Including Oti Mabuse, Clive Myrie, Gary Younge, Kelechi Okafor, Fats Timbo, Eric Collins
Black British Book Festival: Friday 27 – Saturday 28 October 2023
- Leigh-Anne Pinnock, renowned singer and songwriter, unveils her intimate memoir titled “Believe”, delving into her remarkable journey within Little Mix, while skillfully navigating the realms of fame, love, and self-acceptance.
- Oti Mabuse, star of Strictly Come Dancing, ignites a passion for dance in young children.
- Dawn Butler, Clive Myrie and Gary Younge get personal about their careers at Unmasking Brilliance: Black British Voices in Media
- Social media star and author Fats Timbo hosts A #BlackBookTok Masterclass.
- Investor, Obama advisor and TV personality Eric Collins shares personal journey
- A group of 30 remarkable Black British authors including Joseph Coelho, Derek Owusu and Jackie Kay will embark on a transformative summer book tour from August to October.
The Black British Book Festival, Europe’s premier celebration of Black literature, returns for its highly anticipated third edition on October 27th and 28th, 2023. Founded in 2021 by visionary Selina Brown, the festival aims to break down barriers for Black British writers and provide an influential platform for emerging talent. This two-day family event has rapidly grown into a national sensation, attracting over 4,000 enthusiastic attendees who come to revel in the rich tapestry of Black British authors across all genres.
Building upon the resounding success of its previous editions, the Black British Book Festival proudly announces its partnership with the esteemed Southbank Centre in London as the host venue for this year’s event. This collaboration is a testament to the festival’s growing prominence and its profound impact on the literary landscape. The festivals headline sponsors are Pan Macmillan and Audible, alongside renowned publishers like Hachette, Simon Schuster, Penguin, and Sage. They are joined by a range of brands and media partners including The Booker Prize, Bookseller, Pizza Express, National Express, Black Ballad, Hearst Group, Waterstones, and Bookseller. The festival promises to deliver an extraordinary showcase of the UK’s best Black authors, alongside leading content creators, influencers, and journalists.
Internationally renowned musician Leigh-Anne Pinnock will exclusively launch her book, “Believe” on the 27th Oct, adding star power to the festival. The main festival will feature headline authors Clive Myrie, Oti Mabuse, Gary Younge, and Candice Braithwaite, who will share their experiences and insights with attendees, further enhancing the exceptional lineup of literary talent.
Ted Hodgkinson, Head of Literature & Spoken Word at the Southbank Centre, says: ‘We’re excited to be partnering with the Black British Book Festival who for the first time will bring their vibrant annual day-long festival to the London Literature Festival, building on a successful first two years in Birmingham with their biggest and most ambitious programme so far. It’s a partnership rooted in shared values and a belief in the power of books and festivals to bring people of all ages together and continues our ongoing commitment at the Southbank Centre to platforming a diverse range of voices. The passion and purpose of Selina Brown and her team is simply inspiring; it has been a pleasure working with them on realising their vision for the festival and I can’t wait to see how it resonates with our audiences, from returning visitors to those coming through our doors for the first time.’
As part of its commitment to making literature accessible to all, the Black British Book Festival is embarking on a ground-breaking initiative. A group of 30 remarkable Black British authors including Joseph Coelho, Derek Owusu and Jackie Kay will embark on a transformative summer book tour from August to October, spanning the length and breadth of the UK. These vibrant literary pop-up events will be held in unconventional spaces such as chicken shops, hairdressers, sportswear shops, and shopping centers, venturing into communities historically underserved by the publishing industry. The festival aims to democratise literature, bringing the joy of reading to individuals who may not have had previous opportunities to engage with books.
Joanna Prior, CEO of Pan Macmillan, expresses her delight in being the headline sponsor of the Black British Book Festival, stating, “I am delighted that once again Pan Macmillan is the headline sponsor of the Black British Book Festival. We have established a successful partnership with Selina and the team, and our work is ambitious and collaborative. Pan Macmillan is determined to ensure publishing is an increasingly inclusive industry. I would like to thank Selina and the BBBF for their generous collaboration. We are hugely looking forward to the Festival’s program of superb events and discussions over the next three months.”
“The Black British Book Festival represents an innovative and inspiring movement within the publishing industry,” said Selina Brown, the visionary founder behind this ground breaking event. “We believe in fostering diversity and inclusivity, championing emerging talent, and reaching marginalised communities. Our partnership with London Southbank Centre and the incredible support from renowned publishers demonstrates the growing recognition of our mission. We are proud to make a lasting impact on the literary landscape, empowering voices and transforming lives.”
Tracey Markham, Audible Head of UK and Canada, said: “We are delighted to be one of the headline sponsors of this year’s Black British Book Festival, which celebrates the many incredible Black British authors writing today, as well as helping authors of the future. Audible is committed to supporting underrepresented new talent in publishing.”
The Black British Book Festival continues to pave the way for a more inclusive literary world, challenging traditional norms, and celebrating the richness of Black British literature. With its unwavering commitment to emerging talent and its determination to engage with marginalised communities, the festival stands as a beacon of change and inspiration. Selina and her passionate team are dedicated to revolutionising the literary landscape, providing a platform for underrepresented voices, and ensuring that Black British literature continues to flourish.
Leigh-Anne Pinnock Tickets go on sale to the general public 7th July 2023 all other tickets are on sale Friday 30th June 2023. www.southbankcentre.co.uk/ 0203 879 9555
For more information about the Black British Book Festival and the Black British Festival Book Tour and to stay up to date with the latest announcements, please visit www.blackbritishbookfestival.com.
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1 Comment
The beautiful African-heritage comedian Mr Chris Rock accurately: correctly, and famously joked in 1996, that books are like kryptonite for African-heritage people.
Mr Rock proceeded by saying if you want to hide something from African-heritage people, “put it in a book, because black people do not read.”
African-heritage people in the United States and England, simply have made fashionable a culture of being ignorant, and shunning all forms of reading, and acquiring knowledge, and all forms of professionalism behaviour, speech, and public conduct.
My extended association of African, and African-Caribbean people, most will not read ANYTHING; excepting the Bible and the Koran occasionally.
There is no culture of reading, writing and engaging critically from His Majesty’s African, and African-Caribbean heritage English Subjects.
This is the chief reason why African-heritage people are politically irrelevant: and used and abused by the Political Left, in England, and America today.
I have asked my teenaged African-Caribbean heritage relatives to name any classic book of children’s literature; name their favourite author, and describe any of the books they have enjoyed reading.
I am always disappointed by their response-or more accurately lack of response.
All these successful African-heritage English authors must acknowledge their books will mostly be purchased: read and discussed by Caucasian English people; in far greater numbers, and with far greater enthusiasm, than they will receive from England’s African-heritage residents: even though the African-heritage authors write well about the life, and life experience of England’s African-heritage Subjects.