SAVE the DATE! : 17th Annual Great Midwest Book Fest : June 21, 2025

 

A Glimpse of the 16th Annual Great Midwest Book Fest : Saturday, June 22, 2024

Thank you to all of the authors, volunteers, attendees, family, and friends! See you next you year!

- Radiah Hubbert

Founder

 

Welcome One of Our Sponsors : Goody Gourmets

 

Goody Gourmets is known as Milwaukee’s favorite gourmet popcorn shop, but there is so much more to us than that. Our company culture has just as much variety as the flavors of our popcorn – a combination of fun, joy, warmth, friendliness, integrity, consistency, and teamwork, topped off with a touch of class.

Visit them at 6369 N Green Bay Ave, Glendale, WI or online at www.goodygourmets.com

Ave

Meet Our Authors : 16th Annual Great Midwest Book Fest : Xchange Event & Creative Space 3334 N. Holton Street, Milwaukee, WI: Saturday June 22, 2024 Milwaukee WI 1pm-4pm

 

Register here : https://bit.ly/gmbfreg2024

KIMBERLA LAWSON ROBY

New York Times & USA Today Bestselling Author, Speaker, Writing & Publishing Mentor, Podcast Host, and Founder of Successful Women of Faith – The Sisterhood, Kimberla Lawson Roby, has published 29 books which include her faith-based, nonfiction title, THE WOMAN GOD CREATED YOU TO BE: Finding Success Through Faith—Spiritually, Personally, and Professionally, as well as her novels, such as SISTER FRIENDS FOREVER, BETTER LATE THAN NEVER, SIN OF A WOMAN, A SINFUL CALLING, CHANGING FACES, BEST FRIENDS FOREVER, THE ULTIMATE BETRAYAL, A CHRISTMAS PRAYER, THE PRODIGAL SON, THE PERFECT MARRIAGE, THE REVEREND’S WIFE, BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU PRAY FOR, SIN NO MORE, CASTING THE FIRST STONE, and her debut title, BEHIND CLOSED DOORS, which was originally self-published through her own company, Lenox Press. She has sold more than 3 million copies of her books, and they have frequented numerous bestseller lists, including The New York Times, USA Today, The Washington Post, Publishers Weekly, Essence, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, upscale, Black Christian News, AALBC.com, Barnes and Noble, Amazon.com, Wal-Mart, The Dallas Morning News, The Austin Chronicle and many others.
Kimberla is the 2013 NAACP Image Award Winner for Outstanding Literary Work – Fiction, the recipient of the 2017 SOAR Radio Trailblazer of Honor award, the 2017 Southwest Florida Reading Festival Distinguished Author award, the 2017 AAMBC Christian Fiction Author of the Year award and the 2014 AAMBC Female Author of the Year award, the 2006, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2013 African-American Literary Awards Show (New York, NY) Female Author of the Year award, the Blackboard Fiction Book of the Year Award in 2001 for CASTING THE FIRST STONE, and in 2001, Kimberla was inducted into the Rock Valley College Alumni Hall of Fame (Rockford, IL). Additionally, in 2020, she was named by USA Today as one of the 100 black novelists you should read, in February 2021, her first nonfiction book, The Woman God Created You to Be: Finding Success Through Faith—Spiritually, Personally, and Professionally, was nominated for an NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Literary Work – Instructional, giving her four NAACP Image Award nominations in total, and in March 2024, she received the Rockford Area Arts Award for Literary Excellence from the Rockford Area Arts Council in Illinois. Kimberla also serves on two boards: the YWCA Northwestern Illinois Foundation Board and the Friends of the Coronado Foundation Board.

Kimberla’s books deal with very real issues, including women empowerment, racial and gender discrimination in the workplace, sexual harassment, marriage, infidelity, divorce, single motherhood, infertility, breast cancer, domestic violence, childhood sexual abuse, mental illness, drug and gambling addiction, sibling rivalry, problems within the church (and the consequences), Christian/family/moral values, and the care-giving of a parent to name a few. In addition, Kimberla’s books offer a message of redemption, forgiveness, and the realities of everyday life.
She resides in Illinois with her husband, Will.

Visit Kimberla at : https://kimroby.com/

NALEIGHNA KAI

Lissa Woodson has been an industry professional as a publishing and marketing consultant, developmental editor, and  literary event planner for nearly 25 years. In addition to successfully cracking the code of landing a deal for herself and many others with traditional publishing houses, she continues to "pay it forward" by organizing the annual Cavalcade of Authors which gives readers intimate access to the most accomplished writing talent today.
 
