MINNEAPOLIMEDIA NEWS | Inaugural Midwest Black Book Fair Draws Overwhelming Response, Signaling Demand for Black Literary Spaces in Minnesota

What began four months ago as an idea to celebrate Black writers and literary culture turned into something vastly larger Saturday when the inaugural Midwest Black Book Fair brought hundreds of readers, writers, families, and booksellers to North Minneapolis, powered by more than 2,000 advance registrations.

The free event, held at the University of Minnesota Urban Research and Outreach-Engagement Center (UROC), was created to uplift Black authors, publishers, and the regional literary traditions that have shaped the Midwest.

Event Director Dr. Terresa Hardaway, owner of Black Garnet Books and design studio Blackbird Revolt, admitted organizers had prepared for a far modest turnout.

“I expected there to be 750 people registered, and maybe 500 people to show up,” Hardaway told MinneapoliMedia.

Instead, registrations surpassed 2,000. By 2:45 p.m., with more than two hours remaining before the fair's scheduled 5 p.m. conclusion, over 800 attendees had checked in.

“The support has doubled more than I thought, for sure tripling,” Hardaway said. “Now that people know about the event, I’m hoping that it’s easier for people to recognize every August, in Black August, there will be a Midwest Black Book Fair.”

An Idea Built in Four Months

The event was led by Black Garnet Books in partnership with literary, educational, and community organizations across Minnesota. Hardaway noted that the Midwest possesses a vital Black literary tradition that is too often overlooked nationally.

“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,” Hardaway said.

Saturday put that culture into physical view through an expansive network of participants:

• Booksellers & Publishers: Black Garnet Books, In Black Ink, Baby Cakes Book Stack, Baldwin's Books & Records, Mind's Eye Comics, Strive Publishing, Uhuru Bookstore, and Amistad HarperCollins.
• Cultural & Community Organizations: Griot Arts, Minnesota BIPOC KidLit Creators, Minnesota Black Authors Expo, More Than a Single Story, Great MN Schools, Network for the Development of Children of African Descent, and Saint Paul Almanac.
• Libraries & Archives: Hennepin County Library and the Archie Givens Sr. Collection of African American Literature and Life.

Conversations across vendor tables spanned poetry, speculative fiction, children's literature, horror, and publishing strategies. Featured panelists included Junauda Petrus, Destyn Land, Rita Woods, Donyae Coles, Davu Seru, Debra Stone, Marlin M. Jenkins, Danez Smith, LM Brimmer, and Isha Camara.

“We Have to Write”

At the In Black Ink table, a representative of the grassroots nonprofit emphasized that the primary hurdle facing Black writers occurs before publishing contracts or distribution: the decision to write at all.

“One is the courage to write,” the representative said, alongside understanding “the necessity to write... We have to write if we're going to maintain who we are, so our children will know our history and our heritage and our culture.”

The representative stressed that preserving these narratives cannot depend solely on mainstream entities, urging families and local communities to become “keepers and archivers of our stories.” The organization is preparing to continue that work at its Sankofa Series on November 14 at Saint Paul College, featuring Dr. Rosemari Mealy.

Preserving Intellectual History

The vital role of archiving was equally clear at the Archie Givens Sr. Collection table. Curator Davu Seru used historical texts, including Melville J. Herskovits's 1941 work The Myth of the Negro Past, to illustrate how Black intellectual history has been preserved and defended across generations.

Seru told MinneapoliMedia that he plans to travel to Ghana in November to represent the Givens Collection and present on African American archival preservation, agreeing to an extended interview with MinneapoliMedia prior to his departure.

Literacy Access and Community Needs

The gathering also touched on systemic literacy challenges. At the Hennepin County Library table, a representative highlighted initiatives like Let's Read, which supports K-5 students reading below grade level, as well as adult GED and college prep programs.

The conversation occurred as Hennepin County considers proposed library hour reductions in its upcoming budget process. While reductions are not final and require county commissioner approval, the representative noted the system is working to minimize community impact.

An Intergenerational Vision for Year Two

Accessibility was central to the fair's design. Featuring outdoor chalk activities, children's authors, and free admission, the gathering was built to welcome all generations and income levels.

“If I'm the consumer, I can engage. If I'm a writer, I can engage,” Hardaway said. “Regardless of title, you're a community member.”

Jordan Holbrook, representing the intergenerational organization More Than a Single Story (founded by Minneapolis writer Carolyn Holbrook), echoed the sentiment, noting the event successfully combined storytelling with community building.

Looking ahead, Hardaway identified fundraising and earlier publicity as key operational priorities for next year. With the inaugural gathering proving immense local demand, she is already planning for a larger venue, expanded author space, and an increased budget for August 2027.

“I still want the same type of community,” Hardaway said. “The same people who want to love up on these Black authors, on our Black stories... 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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