- This event has passed.
Strive Publishing Gala Celebrates African-American Authors, St Paul, Aug. 16, 2018
August 16, 2018 at 6:00 pm - 10:00 pm CDT
Strive Publishing will host a gala to celebrate diversity in children’s literature, spotlighting its three founding authors, on Thursday, August 16, 2018, 6–10 PM Central. The semi-formal event will take place at the historic James J. Hill Center, 80 W 4th St, St Paul, Minnesota.
Gala attendees will have the opportunity to talk with Strive Publishing’s three founding authors: Ricardo G. Peters, author of the YA novel Under the Cloven Sky; Linda S. Miller, author of the picture book Isaiah’s Sunglasses; and Donna Gingery, author of the picture book Red’s Adventures: The Egg Pie.
Strive Publishing’s mission is to publish African-American picture books and young adult novels with contemporary and relatable stories from African-American communities. Founder and CEO Mary Taris says she wants to promote and create avenues for emerging African-American writers, to affirm stories with culturally-authentic voices and inspire readers to achieve their dreams for generations to come.
“My hopes for the gala are rooted in community partnerships,” says Taris. “I want the work of Strive Publishing—the children’s books and the incredible authors—to inspire a determination in foundations and corporations to help us get contemporary books by and about African Americans into the hands of children.”
The 6 PM social hour will feature Batume & Company performing traditional live jazz. Dinner begins at 7 PM, with keynote speaker Nichole C. Salaam, president of LNC Strategic Designs, and special guest speaker Jesse Ross, associate area director for Young Life. The program is followed by an evening of dancing, with music provided by DJ Erick Goodlow.
Tickets are $50 per seat or $300 for a table of eight, available for purchase at Eventbrite. Seating is limited.
*As a fellow publisher member of the Independent Book Publishers Association, Midwest Independent Publishing Association, and Minnesota Book Publishers Roundtable, Elva Resa is helping to spread the word about this event because we believe there is a need for more culturally-authentic books for children. Elva Resa does not benefit from the promotion of gala tickets nor from the sales of Strive Publishing books.