Harlem Book Fair Saturday, July 24, 2004 - 40,000
Will Attend Largest Event for Black Authors
and Book Lovers In The Country!

New York is First Stop in National Tour -Freeport LI.,
San Diego Cal., Phoenix AR, Oakland Cal. and Cleveland Ohio

(AFRICAN AMERICAN NEWSWIRE)New York City, NY June 28, 2004, More than 40,000 attendees and over 150 African American Authors are expected to convene in Harlem on Saturday, July 24, 2004, from 12 Noon to 7:00pm at the 6th annual Harlem Book Fair.

Participants confirmed by QBR to date include: Wheatley Book Award Recipients Maya Angelou, Terry McMillan, Chinua Achebe, Maryse Conde, Yusef Komanyakaa, Comedian Paul Mooney will perform, and the audience can also meet and greet authors and presenters: Max Rodriguez, Publisher QBR, The Black Book Review, J.L.King, Spike Lee, Sonia Sanchez, Ossie Davis, Andria Hall of the Hallmark Network(America At Worship), Hugh Masekela, Zane, Jawanza Kunjufu - Publisher African American Images, Patrick Henry Bass - Book Editor for Essence Magazine, Rev. James Forbes of Riverside Church, Michael Eric Dyson, Haki Madhubuti -Publisher Third World Press, Derrick Bell, Michael Baisden, Dr. Rev. Arlene Churn, Jaccquelin Thomas, Jill Nelson, Journalist Juan Williams, Craig Seymour, Rebecca Carrol, Omar Tyree, Rev. Dennis Dillon -Publisher of the New Christian Times, Manning Marable, Vickie Stringer, Dr. Rovenia Brock, Dr. Andrea Sullivan, Hilton Hudson, Bell Hooks, Ray Winbush, Ilyasah Shabazz, Susan Fales-Hill, Jacqui Kess-Gardner, Brenda Thomas, Marcela Smith, Earl Cox of Earl Cox and Associates, Nancey Flowers, Malaika Adero of Atria Books, Lucille McEwen - of the Harlem Community Congregations, Brook Stephens, Lisa Price, Deborah Cowell of the QBR, The Black Book Review, Colin Channer, Christopher John Farley, Kayo Bruce George, Robin Stone, Denise Campbell, Margie Gosa Shivers, Adam McKibble, Luisa Sanchez, Colin Channer, Quincy Troupe, Journalist Carol Jenkins, Stephanie Oliver Stokes, Synthia St. James, Jenyne Raine, Kurt Boone, George Wein ,Victor Woods, Brenda L. Thomas, Lamarr Bruce, Carol Taylor, Janine and Tom Fondon, Jolynn Jossel, Nikki Turner, Heather Covington -Publisher, Disilgold.com, Darren Coleman, Earl Sewell, Adrian Council - Publisher of the Positive Community, Sharon Benjamin, Laura Daye, Lynnette Khalfani, Lois Center Shabazz, Pamela Osbey, Ramona Candy, Lady Tania Michael, Nina Foxx, Adam Mckibble, Catherine Ingram, Tia Wiliams, Darren Coleman, Jackie Carter, Sondra Wilson, E. Michael Cunningham, Elizabeth Nunez, Glenville Lovell, Clarence Haynes - Harlem Moon, Crystal McCrary, Paul Coates, Marcella Smith, Brenda L. Thomas , Ruby Taylor, Retired NBA player Dick Barnett, Kecia Palmer Cousins, Juanita Johnson of Harper Collins, Mark Anthony Neal, Ellis Cose, Manthia Diawara, Grace Edwards, Michael Cunningham, Bill Wright, Carol Martin, Artists from Saffyre Entertainment, Earl Sewell, Eugene Redmond, Autum, Margaret Troupe, Allison J. Warner, Deborah Morton Hoyt, Greg Thomas, Lurea C. McFadden, Uncle D and the New Jersey Choral Chapter, Opal Palmer Adisa, Elizabeth Nunez , Monica Harris - HBF, Opal Moore, Troy Johnson - Publisher AALBC.com, Jemume Raome, Kenji Jasper, David Bratton and the Spirit of Praise, K. Elliot. Shannon Holmes, Queen Pen, Shani Kulture, Denise Campbell, Viola Sanders, Gus Edwards, Vanessa Miller, Chuck Smith, Paul Carter Harrison, Sterling Plumpp,Ezrah Aharone, Jacqui Kess-Gardner, Lori Robinson, Louis Reyes Rivera and Woody King.

The Harlem Book Fair, which is free to the public, will feature over 250 exhibit booths, four stages, celebrity authors, book selling, storytelling and a variety of musical entertainment that will run a two-block stretch on 135th street between 5th Avenue and Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Blvd. "It is the largest gathering of African American authors, book lovers and publishers in the country," notes it's founder, Max Rodriguez who is also the publisher of QBR: The Black Book Review. The program of activities will also include an opportunity for attendees to be a part of the studio audience for the author panel discussions that will take place at the Schomburg Center for Research and Black Culture and air live on C-Span's Book TV.

A total of 15 free author panel discussions will take place during the day and cover topics ranging from the state of affairs of the Black church to a host of other topics where authors will discuss every day life issues facing Black America. Authors will offer their perspectives on relationships, health, finance, music, politics, street fiction, the state of black publishing as well as provide tips on how to become a successful self-published author.

This year the book fair will expand it's base to include a Christian Book and Sound Stage Pavilion, where well-known and self-published authors of faith will be on-hand to meet and greet the audience and engage in up-close and personal discussion and book signings.

The Harlem book fair has teamed up with Legacy, a company who has spent more than 15 years creating and producing marketing concepts, public relations tools, special events and audience development strategies that have a particular focus on the African American and Christian community.

"We are pleased to work with Max Rodriguez and The Africana Literature Archives (TALA), the nonprofit arm of the Harlem Book Fair. Their dedication and work in the promotion of the literary arts in Black culture is unprecedented. "Reaching out to the Christian community of publishers, authors, retailers and the "Black Church" is yet another milestone in the history of the Harlem Book Fair," notes Reginald Miles, President of Legacy.

"We are in discussion with some of the most highly sought after Publishers and African American Christian Authors in the country. The Christian soundstage will feature major and independent label gospel artist with new releases, as well as presentations from authors throughout the day", notes Jane Best Director of Marketing at Legacy.

Exhibit and Sponsorship space is still available. To receive sponsorship and exhibitor applications same day, please e-mail LegzPro@aol.com or contact Jane Best@ Legacy (718)398-7334.

Book club members, author enthusiasts, college students, or those who are simply interested in being a part of this exciting special event can volunteer by contacting Brook Stephenson at Brook@qbr.com. For your participation, you will receive the official Harlem Book Fair T-shirt and gift bag.

For all other concerns, visit _www.qbr.com.

Harlem Book Fair Contact Person: Ms. Jane Best(Marketing Director @ Legacy)LegzPro@aol.com or (718)398-7334

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