THE IMPORTANCE OF TELLING STORIES...
The Black Cultural Experience is heavily wrapped around movements of visual art, performance, and literature. You've stumbled upon a living history database of cultural studies focused on the African Diaspora as expressed through the arts and humanities.
Black & Bookish contains book reviews, tips, lists, opinion pieces, and photography.
This is the heart of Black & Bookish. Reviews are a mix of genres, new and indie authors, or old favorites and classics. Submissions are always welcomed through my contact page.
Prompted by current events and book study, these think pieces are a great way to engage with my personal philosophies around activism and social justice.
A place to showcase the beautiful artwork and design that goes into printing, event outings, and (amateur) photography. All photos are my own unless otherwise noted.
... STARTED WITH AUTHORS I ALREADY KNEW AND LOVED.
A search of my own personal library contained many titles by black authors. Most were best sellers or classics. I had much more material than expected and a decent start to my experiment.
Zora Neale Hurston, author of Their Eyes Were Watching God and Of Mules and Men. (Google Images)
Kwame Alexander, author of The Crossover and Booked. (Google Images)
Octavia E. Butler, author of Parable of the Sower and Kindred. (Google Images)
IT CONTINUED WITH LOCAL AND INDEPENDENT AUTHORS...
Some of the best stories come from the communities we live in each day. Organizations like World Stage Press and Flowered Concrete show we will write ourselves into existence.
Camari Carter, author of Death by Comb
S.L. Ladd, author of Suburban Werewolf
... WHICH ALLOWED ME PARTICIPATE IN LOCAL EVENTS.
Attending book signings by local authors quickly became my favorite thing to do. Live poetry readings feed my soul. High energy, low energy, panels, and booths. Have a local event you'd like me to attend? Click the button to complete a suggestion form.
THAT LED ME TO GROW CREATIVELY...
Sometimes I'm able to find just the right light and the perfect angles. I began to love the Cover Photos and started a #SipandRead section. Photography became a natural extension of this project.
... AND ALLOWED FOR NEW PERSPECTIVES.
Bookish Thoughts are mostly based on current events or cultural themes (like Colorism or Racism). Listicles and Home Journey posts are also under this heading.
AND SOMEHOW, ALONG THE WAY, IT BECAME MUCH MORE THAN A BOOK BLOG.
The Historic Thomas House in Eatonville, FL
WELCOME TO BLACK & BOOKISH
Hope you stay a while.