance her drive with her desires. However, as she strives to preserve her legacy, she'll discover the high cost of her unparalleled success."
Harlem Rhapsody Review Quotes:
"If you like to learn something while lost in a gripping narrative, don't miss this historical fiction about the woman who kicked off the Harlem Renaissance."
-- People
"A page turner and history lesson at once, Harlem Rhapsody reminds us that our stories are our generational wealth-- this book and the real lives that inspired it."-- Tayari Jones, New York Times bestselling author of An American Marriage (Oprah's Book Club)
"A page turner and history lesson at once, Harlem Rhapsody reminds us that our stories are our generational wealth-- this book and the real lives that inspired it."-- Tayari Jones, New York Times bestselling author of An American Marriage (Oprah's Book Club)
ReShonda Tate
ReShonda is a national bestselling author and award-winning journalist, with the credentials and passion, to bring stories to life. A highly sought-after motivational speaker/poet, ReShonda is a three-time nominee and previous winner of the NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Literature. She has received a plethora of distinguished awards and honors for her journalism, fiction, and poetry writing skills, including an induction into the Arkansas Black Hall of Fame and the Texas Literary Hall of Fame. Two of her novels have been made into television movies.
The Queen Of Sugar Hill
"It was supposed to be the highlight of her career, the pinnacle for which she'd worked all her life. And as Hattie McDaniel took the stage in 1940 to claim an honor that would make her the first African-American woman to win an Academy Award, she tearfully took her place in history. Between personal triumphs and tragedies, heartbreaking losses, and severe setbacks, this historic night of winning best supporting actress for her role as the sassy Mammy in the controversial movie Gone With the Wind was going to be life-changing. Or so she thought. Months after winning the award, not only did the Oscar curse set in where Hattie couldn't find work, but she found herself thrust in the middle of two worlds--Black and White--and not being welcomed in either"--
Queen of Sugar Hill Review Quotes: "The Queen of Sugar Hill doesn't magnify the "mammy" caricature that McDaniel was known for, it beautifully showcases her highs and lows within the industry, and highlights her friendships with both Black and White people in Hollywood. There are strong themes of resilience, perseverance, and overcoming within this book, and it also sheds light on old Hollywood." -- Essence
In bringing to life the inimitable Hattie against the backdrop of her segregated times, The Queen of Sugar Hill introduces readers to the important, inspiring, heart-wrenching story of the legendary actress whose legacy deserve to be fully understood and celebrated." -- Marie Benedict, New York Times bestselling author of The First Ladies and The Personal Librarian
Queen of Sugar Hill Review Quotes: "The Queen of Sugar Hill doesn't magnify the "mammy" caricature that McDaniel was known for, it beautifully showcases her highs and lows within the industry, and highlights her friendships with both Black and White people in Hollywood. There are strong themes of resilience, perseverance, and overcoming within this book, and it also sheds light on old Hollywood." -- Essence
In bringing to life the inimitable Hattie against the backdrop of her segregated times, The Queen of Sugar Hill introduces readers to the important, inspiring, heart-wrenching story of the legendary actress whose legacy deserve to be fully understood and celebrated." -- Marie Benedict, New York Times bestselling author of The First Ladies and The Personal Librarian
Authors Discussion
VIP Guests
6:00 pm - 6:45 pm
Please arrive by 5:45 pm. The doors will be closed by 6:05 pm for this discussion.
Book purchase is required by each guest upon entry
Book Signing and Celebration
7:00 pm - 8:00 pm
The doors will be opened at 7:00 pm for the book signing and the mix and mingle with the authors.
Book purchase is required by each guest upon entry
UPCOMING CELEBRATIONS
Celebrated Author - Rasheda Randle
May 10, 2025 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm
Letters to My Loved One
is your guide through the waves of loss, offering a gentle space to express sentiments that often prove difficult to put into words.
Through the timeless art of letter-writing, and with prompts that encourage reflection, personal insights, and moments of peace and stillness, this journal becomes your companion through the various steps of healing. Whether you've experienced recent loss or are still carrying the weight of grief from years past, this journal is designed to help you find release, clarity, and solace in your own time, while discovering that healing is not linear but can be beautifully transformative with each page you fill.
Let this be the space where your grief is seen, your heart is heard, and your hope is slowly reborn.
PAST CELEBRATIONS
Celebrated Author - Cher Terais
April 12th, 2025 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm
Tempest in Tulum
Venture into the shadows of Atlanta's elite. Behind the grandeur of architectural wonders, Delia McGee-Aguillen harbors a secret life; one that juxtaposes the elegance of Atlanta's high society with the adrenaline-pumping underworld of mixed martial arts. A traumatic past event both shatters her architectural dreams and fuels her need to defend.
Then, Okiyo Bambdi storms into her life - a former MI-6 agent who’s seen it all yet is drawn to the storm Delia brings. As the passion intensifies, they find themselves ensnared in a dance of danger, desire, and secrets.
In 'Tempest in Tulum', love isn’t just about falling; it’s about rediscovering oneself amidst the chaos.
Then, Okiyo Bambdi storms into her life - a former MI-6 agent who’s seen it all yet is drawn to the storm Delia brings. As the passion intensifies, they find themselves ensnared in a dance of danger, desire, and secrets.
In 'Tempest in Tulum', love isn’t just about falling; it’s about rediscovering oneself amidst the chaos.
