Black Garnet Books to host inaugural Midwest Black Book Fair
The Midwest has always had a Black literary story. Its impact, though, has oftentimes been overlooked. That all changes this weekend when Terresa Hardaway and her company Black Garnet Books host the inaugural Midwest Black Book Fair at the University of Minnesota’s Urban Research and Outreach-Engagement Center in North Minneapolis.
The free, one-day gathering on Saturday, Aug. 22 is designed to bring together Black authors, booksellers, literary organizations and readers from across the Midwest while celebrating the region’s contributions to Black literature and American literary culture.
“The Midwest has a Black literary culture that is important to uplift and is contradicting what our federal government [is doing] and what is happening now with books being banned and stories being ripped from the educational system,” said Hardaway. “That's the way white supremacy works here–it really is about ignoring and being aversive to Blackness.”
The belief that Black stories need to be elevated whenever, wherever possible is reflected in her work. In addition to owning Black Garnett Books, Hardaway owns the design studio Blackbird Revolt, is the co-founder and co-director of Hatch and Flock and is an Associate Professor of Design and the Director of Design Justice for the College of Design at the University of Minnesota.
Creating an accessible community
The idea for the Midwest Black Book Fair emerged from a conversation between Hardaway and her colleagues in the Black literary space such as Strive Bookstore, Black Ink and Babycake's Book Stack.
Nearly 1,000 people have registered for the free event. It was important to the organizers that no one is kept out of the book fair because of cost.
“This Black Book Fair is going to be accessible at any salary range for people of any age,” Hardaway said. “Those things are really important to making sure this is an intergenerational, intereconomic affair.”
The timing of the event is also intentional. Black August is an annual commemoration that honors the journey of Black freedom fighters and the understanding of abolition. August is also recognized nationally as Black business month.
“I feel like I'm honoring the ancestors and also finding community at the same time,” said Hardaway.
Along with curated swag bags, there will be a DJ, photo booth, a retail space, workshops and more–something for everyone.
“If I'm the consumer, I can engage. If I'm a writer, I can engage. Regardless [of title], you’re a community member, so engage with each other,” she said.
Tickets are available for free but attendees must register in advance. Free parking will be available at NorthPoint Health & Wellness Center.
“I hope that people leave [the fair] with a new sense of community. I want people to leave feeling either like, ‘I really need to pour back into Black literary spaces,’ or as a Black person, ‘I really understand my place in history.’”
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