Shirley Neal Discusses Afrocentric Style

Join MahoganyBooks for a stylish evening with author Shirley Neal as we celebrate and discuss her book Afrocentric Style! This gem was recentely nominated for Outstanding Literary Work by a Debut Author from the NAACP Image Awards! Illustrated with more than 100 color and black-and-white photos, this book celebrates the vibrancy of Black identity and expression with mainstream popular culture from the past to the present.

A big thank you to the Prince George's County Memorial Library System - Oxon Hill Branch for partnering with us for this event.

About the book: Afrocentric Style

The top memes, movements, and milestone moments dominating today's social media have focused on Beyoncé, Rihanna, Hip-Hop, Usher, Black Enterprise crews, Abbott Elementary's rise, and Oprah's slim down. Driven by Black millennials, these trending topics demonstrate the influence and power of Black artistry and celebrity in American popular culture and around the globe. As Shirley Neal argues, this is more than just a fleeting style. It is a profound display of how pop culture is being used as a conduit for the revival of Black identity, culture, and history.

The impact of Blackness in pop culture has never been as significant as it is today. African-themed searches have grown exponentially, and the surge of interest in Black pop culture crosses generations. Beautifully designed, Afrocentric Style explores the connection between Black identity and mainstream culture, interweaving more than 100 full-color and archival black-and-white photographs with thought-provoking commentary that offers parallels between the top Afrocentric stories that have trended on social media and their historical roots.

Timely and timeless, this stunning anthology educates celebrates, and elevates readers' knowledge about the powerful influence of Afrocentric Style on mainstream pop culture and America's increasingly diverse society.

About the author: Shirley Neal is a journalist, author, and documentarian, whose works have mainly focused on Pop Culture, Africa, and Black Identity. Her cover story for Forbes Africa highlighting Oprah Winfrey's works in South Africa is among the franchise's most in-demand issues. Shirley has served as a contributing writer and editor for Ebony. She is a graduate of Boston University, with a B.A. in Liberal Studies and earned her professional certification as a literary Ghostwriter from California State University Long Beach. Neal lives in Los Angeles.

Event guidelines are subject to change.

• 6:30 PM - Doors Open | 7 PM Conversation Begins | 9 PM End
• Non-refundable tickets, however transfers made be made.
• Face masks optional throughout event.
• Please email us at at least 14 days in advance at [email protected] should you need any accommodations to attend this event.
• Please note, books not picked up at the event can be retrieved at our National Harbor location for two weeks after event day. Afterwhich, they will be donated to a local organization.
• Photographs may be taken during the event WITHOUT FLASH.
• Note: By entering the event premises, you waive all rights you may have to any claims for payment or royalties in connection with any photographs or videos taken.
• Please tag us and use #mahoganybooks, #blackbooksmatter #pgcmls & #afrocentricstyle on social media.

--Let's have an amazing evening,

The MahoganyBooks Team

Host or Publisher MahoganyBooks