The theme for the 4th annual Tampa Bay Black Authors Expo will be “Keeping Black LitAlive,” honoring the memory of city council member Gwendolyn Henderson. Henderson, who also owned Black English Bookstore, died in June.
The theme also speaks to the expo’s position on pressures Black independent authors face in Florida’s political climate.
“We are still keeping our mission of celebrating and supporting Black independent authors alive in the midst of growing pressures from censorship and book bans, the influence of social media, the dizzying pace of AI technology, and the slashing of funding for the arts and humanities,” the event description says.
Hillsborough poet Troy R. Legett, author of “The Objective Scholar” and “Social Climax,” will give a reading. Tampa visual artist Distinctly Bella will showcase her work honoring the traditions of her Caribbean and African heritage.
Riverview Bakery Royalist Sweets will serve custom cakes and cupcakes for those in need of a sweet treat.
Adults’ and children’s books from Expo authors will be raffled off.
For more information, follow Tampa Bay Black Authors Expo on Facebook.
There is no cover for Tampa Bay Black Authors Expo happening Saturday, Sept.20 in Tampa.
4th Annual Tampa Bay Black Authors Expo
Time Sat., Sept. 20, 12-4 p.m. 2025
Location Tampa Heights Junior Civic Association Community Center, 2005 N. Lamar Avenue, Tampa
Description The Tampa Bay Black Authors Expo is returning for our 4th year and this year we’re back at the beautiful Tampa Heights Junior Civic Association Event Venue located at 2005 N. Lamar Ave in Tampa, FL! Our theme for this year’s event is “Keeping Black Lit Alive”. Our first expo was in 2019. We are now in 2025 and looking forward to our fourth expo. We are still keeping our mission of celebrating and supporting Black independent authors alive.
