WHO SAYS DREAMS CAN’T COME TRUE- 10 AMAZING THINGS THIS WEEK!

February, 2008, National – BookExpo America, one of the largest book trade exhibits in the world, provides independent African American book publishers, self publishers, authors, Black Interest Imprints at major publishing houses, distributors, literary agents, publicists, librarians and bookstore owners exposure to more than eighty thousand book buyers and booksellers from across the globe. Organizers of the African American Pavilion at BookExpo America are finalizing plans for the event, to take place at the Los Angeles Convention Center, Los Angeles, CA May 30 – June 1, 2008.

Now in its Fifth Year, the African American Pavilion at BEA is the marketplace for thousands of African American publishing industry professionals. Influential exhibitors and book buyers form a community of unprecedented strength. “The African American Pavilion is a growing presence at BEA,” says exhibitor C. Sunny Martin , CEO and Founder, Who’s Who Publishing and the 2007 African American Pavilion at BEA ”Independent African American Publisher of Note”. “There will be great opportunities to learn, share, educate, sell and network and it’s making black book history a vital, visible part of the 107-year history of BookExpo America/American Booksellers Association.”

“The response by the exhibitors and the book publishing industry to the 2007 African American Pavilion at BookExpo America was tremendous and powerful”, stated Pavilion co-founder Tony Rose. “The Pavilion hosted some of the giants in the African American Publishing Industry such as: Haki Madhubuti, Third World Press; Kassahun Checole, Africa World Press/Red Sea Press; Wade and Cheryl Hudson, Just Us Books; Wil Colom, Genesis Press; Zane, Strebor Books International/Simon and Schuster; Terrie Williams, The Stay Strong Foundation/Terrie Williams Agency; Carol Mackey, Black Expressions Book Club; Vickie Stringer, Triple Crown Publications; Harriette Cole, Harriette Cole Productions – Ebony Magazine; Max Rodriguez, The Harlem Book Fair / QBR The Black Book Review; and Ken Smikle, Black Issues Book Review”. 

The 5,000 square feet of exhibit space will showcase African American books, authors, products and publishers. In addition to the business opportunities the pavilion provides, festivities include: music, food and refreshments at all the events as The African American Pavilion celebrates it’s FIFTH YEAR ANNIVERSARY.

The African American Pavilion and BookExpo America will present on opening day, A Fifth Year star studded gala celebration, Friday, May 30th at 9:00am, beginning with a ribbon cutting, celebrity speakers, and unveiling the art of Synthia SAINT JAMES throughout the pavilion.

                                                      

The African American Pavilion Exhibitors Forum (Meet the Exhibitors) will be held Saturday, May 31, 1-3pm in the African American Pavilion Main Staging Area and throughout the pavilion.  Music, Food, refreshments, and performers, including poetry and author readings will be held.

The African American Pavilion Reception and Awards Program, Saturday, May 31, 3-5pm, sponsored by Sheridan Books, Inc., Oxford University Press and Amber Communications Group, Inc. will celebrate the achievements of these African American publishing professionals: The “Haki Madhubuti” Independent African American Publisher of the Year; Self Publisher of the Year;  Christian Book Publisher of the Year;  Bookstore of the Year; and Distributor of the Year.  Three industry professionals will be honored with the third annual Glenn Thompson Lifetime Achievement Award, Toni Trent Parker Author of the Year Award, The James Haskins Pioneer Award.

Keynote Speaker for the African American Pavilion Reception and Awards Program will be George C. Fraser, National Best-Selling Author, Founder of FraserNet and the PowerNetworking Conference, author of CLICK: Ten Truths for Building Extraordinary Relationships;   ZANE, Publisher, Strebor Books International, LLC/Simon & Schuster, National Best-Selling Author of several New York Times Best-Selling titles including: Addicted, The Sex Chronicles: Shattering the Myth, The Heat Seekers, Nervous, The Sisters of APF, Shame On It All, The Sex Chronicles 2 and Skyscrapers;   Mary B. Morrison, New York Times and Essence National Best-Selling Author of Sweeter Than Honey, He’s Just a Friend, Some Bodies Gotta Be On Top, Never Again Once More, She Ain’t the One, When Somebody Loves You, and author as Honey B., of Sexcapades;  Judith Curr, Executive Vice President, Publisher and Founder of Atria Books a division of Simon and Schuster, Ms. Curr to date has published over 105 New York Times Best-Sellers, incuding THE SECRET by Rhonda Byrne, the number one overall bestselling book in the United States;  Dawn Davis, Vice President, Editorial Director, Armisted Press/Harper Collins and Pulitzer Prize Winning Editor, The Known World;   Darrell Miller, Miller and Pliakas, LLP, client list includes Angela Bassett, Courtney Vance, Outkast and Ludacris;  Wade Hudson, President/CEO, Just Us Books, The nations largest African American Children’s Book Publisher;  Tonya Evans-Walls, Publisher, Legal Write Publications, author, Literary Law Guide For Authors;   Dr. Kenneth Edelin, Publisher, Pond View Press, author of Broken Justice: A True Story of Race, Sex and Revenge In A Boston Courtroom.    More speakers and performers TBA.  

