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February 6, 2021, 7 pm, on Zoom

FREE, RSVP: tinyurl.com/AABFIEShowcase 

On February 6, 2021 join Inlandia for a Blacklandia special presentation featuring AABFIE founder Ginger Galloway in Conversation with authors Omobola Imoisili, James Coats, Monica Woodruff, Dr. Dwayne Shigg, and James Harris

The African American American Book Festival (AABFIE) is annual convention celebrating and supporting the region’s Black authors. tTe AABFIE Author Showcase is a precursor to the upcoming African American Book Festival IE. Hear excerpts from the works of several AABFIE Authors who will share their take on African Americans and Literary Arts and the importance for the support of upcoming Black authors and literacy in the Black community. 

The AABFIE made its debut in August 2018 in Perris, CA. We had 30 African American authors come out and share their books and over 200 readers came through the one-day event. The Festival was moved to Moreno Valley in February 2020. The AABFIE is a venue for Black Authors and Illustrators where we encourage the community to come out and meet Black writers and become engaged in literary arts. When we build personal relationships we are inclined to know more about people, who they are and what they do. The AABFIE encourages exploration of writing and literary arts as a career. AABFIE is about unity, inviting the community to get up close and personal a culture of writing and writers that is deeply rooted in faith, history, passion, drive, and unrelenting talent. The actual Festival is penciled to occur at the end of February 2021.

Ginger Galloway is the founder of the African American Book Festival Inland Empire. Partnering with Women Achieving Success, Ginger has hosted the Festival since 2019. With a passion for reading and the love of literary arts Ginger believes that by introducing authors to the community in an intimate setting encourages aspiring writers and reluctant readers alike. Excited to move toward the future, Ginger is looking forward to the time when the Festival can happen face to face. In the meantime, she is happy to present, in conjunction with Blacklandia and Inlandia, the Author's Showcase.

Omobola Imoisili is a Nigerian born author and entrepreneur, but she writes under the name Simisayo Brownstone. She is the CEO of Teni & Tayo Creations, a company that makes books, toys, backpacks and more for kids with a pinch of African influence. She was inspired to write her books and start her company because she wanted to see more representation in the products and media made for kids. She especially wanted to represent African people and culture in a fresh, fun and engaging way that any child from anywhere in the world could relate to. She has now written two books in her children's chapter book series, Feyi Fay, and currently teaches a class for kids about African fairy tales and folktales. Omobola has an undergraduate degree in Computer Science from the University of Reading in the UK and a Masters in Business Administration from the University of Southern California. She now lives in Los Angeles with her husband and two children. Learn more at https://www.teniandtayo.com/books

James Coats is an author, poet and spoken word artist. He received his Masters from CSU San Bernardino and after graduate school began writing and performing his poetry. With a passion for all things creative he strives to capture authentic self-expression through his work. He completed his debut poetry book If I Had Lived in April 2018 and most recently completed his second poetry book All The Ways You Are Wonderful in February of 2020. He believes that poetry has the ability to bring diverse groups together, offering a way to connect through our shared challenges, achievements and experiences.

James O. Harris Jr. is the author of his children’s book “Welcome to the adventures of Corey’s Courtroom.” He can be found reading to children at elementary schools and libraries around the Inland Empire. He conducts workshops and seminars throughout Southern California. Currently he is the Library Commissioner (Chairman) for the City of Moreno Valley. In addition, He is a member of the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) and Member of the Moreno Valley Scribes. He currently resides in Moreno Valley Ca, with his wife of 29 years and is the proud father of two. He is a law school graduate and a 30-year retiree from the California Department of Correction.  He conducts an African American history series called “unveiled” which includes presentation of: The Green Book, Sundown Towns, Robert Small, The Great Migration, Redlining, Pullman Porters, Restrictive Covenants to name a few.  

Dwayne E. Shigg has been in the Preaching ministry for 40 years. He is a graduate of the Sacramento Theological Seminary and Bible College with a Bachelors Degree in Theology; He has a Masters Degree and a Doctorate in Religious Education from Bible Believers College & Seminary. He has been married to Cheryl Shigg for 39 years. Dwayne E. Shigg, Ph.D. has a burden to motivate others through all of the difficulties that come with excelling to their highest potential. He has encouraged and inspired a countless number of people from Inglewood to England and Alabama to Africa through his speaking, EncourageMINT Radio Show and his Encourage-MINT video series. He has also written several books, including: Go Get It, EncourageMINTS From A Formerly Frustrated Dreamer and his newest: EncourageMINTS For Tough Times.