Event overview
This grassroots festival is aimed at the African and Caribbean community and is a platform to showcase authors, publishers and booksellers.
The event provides an opportunity for the global community to:
- Listen to new and exciting Black writers and publishers
- Learn how to write the book they always knew they had within them
- Learn about the global Black book industry
- Identify opportunities to publish and exhibit books on the Black experience.
- Another aim of the festival is to raise much needed funds for Simon Education's SEADS Project, that provides free education resources and teacher training resources to schools in Africa and the Caribbean.
- The project currently supports 38 schools in 10 countries with a total student population of 35,000.
Entrance guidelines:
Free entry to book expo with 45+ stalls.
Paid entrance to seminar presentations and book expo.
Paid ticket holders to go to the front of the queue. Seminar tickets can be booked online or at the venue and will be allocated on a first-come, first-served, basis.
Festival DJ/Music
Provided by our own in-house Music (RnB, Afrobeats and Reggae) featuring DJ Rak
Writing & Publishing seminars (Paid ticket holders only 11.30am - 5 pm)
How to Write, Publish and Market Your Book with author David Simon 11.30am
Celebrating 100 Years of Black History with authors Sista Shanice, Tyrone Smith and Kandace Chimbiri 12.15pm
Bestselling author Paige Lewin in conversation with author Sandra A. Agard 1pm
Evadne Bygrave in conversation with the pioneering publisher Margaret Busby 1.55pm
Education seminars (Paid ticket holders only 11.30am - 5pm)
Your Career: Launching Into AI and Automation presented by AI consultant, Chinyere Simon 2.50pm
AI and the Education of the Black Child with author, David Simon 3.35pm
Black Scientists and Inventors with publisher and author Michael Williams 4.20pm
Main stage
Songs of Liberation performed by Suzannah Emmanuel 1.30pm
African-Caribbean dance performance by Irie Dance Theatre 2.15pm
Drumming and storytelling with Irie Dance Theatre 3.15pm
Family Tent ( Free) Each workshop lasts 40 minutes)
Black people in science and creative workshop with Dr Simon-Bleasdille 12pm
Fun critical thinking workshop with Dr Simon-Bleasdille and Mary Anderson 1.15pm
Rich Minds, Rich Kids with Apet 2.30pm
Arts and craft workshop with Mary Anderson 3.45pm
Special STEM Workshop (8 years plus)
Interactive STEM workshop with African American collective Bridges of Excellence 12pm to 2pm
100 Black British Doctors' team presentation 3pm to 3.45pm
Festival Exhibition (main hall)
Artist Shyaam will be featuring his collection of African inspired art
Awards: 4.15pm
Dates & times
| Date | Time | Add to calendar |
|---|---|---|
| 24 Oct 2026 | 10:00am - 6:00pm |
Accessibility
If you are attending an event and need the College to help with any mobility requirements you may have, please contact the event organiser in advance to ensure we can accommodate your needs.
