B. Lit Black Literature Festival Saturday, February 23, 2019

B. Lit Doesn’t Quit

Neither rain nor darkness nor insufficient signage nor inconveniently located (for easy transport of one’s event materials) kept the B. Lit Black Literature Festival organizers, participants, supporters or vendors from being inspired, entertained, and enlightened at Goucher College last Saturday night! A spirit of openheartedness and camaraderie permeated the venue and that inviting feeling deepened throughout the night as talented poets and musicians performed with compelling artistry and emotional gravitas.

Vendors Paparazzi, and a blinged-out accessories artisan (whose sister saved me from a daunting hike from the visitors’ parking area to the venue), Olivia L. Baylor of Before “I Do” counseling resources, the Jesus Gang (who also rapped like superstars), and Urban Unicorn all offered an irresistible variety of merchandise along with encouragement and networking opportunities.

Thank you to the American University grad student who interviewed everyone and recorded (most of?) this B. Lit event.

Much love and gratitude to Kenneth, the event founder and organizer whose vision and tenacity have generated an essential platform for artistic expression, exposure, amplification, recognition, and appreciation for the multifaceted complexity of Black Culture. Kenneth said that the challenging circumstances on Saturday night reminded him about inheriting from our enslaved and discriminated against ancestors the legacy of overcoming obstacles in order to thrive. He said being reminded of that inheritance during an event held in honor of Black History Month seemed appropriate. Agreed.

Thank you to Goucher College for providing the venue on their charming campus.

Special thanks to the students who played Tic Tac Trope, then invited me to participate in their upcoming event on Sunday, April 28, 2019. (More details to come.) So generous!

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! To everyone who played a round or two of Tic Tac Trope, you made the game more fun!

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