MIDNIGHTROSE:A Reading Series BLACK HISTORY MONTH SPECIAL

Esther Productions Inc., The Black Student Fund and Tenley-Friendship Library present a special edition of MIDNIGHTROSE: A Reading Series of Poetry and Prose on Feb. 8, 2025 from 11 am to 1pm for the entire family. This exciting program will include a visual exhibition that celebrates the history of DC's African American authors of children's literature from 1970s to the present and an in-person reading by three dynamic, award-winning writers: TRICIA ELAM WALKER, DAVID MILLER AND JOY JONES.

In addition to the live reading, the event will include book and poster giveaways and light refreshments. IT'S ALL FREE. Register now!

Author bios:

 Tricia Elam Walker, author of the acclaimed novel Breathing Room and two children’s books, Nana Akua Goes to School (2021 Ezra Jack Keats award, 2021 Children’s Africana Award) and Dream Street (NY Times 25 Best Children’s Books 2021), has written for National Public Radio, The Washington Post, The Root, Essence magazine, the Huffington Post and more. Tricia’s short stories and essays have been published widely and her plays have been produced in community theaters. She practiced law for sixteen years prior to her writing career. Tricia is currently an Associate Professor of Creative Writing at Howard University and is working on more children’s books, plays, and a second novel. You can find her on instagram @triciawriting and her website is www.triciaelamwalker.com.

 As a child, David Miller, Ph.D, faced the daunting challenge of school bullies and found it difficult to concentrate in class. However, with the unwavering support of his family and teachers, he overcame these obstacles and used writing to explore the world. Thanks to his creative genius, his books--Yetunde the Yogi, Charlie Drew and His Missing Stethoscope, Ida B, the Beekeeper, Gabe & His Green Thumb, Brooklyn's Finest: The Green Family Farm, Winnie the Wizard of Wall Street, Chef Toussaint, and Khalil's Way-- are not just titles, but stories that have ignited the love for reading and writing in countless young scholars.  Dr. Miller is writing a unique children’s book about the life and legacy of Kwame Nkrumah, the first president of Ghana that releases in February 2025. Dr. Miller completed his Ph.D. in social work at Morgan State University, focusing on Black fathers raising daughters.  Q & A with David Miller – I am David Miller

Joy Jones is a teaching artist, popular speaker, and the author of several books for adults and children. Her plays have appeared on stages in California, New York, Baltimore, Pittsburgh, and Washington, D.C. Her latest book is The Sky Is Not Blue (Free Spirit.) Her MG novel, Jayla Jumps In, received a starred review on Booklist and was chosen as one of the best sports books for children by the American Library Association. Her novel in progress, Walking the Boomerang, won the 2022 Pen America/ Phyllis Naylor Grant for Children's and Young Adult Novelists. Jones is also the founder of DC Retro Jumpers, a double Dutch team that has toured abroad. Coming in January is The Marriage That Changed the World; Lois and Bill Wilson and the Addiction Recovery Movement, co-authored with Tom Adams. Visit her at: www.joyjonesOnline.com.

This program is curated by jonetta rose barras. For more information write [email protected]

Host or Publisher Esther Productions