Detroit's Black Star Community Bookstore Celebrates 7th Anniversary

Open Forum Co-Hosts (left to right), Abayomi Azikiwe, PANW Editor, Titilayo Akanke & Malik Yakini. Photo taken at WDTR, 90.9 FM in Detroit (Nov. 25, 2001)
Originally uploaded by panafnewswire

For Immediate Release

Date: June 28, 2007
Contact: Ebony Roberts
Phone: (313) 300-4347
Email: [email protected]

Black Star Community Bookstore 7th Anniversary Celebration

On Saturday, July 14, 2007, Black Star Community Bookstore will celebrate its seventh anniversary in the bookselling business with an outdoor festival for all ages. An all-day event, which will begin at noon, the celebration will feature activities for children and adults, including live performances by several local artists including jazz band

In the Tradition and the up and coming conscious hip hop collective Power Movement; storytelling by artist Sumarah Smith and Shrine of the Black Madonna’s Bishop Nkenge Abi; face painting; arts and crafts; a poetry set sponsored by Broadside Press; a sidewalk book sale; a fashion show by House of Bastet; book signings by children’s authors Sandra Epps and Betty Barton and a special book signing with Sam Greenlee, author of the Black classic “The Spook Who Sat by the Door”; and much, much more. Much of the festivities will take place in the public lot at the southeastern corner of Livernois and Outer Drive or inside the bookstore, which is located at 19410 Livernois.

Black Star Community Bookstore opened in July 2000 with the hope of contributing to the growing consciousness in Detroit’s Black community about our history, culture, condition and paths to liberation. Named in honor of the various institutions created by the Honorable Marcus Garvey and the Universal Negro Improvement Association, Black Star Community Bookstore is not simply a business but a community institution. In addition to our primary activity of selling books, we are proud to have hosted book signings, poetry readings and lectures by many local and nationally known scholars, poets, writers and activists. This year is our fifth year doing an outdoor festival, and we look forward each year to celebrating our anniversary with the community.

On Friday, July 13 from 7pm-9pm, we will kick-off our anniversary weekend with a special lecture by Professor Griff, Minister of Information for Public Enemy, one of hip hop music’s first conscious rap groups. Some consider Professor Griff controversial. Others know him to be a revealer of truth, dropping knowledge of African history and culture wherever he travels. Admission is $10 for the lecture. All activities on Saturday are free.

Understanding the challenges of owning a business in such uncertain financial times and committed to making a positive literary contribution to the Black community, Black Star Community Bookstore is proud to celebrate such an important milestone. We invite the community to join us.

Black Star Community Bookstore is located at 19410 Livernois in Detroit. Call (313) 863-2665 for more information.