Save the Date: August 24-26, 2012
Tulisoma, Swahili for "we read", is a community-based literary festival promoting literacy and the arts in the South Dallas/Fair Park area. Founded in 2003, by former City Councilman Leo V. Chaney, Jr., and Dr. Harry Robinson, President and CEO of the African American Museum, the goal of Tulisoma is to create a dynamic event tailored to engage local families, avid readers, aspiring writers and visitors to the city. Councilwoman Carolyn R. Davis recognizes the importance of reading and literacy and has worked to continue the tradition.
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Carleen Brice is author of the novels Orange Mint and Honey a #1 Denver Post best-seller and Essence Magazine Recommended Read - and Children of the Waters, which AOL Black Voices says "sparkles." The Lifetime Movie "Sins of the Mother" based on Orange Mint and Honey won the 2011 NAACP Image Award for Outstanding TV Movie. more »
Carole Boston Weatherford was Baltimore-born and raised. She composed her first poem in first grade and dictated the verse to her mother. Her father, a high school printing teacher, printed some of her early poems on index cards. What a thrill! Since her literary debut with Juneteenth Jamboree in 1995, Carole’s books have received many literary honors. Moses: When Harriet Tubman Led her People to Freedom (2006), more »
Shella Gillus fell in love with the arts as a child. By age ten, she wrote her first chapter book, a three-act play and performed in several theatrical shows. During her teenage years, she penned and performed in plays for her local church and organized a series of summer self-esteem workshops for underprivileged youth in South Tucson. more »
Before her affluent life as an NFL wife, Dorothy Johnson Newton was raised in poverty by her mother and stepfather near New Orleans, the oldest girl of six children. Dorothy put herself through college on an athletic scholarship and her brother from her biological father is Mike Johnson, who played eight years for the NFL’s Cleveland Browns, so it is not surprising that she ended up more »
The Reverend Dr. Michael W. Waters is the founder and Senior Pastor of Joy Tabernacle African Methodist Episcopal (A.M.E.) Church in Dallas, Texas. Named among America’s top young leaders by EBONY Magazine (April 2009), Dr. Waters is widely regarded as an emerging leader. The author of a celebrated blog for The Huffington Post, Dr. Waters’ keen insights and commentary have been engaged by such popular media outlets as The NBC Nightly News, National Public Radio, the British Broadcasting Corporation, and The Associated Press. more »
Dr. W. Marvin Dulaney is Associate Professor and Chair of the History Department at the University of Texas, Arlington. He teaches American History, African American History, Public History, and the History of the American Civil Rights Movement in UTA’s undergraduate and graduate History programs. more »
Professor Griff is an internationally renowned educator, writer, producer, musician, platinum recording/spoken word artist, lecturer and foundingmember of the pioneering and revolutionary hip hop group Public Enemy. Author of the popular music business guide: Musick Bizness R.I.P. (Resource Information Publication), more »
These two national best-selling authorsAshley & Jaquavis hit the scene at the ripe age of 17 when New York Times Best-selling author Carl Weber discovered them. During their freshman year in college they both received publishing deals and have not looked back since. With smash hit novel The Cartel, they have solidified themselves as two of the best in their genre, together or apart. With a roster of 14 novels published and hefty ghostwriting resume they have made a successful career for themselves. more »