Writing under the pen name of Naleighna Kai, she is a contributor to a New York Times bestseller, the USA TODAY, Essence®, and national bestselling and award-winning author of several controversial novels. She is also one of AALBC's 100 Top Authors, a member of the Chicago Vocational School Hall of Fame (CVS), Mercedes Benz Mentor Award Nominee, and the E. Lynn Harris Author of Distinction.  Lissa is also a literary agent for the Seymour Agency. 

Visit Naleighna at : https://naleighnakai.com/

Vivian King 

Vivian King is an award-winning author, speaker, communications consultant and connector who founded Vivian L. King Connections after writing, “When the Words Suddenly Stopped: Finding My Voice Again After a Massive Stroke.” The book was an Amazon bestseller after Vivian appeared on Good Morning America. It received a 2021 outstanding book award from the National Association of Black Journalists, first in health and wellness at the 2021 Author Elite Awards, and a first, two second and third place medals in the 2022 Bookfest Awards, including for the production and narration of her audiobook. 

Vivian has served as an executive in the health care and grocery industries when she was director of public affairs at Roundy’s Supermarkets and vice president of community affairs at Aurora Health Care. 

During her award-winning broadcast career, she worked at television stations in Louisiana, Texas, Michigan and Wisconsin. Her latest TV assignment brought her to Milwaukee where she worked for 10 ½ years at WTMJ-TV as an anchor-reporter, even creating her own daily lifestyle segment, Viv’s View. 

A native of St. Louis, Vivian received her journalism degree from the University of Missouri – Columbia, where she was named a distinguished alumna. She is a life member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and became part of the first Black homecoming couple on her campus after letting her sorority members talk her into running. She is currently working on a children’s book series about manners. 

Visit Vivian at : https://www.vivianlking.com/

Tony Lindsay

Tony Lindsay is the author of ten novels; One Dead Preacher, Street Possession, Chasin’ It, Urban Affair, One Dead Lawyer, More Boy than Girl, One Dead Doctor, The Killing Breeze, Chess Not Checker, Melody Knight a Vampire’s Tale - and five short story collections titled Pieces of the Hole - Fat from Papa’s Head – Emotional Drippings stories of Love, Lust, and Addiction - Almost Grown – and Acorns in a Skillet stories of Racecraft in America. He has published book critiques and reviews for Black Issue’s Book Review. He was a contributor to the anthologies: Revise the Psalm, Don't Hate the Game, Luscious, and Fire and Desire. He has also contributed to the on-line encyclopedia Identity.com, and Mosiac.com. He has been published by to the African American literary web-site ‘Timbooktu.com’, as well as the young adult magazine Cicada. He wrote bimonthly articles for Conversations magazine, and he wrote book reviews for Hartman Publishing’s N’DIGO Magapaper and The Chicago Defender. Lindsay has a Post Graduate Certificate in Multicultural and Transnational Literatures from East Carolina University, an MFA in Creative Writing from Chicago State University, MA in English from Arizona State University, and Bachelors in Psychology from the University of Illinois, Chicago. He teaches at Harold Washington College, Maccormac College, and Ivy Tech Community College.

Contact Tony at : https://www.pen-4-hire.com/ 

Jeffery Roshell

Jeffery Roshell  is a native of The South Suburbs of Chicago IL. He is the author of The Novels Thornhill High School, It’s Gonna Rain ( The APS Books 2017 Fiction Book Of The Year) Friday After Dark, Class Réunion, And All Marvin’s Children( The APS Books 2019 Fiction Book Of The Year) He is an advocate for reading literacy.
Visit Jeffery at :https://www.facebook.com/jeffery.roshell

Kay Shanee

Kay Shanee is a devoted wife, mother, and teacher on a mission to create a positive narrative for Black love. With a passion for fostering healthy relationships, Kay Shanee has authored over 40 books, all dedicated to Black Love. Her works promote healthy, loving, sexy, and successful relationships between professional Black men and women. Married to her college sweetheart for over 26 years, Kay Shanee draws inspiration from her own experiences, aiming to showcase that happy and thriving relationships are abundant in the Black community.
Since penning her first book in 2018, Kay Shanee has been steadfast in her mission to change hearts and minds about Black Love. She aims to demonstrate that Black love is prevalent and thriving within our family homes, among couples, children, siblings, and friends. She asserts, “It’s crucial for me to write these stories to remind, encourage, and inspire those who may have lost hope. Black Love not only exists, but it's not an anomaly.”

Excitingly, Kay Shanee's published Black romance book, "This Time Around," under Black Odyssey Media Publications, is now available for pre-order and will be on sale starting March 26, 2024. Pre-order your copy at www.authorkayshanee.com. Physical copies will be available at Amazon, Walmart, The Dock Bookshop, and other retailers starting April 1, 2024.

