BLACK WRITERS WEEKEND
THURSDAY, JULY 30, 2026
Welcome Mixer
Open to the public.
📍 Hotel Lobby and Garden
7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Friday July 31st 2026
FILM FEST
12:00 PM - 5:00 PM - Featuring independent filmmakers.
Access To Hollywood Panel
5:00 PM - 6:00 PM - Access To Hollywood Panel
Moderator: Kyerra Weldon
Speakers: Jonathan Curtiss, Lamont Pete, Imani Nia Robinson, Lynette Blackwell
KICKOFF MIXER | Open mic
6:30 PM – 9:50 PM - 🎉 Readings & Mixer
📍 Darwin Garden
Featuring literary Creatives — Moderated by Anayo
Saturday August 2, 2025
MAIN STAGE CONVERSATIONS
CreativeCon @ Loudermilk Conference Center
*open to the public
10:15 AM - 11:00 AM
We Been Through Some Things
Speakers: Phoenix Williams & Tamika
11:15 AM - 12:00 PM
#BlackAFBookTok
Moderator: Storm
Speakers: Edrick Read It, Brandee, Nailah
12:15 PM - 1:00 PM
Next Up Panel
Moderator: Keisha Parks from Blerd Library
2:30 PM - 3:15 PM
Little Readers, Big Impact
Moderator: Marci L. Thomas
Speakers: Shonte Smith, Thalia Elie, Lakita Wilson
3:30 PM - 4:15 PM
I Am Creative
Moderator: Anayo Awuzie
Speakers: Zane
4:15 PM - 5:00 PM
Comics, Cosplay & Culture
Moderator: Keisha Parks from Blerd Library
Speakers: Dominic Jimenez, Abraham Samake-Cuzner, Eddie Dee Williams
5:15 PM - 6:00 PM
HiStory
Moderator: Ryan Kelly / HeadKrak
Speakers: Darius Yancy, Quardeay, Darin Lee
LIT LOUNGE
*must have a silver, gold, or creative pass
11:15 AM - 12:00 PM
BookFunnel Workshop
12:15 PM - 1:00 PM
Stewarding Stories Across Language, Place, and Time
Speakers: Dani James
1:15 PM - 2:15 PM
Shopping Hour & Lunch
2:30 PM - 3:15 PM
So You Want To Be A Publisher…
Speakers: Shai August
3:30 PM - 4:15 PM
Scripting Our Survival: Harnessing the Power of Narrative to Build Identity and Influence
Speakers: Ardre Orie
4:15 PM - 5:00 PM
Writing Wellness Class
Speakers: Dhayana Alejandrina
5:15 PM - 6:00 PM
Build A Career Across Multiple Genres
Speakers: Phoenix Williams
WORKSHOPS ROOM
*must have a silver, gold, or creative pass
11:30 AM - Workshop: Maximizing Your Author Earnings: Navigating Subsidiary Rights. Instructor: Kimberly Williams
1:30 PM - Panel: Shadows and Stars: Black Perspectives in Horror, Fantasy, and Paranormal.
Moderator: Storm
Panelists: Nikki Clarke, Shai August, Phoenix Williams.
4:30 PM - Workshop: Writing In The Shadows: Monetizing Your Writing Skills with Ghostwriting. Instructor: Berneka Alleyne
Creative AF Mixer
*rsvp
7:00 PM Location: Bookstore Gallery 461 Nelson St SW, Atlanta, GA 30313
THE PEN HOUSE
*must have a silver, gold, or creative pass \ only gold pass can access workshops or masterclasses
11:15 AM - 12:00 PM
Sharing Your Story Builds Connections
Speakers: Troy Harris
12:15 PM - 1:00 PM
Purpose, Process, and the Journey to Publication
Speakers: La-Toya Scott
1:15 PM - 2:15 PM
Shopping Hour & Lunch
2:30 PM - 3:15 PM
Healing Forward Workshop
Speakers: J. Dewayne Garrett
3:30 PM - 4:15 PM
Healing the Writer
Speakers: Ashley McGirt
4:15 PM - 5:00 PM
Digital and In-Person Networking Strategies for Creatives
Speakers: Destini Amaris Perkins
5:15 PM - 6:00 PM
Wealth, Wellness, and Writing with Agency
Speakers: Elona Washington
Sunday August 2, 2026
LOUDERMILK
10:00 AM Pitch Fest
MAINSTAGE
| 10:15 AM 11:00 AM | The Future Is Black & BookedModerator: Neisha Rogers Speakers: A.A. Lewis |
| 11:15 AM 12:00 PM | Behind the Confessionals: Inside the World of Black Reality TVModerator: TBD Speakers: Tamra Simmons |
12:15 PM | Sponsor Panel — Books That Make You Go OoooModerator: TBD Speakers: Shai August, Nako, Nikki Clarke |
| 1:15 PM 2:15 PM | I AM CREATIVEModerator: Tamika Jamison Speakers: Trey Haley |
| 2:30 PM 3:15 PM | Wrong Path, Right Perspective PanelModerator: Marcie L. Thomas Speakers: Natima Sheree, Angelita Bird, Naye Liggins, Toi Creel, Latashia Holmes |
| 3:30 PM 4:15 PM | Raising Funds, Raising StoriesModerator: Keyaira Kelly Speakers: Tiffany Stewart, Phoenix Williams, Andrea Kelley |
| 4:15 PM 5:00 PM | The Authorpreneur MindsetModerator: Bree Nachelle Hill Speakers: Berneka Alleyne, Ronald Williams, Angela Marie Hutchinson |
LIT LOUNGE
| 10:15 AM 11:00 AM | Sponsor Workshop |
| 11:15 AM 12:00 PM | Sponsor Workshop |
| 12:15 PM 1:00 PM | From Idea to Impact: Preparing Your Message for PublicationSpeakers: Luverta Reams 📌 Waiting on confirmation |
| 2:30 PM 3:15 PM | From Page to Platform: Storytelling, Publishing & InfluenceSpeakers: Carla Dupont |
| 3:30 PM 4:15 PM | The DEI HireSpeakers: Kathleen Johnson |
| 4:15 PM 5:00 PM | Every Line A Legacy PanelModerator: Fanta Ballo Speakers: Zuleiha Yusuf, Kwamise Fletcher, Anyrah Shaveh, Salaam Green |
THE PEN HOUSE
11:15 AM | The Pen, The Pulpit, and The PeopleSpeakers: Kyara Ofuani Esq |
12:15 PM | Writing with AISpeakers: Beverly Powers |
2:30 PM | Grant Writing and Storytelling: Turning Mission Into MomentumSpeakers: Tiffany Stewart |
4:15 PM | Plot Twists & Truths: Q&A with Phoenix WilliamsSpeakers: Phoenix Williams |