Led by Community. Rooted in Story.
Black Book Bash is a literary family reunion — part celebration, part homecoming, and all Black joy. Born from the brilliance of Black Book Threads, Black Bookstagram, and Black BookTok, B3 brings readers, authors, and influencers together in real life for three unforgettable days of storytelling, laughter, and love.
We’re not just building a festival. We’re building a community. A cookout with books. A weekend where every panel feels like a porch conversation and every meet & greet feels like meeting your cousin’s cousin you’ve been following for years.
Jacksonville, FL | October 3–5, 2025.
3 Days. 6 Genres. A Whole Vibe.
This is Black Book Bash.
The Visionaries Behind Black Book Bash
La-Tasha Estelle
Chief of Flow & Function
La-Tasha Stewart-Estelle is a 26-year veteran in publishing and currently serves as Sr. Director of Sales at a major house, leading a 15-member team across ABA Independent and Library channels. Known for her direct, insightful style, she brings deep expertise across all sales channels. A dynamic speaker and proven leader, La-Tasha has guided her teams to exceed annual sales goals in 10 of the past 11 years.
Casey R. Kelley
Chief of Vibes and Vision
Casey R. Kelley fell in love with books at age two and now champions YA and adult fiction by Black authors—especially psychological thrillers and dystopian stories. With 20+ years in marketing and data analytics for Fortune 100 CPG brands, she now consults with publishers, authors, and influencers to close marketing gaps, build strategic partnerships, and elevate diverse voices in publishing.
Ian K. Smith, MD
Chief of Clout & Capital
Dr. Ian Smith brings strategy, star power, and serious literary love to the B3 team. As a New York Times bestselling author of more than 20 books—including the acclaimed Ashe Cayne mystery series—he knows both sides of the publishing world. When he’s not writing, he’s elevating health conversations on national TV (The Doctors, Rachael Ray), mentoring authors, and building platforms that center Black stories. At B3, he leads big-name author outreach, sponsorships, and media strategy.