Griot & Grey Owl Presents: Carolina Gold 2025

Schedule

Fri, 07 Nov, 2025 at 01:00 pm to Sun, 09 Nov, 2025 at 04:00 pm

UTC-05:00

Location

American Underground | Durham, NC

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A three-day celebration of Black Southern storytelling, legacy, and creativity, where stories take root from Appalachia to the Gullah Coast.
About this Event

Griot & Grey Owl Black Southern Writers Conference 2025: Carolina Gold๐Ÿ“ Durham, NC | ๐Ÿ—“๏ธ November 7โ€“9, 2025โœจ Featured venue: American Underground

Three days. Countless stories. One unforgettable experience.

This November, Durham becomes the heart of Black Southern storytelling. Griot & Grey Owl Black Southern Writers Conference gathers writers, poets, scholars, musicians, and culture keepers from the Carolinas and beyond โ€” rooted in traditions that stretch from the mountains of Appalachia to the shores of the Gullah Coast.

This yearโ€™s theme, Carolina Gold, honors the legacy, labor, and brilliance sown deep in Southern soil. Together, weโ€™ll craft new futures while celebrating the roots that ground us โ€” through keynotes, panels, workshops, music, storytelling, and more.

Our 2025 griots include a constellation of literary and cultural stars โ€” Crystal Wilkinson, Jaki Shelton Green, Nnenna Freelon, Pierce Freelon, Glenis Redmond, Vanessa Miller, Kamal Bell, Kianna Alexander, Halle Hill, Donovan Livingston, Fred Joiner, James Stewart, Jordan Bailey โ€” and many more voices youโ€™ll want to say you heard here first.

Whatโ€™s waiting for you:

Your weekend includes:

  • Transformative writing workshops, seminars & feedback labs
  • Keynotes & panels with award-winning authors & cultural leaders
  • Saturday night Poetry Slam
  • โ€œEvening with the Griotsโ€ (VIP + All-Access only)
  • Marketplace of Black-owned books, art & goods
  • Live music, storytelling circles & cultural exchanges
  • Community, connection & creative fire youโ€™ll carry home with you

Whether youโ€™re a seasoned author, an emerging voice, or a devoted lover of Black stories, this is where you find your people.

Come home to your story. Plant your roots. Grow your gold.

๐ŸŽŸ Ticket Options

General Admission โ€“ Access to all keynotes, workshops, panels, and the vendor marketplace. Perfect for readers, community members, and creatives seeking inspiration.

VIP Experience โ€“ Everything in General Admission plus priority seating, entry to all workshops, panels, book fair, and critique sessions, and exclusive networking events with featured guests.

All-Access Pass โ€“ The ultimate Carolina Gold weekend: All VIP benefits plus All-Access lounge access, reserved front-row seating, and entry to special events such as the Publishing Roundtable and Evening with the Griots โ€” an intimate night of food, readings, and conversation with Hallmark speakers.

Educators/Students โ€“ Reduced pricing for high school, college, and graduate students, as well as educators (valid ID required; code available upon request).

Sliding Fee & Needs-Based โ€“ Limited tickets available by application on website- griotandgreyowl.org. (email ).


Accessibility Statement: Griot & Grey Owl is committed to creating an inclusive, welcoming space for all. All main venues are wheelchair accessible, with accessible restrooms, elevators, and priority seating available. ASL interpretation, live captioning, and large-print/digital programs can be requested in advance. Service animals are welcome. For additional accommodations, email @gmail.com at least 2 weeks before the event.


Agenda

๐Ÿ•‘: 01:00 PM - 06:00 PM
Friday, Nov 7th -Early Registration
๐Ÿ•‘: 06:30 PM - 08:00 PM
Opening Ceremony- Music, Keynote, Q&A
๐Ÿ•‘: 08:00 PM - 09:00 PM
Reception
๐Ÿ•‘: 08:30 AM - 12:00 PM
Saturday, Nov 8th - Registration
๐Ÿ•‘: 09:00 AM - 01:30 PM
Book Fair w/ Signings
๐Ÿ•‘: 09:30 AM - 10:45 AM
Saturday, Nov 8th Workshop Block #1
๐Ÿ•‘: 11:00 AM - 12:15 PM
Saturday, Nov 8th Workshops Block #2
๐Ÿ•‘: 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM
Saturday, Nov 8th- Publishing/Editors/Agents Roundtable
๐Ÿ•‘: 02:00 PM - 03:00 PM
Saturday, Nov 8th Hallmark Nikki Giovanni Reading
๐Ÿ•‘: 03:00 PM - 04:30 PM
Saturday, Nov 8th- Panels & Book Talks
๐Ÿ•‘: 04:15 PM - 05:15 PM
Saturday, Nov 8th- Career Sessions & Publishing Labs
๐Ÿ•‘: 05:30 PM - 07:00 PM
VIP/All Access - Evening + Dinner with the Griots
๐Ÿ•‘: 08:00 PM - 10:30 PM
Griot Poetry Slam
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Where is it happening?

American Underground, 201 West Main Street, Durham, United States

Event Location & Nearby Stays:

Tickets

USD 116.69 to USD 231.40

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