Cher Terais is an acclaimed author known for her captivating love stories set in exotic destinations worldwide. She beautifully explores the complexities of Black love, blending rich cultural experiences with heartfelt romance. Her debut novel, Bali Blue, immerses readers in Bali’s lush landscapes, while Mess on the Mara intertwines modern dating with Kenya’s breathtaking savannahs.
With upcoming novels set in Mexico, Paris, Turkey, and Fiji, Cher’s passion for travel fuels her storytelling. A former Army service member and Program Manager in the Middle East, her global experiences bring authenticity to her work.
Originally from Warner Robins, Georgia, she has traveled across Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, and Europe, crafting immersive, culturally rich narratives. As a proud mother and grandmother, she embraces adventure in both life and writing. A true voice in Wanderlust Romance, Cher’s stories celebrate love, self-discovery, and the transformative power of travel.
Celebrated Author - Toyin Falusi Nwafor, MD
April 5th, 2025 4:00 pm - 5:30 pm
The Decade After - Thriving After Divorce
After nine years of marriage, Toyin M. Falusi, MD, a specialist in infectious diseases, found herself divorced and raising two young children. It was a trying, stressful time, but rather than accept the hackneyed stereotype of the miserable and overwrought single mom, Falusi chose to embrace her new existence.
Twelve years later, she’s still leading a happy, successful life. In The Decade After: Surviving Thriving after Divorce, she shares what she’s learned along the way.
While this is not a self-help manual, much inside will resonate with recently divorced women. It is also not exactly an advice book, although Falusi does offer tips and tactics to help you adjust to life after marriage breakdown and separation. Rather, this is an informal, often funny conversation, with Falusi expounding on such topics as raising well-adjusted kids, working with—not against—your ex-spouse, building a support system, and taking care of yourself.
Life does not end after divorce, nor does it have to plunge into stress, loneliness, and despair. Take it from Falusi—twelve years later, she’s still going strong. While she remains willing to entertain the possibility of a new serious relationship, she’s quite happy as she is—self-reliant, successful, and fulfilled!
Twelve years later, she’s still leading a happy, successful life. In The Decade After: Surviving Thriving after Divorce, she shares what she’s learned along the way.
While this is not a self-help manual, much inside will resonate with recently divorced women. It is also not exactly an advice book, although Falusi does offer tips and tactics to help you adjust to life after marriage breakdown and separation. Rather, this is an informal, often funny conversation, with Falusi expounding on such topics as raising well-adjusted kids, working with—not against—your ex-spouse, building a support system, and taking care of yourself.
Life does not end after divorce, nor does it have to plunge into stress, loneliness, and despair. Take it from Falusi—twelve years later, she’s still going strong. While she remains willing to entertain the possibility of a new serious relationship, she’s quite happy as she is—self-reliant, successful, and fulfilled!
Celebrated Author - Methany Thornton
March 29th, 2025 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm
I Just Want To Be Her: A Memoir of Life, Lessons, and Longing
In I Want to Be Her: A Memoir of Life, Lessons, and Longing, Methany Thornton invites you into a rich tapestry of humor, heartache, and hope. Through raw honesty and unflinching self-reflection, she shares the story of a life marked by resilience, faith, and transformation. From raising her grandchildren—each a living reminder of life’s unexpected joys and challenges—to uncovering the truth about her biological father, Methany’s journey is as complex as it is inspiring. Whether navigating family chaos, laughing through the absurdity of everyday life, or wrestling with her insecurities, Methany writes with warmth, wit, and authenticity.
Celebrated Author - LaTisha Corley
March 30th, 2025 3:00 pm - 4:30 pm
Surviving Your First Year As A Childcare Boss
Gain essential knowledge and guidance for your first year as a childcare boss with this comprehensive guide, tailored for prospective directors and owners.
Celebrated Authors - Autumn Kendall & Aurora Morgan
March 8th, 2025 4:00 pm - 5:30 pm
Teenagers Aurora Morgan and Autumn Kendall author signing celebration is for their children’s book that sheds light on historical events, featuring characters inspired by civil rights leaders, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Malcolm X, and Chairman Fred Hampton.
The author signing event will feature live readings of selected excerpts, engaging conversations, and opportunities for attendees to meet the authors and purchase signed copies of their book.
Celebrated Author - Margaret Jenkins McCants
February 22nd, 2025 5:00 pm - 6:30 pm
Get ready to dance and groove at this author signing celebration. This book is a must-read for all music lovers, bringing together a celebration of the diverse and enchanting world of music. Writing through her challenging journey with cancer, Margaret chose to give a tribute to the incredible impact and influence that music has on our lives, and showcases a testament to its enduring power to inspire and uplift us.
Through engaging conversations, live readings of selected excerpts, and opportunities to connect with the author, this book signing event is a chance for readers to delve deeper into the magic of music and its profound impact on society.
Whether you have listened to or danced to a variety of music from all around the world, or simply want to discover new songs and artists, this book and celebration will take you on a journey through memory lane, filled with nostalgic tunes and boundless joy.
Celebrated Author - Melanie Collins
May 2025 - Date TBD
Stuffing My Bra tells the relatable Gen-X coming-of-age story of a woman who navigates the precarious societal constructs of womanhood, only to find herself faced with deconstructing them to save her own life. The author bares it all as she recounts her harrowing and deeply personal journey to sidestep breast cancer, and the challenges and choices that made her a survivor.
Melanie resides in Milton, Georgia with her British expat husband, their three boys, a German Shepherd, and four cats. She plans to continue writing and painting, and eventually open a cat café and coworking space supporting animal shelters and spay/neuter programs.