Kevin BeyKevin Bey was born and raised in Milwaukee, WI. He graduated with a Bachelors of Science degree. Mr.Bey is passionate about bringing his ideas into fruition. The Zeus concept was created to speak life into self and to remind self that the power is within.
Visit Kevin at : https://www.facebook.com/kevin.anderson.336

Lakisha Mitchell-BuffingtonLakisha, a confident and inspiring woman, has branded herself as a Strong, Amazing, and Stunning (S.A.S.) wife, mother, educator, blogger, influencer, and lifestyle entrepreneur. Lakisha is an unstoppable force, driven by her faith, determination, and purpose. Despite facing obstacles, she has successfully built an enviable career and life. Her journey is a testament to the power of perseverance and hard work, and serves as an inspiration to countless others. For more than ten years, Lakisha has refined her skills and knowledge, making a significant mark on the world. She is more than just an educator or speaker; she is a genuine advocate for women, motivating and empowering them to achieve their utmost potential. Like a fairy godmother for women everywhere, The Harmony, a unique planner that combines a journal and calendar to assist women in balancing their lives, providing a daily dose of self-love and self-awareness. Lakisha's passion for self-transformation is contagious, and she is relentless in ensuring the success of others. Her mission is not just to change lives, but to enlarge them. With Lakisha by your side, there's no limit to what you can achieve. Visit Lakisha at : anunstuckwoman.com

Antwan Floyd Sr.

Antwan Floyd Sr. is an American novelist, most widely recognized for his crime fiction. He has written a series of best-selling mysteries featuring the hard-boiled detective Black Love, a black private investigator living in Chicago, IL. They are perhaps his most popular works.

Visit Antwan at : https://www.facebook.com/authorantwan.floyd

K.C. Taylor

K.C. Taylor is a decorated educator, independent author, and youth speaker. She earned her bachelor of science degree in education and her master of education degree in curriculum and instruction. Most of her twenty-plus years in the classroom have been in the middle grades, with a specialty in mathematics.
K.C. is the founder of Sapati Ingera Publishing, whose mission is to entertain, encourage, and empower our youth. K.C. has written and published several young adult books, including the YA social themes award-winner Black Leather Jacket.
K.C. was born in Gary, Indiana, and grew up in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. She currently lives in Indianapolis with her husband and two daughters. K.C. is a proud member of her church’s mission team, where she completed two trips to Ghana. K.C. enjoys spending time with family, and her hobbies include reading, hiking, collecting antique unicorns, and traveling.
Visit K.C. at : http://www.kctaylorauthor.com/

Barron Smith

Barron Smith is an Author, Poet, Screenwriter and Filmmaker from St. Louis, MO. He is a graduate of Lindenwood University with a bachelor’s and master’s degree in communication. While serving five years in the U.S. Navy, Barron started writing about his time aboard ship. “Sometimes I used to write just to ease the pain from being out to sea." Soon, those weekly entries became poetic masterpieces! Barron is the author of 16 books. (2 poetry books, 7 non-fiction books and 7 novels) “Sensible Words for Everyday Life. Don’t Worry It’s Just Poetry, 100 Quotes for Different Folks, books1and 2, My Music is Done. What’s Next? Does Corporate America Includes You? From Getting Shot to Taking Shots, and Your Choice, Three Options.” His novels are: “A Dirty Little Reason, A Dirty Little Reason Too, The Dirtiest Reason of All, His Wife or Death, The Prison Walls, An Opportune Killing and The Miranda Way.” 

Barron also wrote and directed several short films. “An Opportune Killing, The Longest Mile and A Reckless Victim.” In 2013, Barron teamed up with Block DVD to form a super film company called “So Block Films” Barron has written four full Featured movie scripts for sale entitled: “Victoria, An Opportune Killing, The Sound of Fear” and “A Dirty Little Reason.”
Visit Barron at : barronsmith.net

Eugene Pitchford

Eugene is a professor, scholar, leader, author, husband, father, and the #1 sports fan in America. He is passionate about helping educators become equipped to meet the challenging demands of being successful in a school environment. Eugene often speaks on urban education issues as well as motivational speaking for schools, community organizations, and parent groups. 

Visit Eugene at: https://www.facebook.com/eugene.pitchford

Register for the 16th Annual Great Midwest Book Fest here: https://bit.ly/gmbfreg2024

https://www.facebook.com/kevin.anderson.336

Kevin was born and raised in Milwaukee, Wi. He graduated with a Bachelors of Science degree. Mr.Bey is passionate about bringing his ideas into fruition. The Zeus concept was created to speak life into self and to remind self that the power is within.

Attendee panel closed