Hidden Figures, Loud Legacies
Our Stories, Our Terms
ReShonda Tate and Shara Moon center two women history tried to sideline—Oscar winner Hattie McDaniel and White House domestic Lizzie McDuffie. This panel reclaims their stories, showing how quiet work left an unforgettable mark.
Panelists:
- ReShonda Tate (The Queen of Sugar Hill)
- Shara Moon (Let Us March On)
Moderator:
Denny S. Bryce
Telling Our Truths
Our Stories, Our Terms
At the intersection of race, sexuality, and masculinity, Dr. Daniel Black and Rasheed Newson craft stories that refuse to choose one truth over another. This conversation explores the power of fiction to hold complexity—and the freedom that comes with being fully seen.
Panelists:
- Daniel Black (Isaac's Song)
- Rasheed Newson (My Government Means to Kill Me)
Moderator:
Roots & Reawakening
Our Stories, Our Terms
Spanning decades and generations, Rhonda McKnight and Nancy Johnson use dual timelines to explore how the past shapes the present—and how women find themselves by uncovering where they come from. Their novels reveal that sometimes, going back is the only way forward.
Panelists:
- Rhonda McKnight (The Thing About Home)
- Nancy Johnson (People of Means)
Moderator:
Faith in the Fire
Our Stories, Our Terms
When the world feels broken, faith becomes a lifeline. Vanessa Miller and Terri J. Haynes write stories rooted in redemption, sisterhood, and the power of belief—even when tested by loss, doubt, and deep generational wounds.
Panelists:
- Vanessa Miller (The Filling Station)
- Terri J Haynes (The Daughters of Shiloh)
Moderator:
Indie Thrills Unleashed
Don't Go in There!
Octavia Grant and Toni Larue are redefining the indie thriller space with fully loaded suspense and grit you’ll feel in your spine. Whether it’s betrayal at its most ruthless in Cutthroat or justice born from rage in Juneteenth: The Key to Freedom is Revenge, these two prove thrills aren’t reserved for the mainstream—they’re boldly created and unapologetically delivered from the margins.
Panelists:
- Octavia Grant (Cutthroat)
- Toni Larue (Juneteenth)
Moderator:
Murder, She Co-Wrote
Don't Go in There!
Keira N. James, Kenya Moss‑Dyme and Tanisha Stewart lead the way in indie suspense, bringing heat, heart, and a flair for collaboration—whether it’s through shared collections or creative partnerships. Their work reminds us that in indie publishing, community can be the deadliest weapon of all.
Panelists:
- Keira N. James (Bodied)
- Kenya Moss-Dyme (Sicko xoxo)
- Tanisha Stewart (The Babysitter)
Moderator:
Black. Woman. Suspense.
Don't Go in There!
Tracy Clark and Christina Dotson are part of a growing wave of Black women redefining the thriller genre. With sharp voices and fearless storytelling, they center Black women as the ones asking questions, surviving the setup, and getting to the truth—no matter who doesn’t want them to.
Panelists:
- Tracy Clark (Echo)
- Christna Dotson (Love You to Death)
Moderator:
Don't Try This Alone: Sunday Inspiration with Toni Collier
Real Talk, Real Life
Toni Collier takes the stage with a message of healing, hope, and holy honesty. Drawing from Don’t Try This Alone, she reminds us that restoration isn’t a solo journey—and that God often sends people as part of the rescue. This Sunday keynote is your invitation to stop pretending, start healing, and let community do what it was always meant to.
Panelists:
- Toni Collier (Don't Try This Alone)
Moderator:
Face Forward
Real Talk, Real Life
In Face Forward, Bethny Ricks charts a path through corporate burnout, personal heartbreak, and the quiet work of rebuilding. This conversation is about choosing yourself—even when life dares you not to.
Panelists:
- Bethny Ricks (Face Forward)
Moderator:
When We Talk to God
Real Talk, Real Life
In When We Talk to God, Sharifa Stevens offers a soulful, deeply Black invitation to prayer—rooted in honesty, resistance, and radical intimacy. This conversation explores how faith sounds when we bring our whole selves to it.
Panelists:
- Sharifa Stevens (When We Talk to God)
Moderator:
The Man of Many Fathers: A Conversation with Roy Wood Jr
Real Talk, Real Life
In this candid conversation, Roy Wood Jr. unpacks The Man of Many Fathers, blending humor, heart, and hard truths about identity, fatherhood, and the complicated men who shape us. It’s a story about searching—for answers, belonging, and the man he chose to become
Panelists:
- Roy Wood Jr (The Man of Many Fathers)
Moderator:
New Paths to Print
Real Talk, Real Life
The publishing landscape is shifting and so are the possibilities. Tanya Sam, Michael La Born, and La-Tasha Estelle break down what “non-traditional traditional” publishing really means, and how emerging imprints and presses are creating space for new voices, new models, and new rules—offering fresh ways to get books into the world without waiting for old doors to open.
Panelists:
- Tanya Sam - Elizabeth & Minnie
- La-Tasha Estelle - HarperCollins Christian
- Michael LaBorn - Bindery
Moderator:
Belonging: A Conversation with Michelle Miller
Real Talk, Real Life
In Belonging, journalist Michelle Miller explores race, identity, and family through the lens of a life lived in-between. This conversation traces her journey toward self-discovery, the silence that shaped her, and the power of finally being seen—on her own terms.
Panelists:
- Michelle Miller (Belonging)
Moderator:
Represent: A Conversation with Dr. Michael Eric Dyson
Real Talk, Real Life
In this wide-ranging conversation, Dr. Michael Eric Dyson draws from Represent to explore culture, politics, and the power of visibility. With his signature insight and fire, he unpacks what it means to show up Black in America—and why representation is more than just being seen.
