Festival 2009

The seeds for this network were planted in October 2007. The formation of this event was simple: to combat the lack of Black-owned media resources in the city of Richmond, Virginia. A plan was put together to combat this void that existed, not only in this particular city, but is being lost in EVERY Black community, little by little. Black Newspapers are folding, Black bookstores are closing their doors at an alarming rate, and Black magazines are being shoved to the wayside.

The first ever Black CapaCity Literary Arts Festival, presented by the Richmond division of the Universal Negro Improvement Association (UNIA), was held on April 19, 2008 at the Nubian Village Academy & Cultural Center, Richmond's premier independent Black school, and the state's ONLY existing independent Black school. The goals and purpose for the festival were simple:

1) To feature the works of African-descended authors, publishers, and distributors to the Black masses....
2) To connect aspiring writers with those that are already in that field....
3) To create a networking opportunity for those already in the field among themselves.

All three goals were reached. Not only that..we've kept the momentum going.

The 2009 edition for the Second Annual Black CapaCity Literary Arts Festival is now upon us. The festival will take place April 18, 2009 from 12pm-7pm in Richmond, Virginia. The Festival will be held at Muhammad's Mosque #24, 104 Cowardin Avenue (Southside section of Richmond). For those of you that are interested in participating in our festival, please go to our profile page, and check out our blog called "Vendor and Sponsorship Opportunities" . We have downloadable applications attached to the blog. All information about vending and sponsorship opportunities are detailed in that blog.

If you would like to join the movement, we can be contacted further at our email address at BCMC_Richmd@yahoo.com. Once you become a part of our mailing list, we will continue to periodically send you e-blasts informing you of other literary/cultural events that are going on across the country. For us, this is not just a one-time event....THIS IS A MOVEMENT!!!!

Knowledge is power, and information is the key.

ONE GOD..ONE AIM...ONE DESTINY!!!!!