African-American Programming to Provide Opportunities to Network

This year's African-American Programming for Book Industry Professionals at BookExpo America (BEA) will include authors, prominent industry figures, and panels created to assist stores in increasing their profit margins. "African-American booksellers will have an opportunity to meet and network," said Emma Rodgers, owner of Black Images Book Bazaar in Dallas, who organized the programming with Clara Villarosa. "This is the only time that we are together as a group, so we take advantage of the conference to exchange information and ideas." The programming is set for Thursday, June 2, at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York City.

The day's events will begin with an Opening Session and Luncheon (Room 1E 12-13) at 11:30 a.m., when Villarosa will welcome attendees. At the luncheon, which is sponsored by Jump at the Sun, an imprint of Hyperion Books for children, there will be a presentation designed to help booksellers sell children's literature to institutions and families.

The luncheon will be followed by a Keynote Address at 1:00 p.m. (Room 1E 11) given by author Walter Dean Myers and illustrator Christopher Myers. They have written and illustrated young adult and children's books separately and collaboratively. Recent collaborative titles include Blues Journey (Holiday House) and Harlem (Scholastic), a Caldecott Honor Book.

The afternoon's programming will feature two workshops, both geared towards boosting the bottom line. Rodgers told BTW that they were designed to "provide information to improve our performance as booksellers."

From 2:15 p.m. - 3:45 p.m., moderator Vanesse Lloyd-Sgambati of the Philadelphia public relations firm The Literary, will lead the panel "How to Sell Children's Books." The workshop will enhance booksellers' ability to select and sell books appropriate for standard, accelerated, reluctant, and remedial readers. Joining her on the panel will be: Author Irene Smalls, (Jonathan and His Mommy, Little, Brown); author Jacqueline Woodson, (Miracle's Boys, Speak); Bernette Ford, CEO of Color-Bridge Books; and Michele Echols, a literacy consultant for nonprofit organizations.

From 4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m., Felicia Wintons, bookseller of Food For Thought in Tampa, Florida, will moderate the panel " Remainder Books to Increase Your Bottom Line -- Purchasing, pricing, and positioning of publisher overstock books."

Following the panel, there will be a reception from 5:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. Rodgers told BTW, "The closing reception will provide opportunities for us to meet with... publishers and distributors to see what their new lines and products are, and to discover any special programs, and incentives available during the summer, fall, and coming year." --Karen Schechner