Panelists:
- Dr. Michael Eric Dyson (Represent)
Moderator:
Healed by Love
Love Jones & Situationships
Heartbreak isn’t the end—it’s the beginning. Aries Skye, Tiye, and Charity Shane share stories of women who’ve been hurt, but find restoration through new relationships that offer more than love—they offer peace, safety, and a soft place to land.
Panelists:
- Aries Skye (Love on the Rebound)
- Tiye (This Side of Beautiful)
- Charity Shane (Truce of the Matter)
Moderator:
Black Love, Period.: A Conversation with Christina C. Jones
Love Jones & Situationships
A legend in indie romance, Christina C. Jones writes the kind of stories that feel like home and heat all at once. In this conversation, she unpacks her process, her people, and why Black love—in all its moods and magic—deserves center stage every time.
Moderator:
More to Love
Love Jones & Situationships
Shameka S. Erby and M.L. Bash turn up the heat with stories where one love interest just isn’t enough. From steamy dynamics to empowered choice, this panel unpacks the sexy, subversive world of reverse harem romance—Black, bold, and unapologetic.
Panelists:
- Shameka S Erby (The Air Between Us)
- ML Bash (Nobody to Love You Better)
Moderator:
ESPN: Extra Steamy & Passionate Novels
Love Jones & Situationships
Alexandra Warren, Nicole Falls, and Rowdy Rooksy know the playbook—on and off the field. From athletes falling for the ones who challenge them most to the high-stakes tension of competition and connection, this panel dives into the irresistible world of Black sports romance.
Panelists:
- Alexandra Warren (One Last Shot)
- Nicole Falls (Shots Not Taken)
- Rowdy Roosky (The Assignment)
Moderator:
Plot Twists & Paperbacks
Love Jones & Situationships
From pen to paperback, Johnazia Gray and Queen Philly have built their street lit empires one raw love story at a time. Join these indie powerhouses as they break down the hustle, the heat, and the heart behind their bestselling books—and how they turned real ones into loyal readers.
Panelists:
- Johnazia Gray (He'll Always Love Me)
- Queen Philly (Winter Wilde)
Moderator:
Crossed Lines, Deep Love
Love Jones & Situationships
From swoon-worthy first glances to layered relationships, Terreece C. Clarke, Angel M. Shaw, and Mo Flames share how they write interracial love stories that stay true to Black voices. Come for the chemistry—stay for the conversation on breaking molds.
Panelists:
- Terreece M. Clarke (Chaser)
- Angel M Shaw (Between Passion and Revenge)
- Mo Flames (One Ain't Enough)
Moderator:
Black, Queer, & In Love
Love Jones & Situationships
Frederick Smith and Kosoko Jackson center queer Black men in swoony, messy, unforgettable love stories. In this conversation, they’ll unpack the joy, challenges, and responsibility of writing Black queer romance that feels honest, grown, and deeply affirming.
Panelists:
- Frederick Smith (One and Done)
- Kososko Jackson (I'm So Not Over You)
Moderator:
Dangerously In Love
Love Jones & Situationships
Sometimes, the best love stories are a bit.. dangerous. you know the stories: Enemies to lovers but with fae politics, aliens, assassinations, and torture? If you dare, join N.E. Davenport and Nikki Clarke as they talk romantasy tropes and dangerous loves!!!
Panelists:
- Nikki Clarke (Taste)
- N.E. Davenport (Our Vicious Oaths)
Moderator:
Street Dreams & Love Scenes: Jahquel J Unplugged
Love Jones & Situationships
From street dreams to unforgettable love scenes, get an inside look at the passion and grit behind Jahquel J's most beloved books.
Moderator:
How We Heal
Black to the Future
What happens when we forget our history? How does it impact the individual and community? This panel examines how speculative fiction written by Black women can explore memory and the healing of generational wounds with authors Del Sandeen and Rita Woods.
Panelists:
- Del Sandeen (This Cursed House)
- Rita Woods (The Edge of Yesterday)
Moderator:
I Put on For My City: Black Men Writing Urban Fantasy
Black to the Future
Public opinion on Urban Fantasy is mixed but its best to believe that Jahid Wilson and H.D. Hunter carry their city on their backs. Join us in discussing the impact of writing speculative fiction in urban settings.
Panelists:
- Jahid Wilson (A Poor Man's Prose)
- H.D. Hunter (Something Like Right)
Moderator:
They Didn't Run Away, Love: A Case for Black Missing Kids
Black to the Future
We know America has a bad case of Missing White Women Syndrome, but enough's enough. LaDarrion Williams and H.D. Hunter's novels give a clarion call to shift public reponses to missing Black children. Join them in discussing the central themes in their novels and why its important to center social issues in speculative fiction.
Panelists:
- H.D. Hunter (Something Like Right)
- LaDarrion Williams (Blood at the Root)
Moderator:
Remixed Magic & Marvels
Coming in Hot, Coming of Age
From the wit of Bemused to the world-saving stakes of Miles Morales, Farrah Rochon and justin a. reynolds reimagine classic Disney and Marvel characters with heart, humor, and a fresh cultural lens. This panel dives into what it means to honor iconic worlds while making space for new voices and stories to shine.
Panelists:
- justin a. reynolds (Miles Morales)
- Farrah Rochon (Bemused; A Twisted Tale series)
Moderator:
Coming Into Our Own
Coming in Hot, Coming of Age
In gritty streets and high school hallways, KuTura B and Lakita Wilson tell stories of Black girls learning who they are—and what they’re willing to fight for. From survival and self-preservation to class, friendship, and identity, these authors write growing up with truth, heart, and grit.
Panelists:
- KuTura B (Selfish)
- Lakita Wilson (Pretty Girl County)
Moderator:
