How-to presentations part of book fair

By Becky Mayad

Celebrating African American literacy and history, the 20th-annual Tulisoma South Dallas Book Fair returns Saturday, Oct. 26, from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. at the African American Museum, Dallas in historic Fair Park (3536 Grand Ave., Dallas, TX 75210). Free and open to the public, the event features readings and book signings by African American authors, story times and children’s activities throughout the day.

This year’s featured guest is Dr. Michael Eric Dyson, a renowned professor, writer and prominent media personality. The author of numerous books, his most recent release is “Represent: The Unfinished Fight for the Vote.” 

Dr. Dyson has taught at prestigious universities like Princeton, Brown, Georgetown, and is now a distinguished professor at Vanderbilt. With more than 25 books, including seven New York Times best sellers, he has won awards such as the Langston Hughes Medal, American Book Award and two NAACP Image Awards. Dr. Dyson is also a prominent public intellectual, known for his insightful commentary on race, social justice, and culture.

As part of the Tulisoma weekend, Dr. Dyson will be presented the Sutton E. Griggs Lifetime Achievement Award in Literature at dinner on Friday (Oct. 25) at 7 p.m. at the African American Museum. During the awards dinner, Dr. Dyson will discuss his writings and sign books. Tickets for the dinner are $50 and available at aamdallas.org/events.

Dr. Dyson will also speak on Saturday at 2 p.m. in the museum’s auditorium. The public is invited to attend, and admission for the Saturday event is free.

The weekend also offers a variety of workshops with topics ranging from “the best 21st century books written about or authored by African Americans,” to how-to presentations on book publishing and the writing process, to discussions of African American curriculums to fill the book-banning gap. 

Also, the documentary film titled “The Artful Dream Fulfilled: African American Museum of Dallas” will be shown at 1 p.m. in the auditorium with a discussion led by moderator Linda Dickerson Lamar. A special event for young adults will be on Saturday from 6-8 p.m. 

Children’s activities will run throughout the day, including story times where authors share their books along with special activities.

Tulisoma — a Swahili word that means “we read” — is a community-based festival promoting literacy and the arts in the South Dallas/Fair Park area. 

With numerous authors and illustrators participating, the family-fun event features author presentations and readings, writing workshops, book signings, panel discussions, children’s story time, activities and more throughout the day. Workshops will focus on how to get published, book bans and black literary history.

In addition to the Sutton Griggs Award honoree Dr. Dyson, other authors scheduled to attend the Saturday fair are Dr. Peniel E. Joseph, internationally recognized scholar-activist and author and editor of seven award-winning books, most recently “The Third Reconstruction: America’s Struggle for Racial Justice in the Twenty-First Century”; Dr. Triba Gary, renowned children’s book author of “S is for Sweetgrass”; and Michael J. McBride, award-winning artist who has illustrated more than 80 children’s books.

Tulisoma was founded in 2003 by the late Dallas City Councilmember Leo V. Chaney Jr. and Dr. Harry Robinson Jr., president and CEO of the African American Museum. The goal of Tulisoma is to engage local families, avid readers, aspiring writers and visitors to the region. The African American Museum, Dallas serves as the lead partner along with many community supporters to continue the tradition of celebrating reading and the importance of literacy.

The African American Museum is open Tuesdays through Fridays from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Free self-parking is available in nearby lots.

For more information about Tulisoma and the full schedule, go to Tulisomabookfair.org or call 214-565-9026.