This year The 2008 African American Pavilion at BookExpo America Glenn Thompson “Lifetime Achievement ” Award is being presented to the great Lerone Bennett Jr., Author of Before The Mayflower: A History of Black America and former Executive Editor now Executive Editor Emeritus of Ebony Magazine“. 

Continuing a nearly 20-year tradition, Clara Villarosa Director of the African American Program for Bookselling Professionals will set the pace with her pre-opening day Thursday luncheon / reception and a full day of workshops and panel discussions for all book industry professionals.

BookExpo America, one of the largest book trade exhibits in the world provides independent African American book publishers, self publishers, authors, African American imprints at major publishing houses, distributors, literary agents, publicists, librarians, and bookstore owners with exposure to more than 80,000 book buyers and booksellers from across the world. With over 20,000 BEA attendees crossing up and down the African American Pavilion aisles, the buying and selling is tremendous, and the African American Pavilion provides our exhibitors the lowest discounted booth prices at the BookExpo America.  

Many licensing, distribution, and sales success stories have emerged from the roster of African American Pavilion exhibitors since 2004.

The list of exhibitors expands each year and is growing rapidly for 2008. The 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2007 exhibitors included: African American Books On Tour;  Africa World Press/Red Sea Press; African American Literature Book Club (AALBC.com); Afrikan World Book Distributors; Alight! New York Grit Books; Amber Communications Group Inc.;  Amiaya Entertainment; AmmPublishing; Annie Busby; Aphesis Publishing; Arc Type Press; Around the Way Books; Aya Press; Aspicomm Media; Avo Publishing; Austin Publishing/Kaden Publishing; Baker Publishing; Barry Nix; The Beckham Publications Group Inc.; Blacast Entertainment/ Urbanbooksonline.com; Black Americans In Publishing; BlackBoard Entertainment Media Group; Black Issues Book Review; BlackListed, LLC.; Black Print Publishing; Brand Nu Words; Brooklyn Christian Center; BroSis Publishing; Brown Erotic Publishing; C&B Books Distribution; Christian Nations Center; Connie Leon; Color Bridge, LLC; Cultured Expressions; Delores Quinerly Press; Destiny Publishing; Disilgold Soul Publishing; Every Generation Media, LTD; First Black Autos-The Story of Charles C.R. Patterson; FYOS; Genesis Press; GhettoHeat Press; Green Olive Tree Publishing; Harobed House: Hilton Publishing; Imperious Publishing; In and Out the Dugout; In the Note of C; Jewels Publishing; Just Like Me Books; Just Us Books, Inc.; Kaden Publishing; Kandour Publishing; Kidding Around Entertainment; K Harris Publishing, Inc.; Kija Entertainment; Kingdom Kids Clubs; Kinship Press; Kymber Jae Publishing; Lefall and Company; Le’Femme Fatale Productions; Literally Speaking Press; Mad Parent Publishing;   Maria Falconer; Mahogany Star Publishing; Mind Candy; MomoWilly, Inc.; Mirror-Gibbs Publishing; Mosaicbooks.com; Nay-jay Publishing; Nega Fulo Books; Nile Publishing; Nunes Productions; Papyrus Publishing; Parker Publishing; People Skills International; Power Play Media; Prodigal Son Ministries; Publishing Associates; Q-Boro Books; QBR The Black Book Review/Harlem Book Fair; Quick Qwest publications; Relentless Content, LLC; Renaissance media Sales & Distribution; River Maverick Publishing; Ruby Burke; S.E.L.F. Publishing; Sheryl Walker Press; Silver Maple Publications; Strebor Books International; The Healing Tree; The Pilgram Press; Third World Press; Triple Crown Publications; Urban Ministries; Urban Touch Entertainment; White Men Can’t Hump; Wisdom Books, Inc.; Who’s Who Publishing; W. James Richardson; Walk Worthy Press; and Writing for the Lord Ministries.

The African American Pavilion was founded in 2004 by Tony Rose, Publisher/CEO, Amber Communications Group, Inc.; Adrienne Ingrum, President, Adrienne Ingrum, LLC and Niani Colom, Associate Publisher, Genesis Press.

For exhibiting information please contact: Mike Carlucci at 203-840-5625 - email: mcarlucci@reedexpo.com  -  Tony Rose at 520-568-6692  -  email: amberbk@aol.com

Any questions thoughts or suggestions, please email us at amberbk@aol.com

Lynette McMillon, Director, The Tushe Group and National Director of Publicity, The African American Pavilion at BEA – 773-732-2560 – email: tushegroup@aol.com