Power of the written word

​A new book festival to support and inspire Toledo authors, The Black Heritage Book Festival, will hold its first event on Saturday, February 21. Novelists and traditional authors won’t be the only talents on display—a wealth of talented presenters, such as a comic book publisher, a world-class slam poet, and a journalist will be on hand to talk about issues such as literacy, libraries, and the impact on the black community.

Prolific author Philana Marie Boles will present on her books, Blame It On Eve, Glitz, and In The Paint. Boles is also co-founder of Ahluve Communications and owner of the P. Marie Talent Agency.

Comic-book publisher Victor Dandridge is a Columbus native who has helped bring a new voice to comic book shops with his publishing company Vantage:Inhouse Productions. While also known for producing pixelated 8-bit style art, he has published critically acclaimed comics such as Origins Unknown, and introduces comics to the classroom with his U Cre-8 Comics initiative.

T. Miller is another diversely talented presenter, a powerful force in the slam poetry scene as an artist and producer. Miller speaks to universities around the country, publishes her own poetry collections, and is currently working on a documentary.  

Journalist Terreece Clarke will speak about social media. She has written for national newspapers and magazines, and her firm, Clarke Columbus Counseling, assists with writing consultation.

Participate as a vendor at The Black Heritage Book Fest here.  11am-5pm Saturday, February 21. Braden United Methodist Church, 4725 Dorr St.

​A new book festival to support and inspire Toledo authors, The Black Heritage Book Festival, will hold its first event on Saturday, February 21. Novelists and traditional authors won’t be the only talents on display—a wealth of talented presenters, such as a comic book publisher, a world-class slam poet, and a journalist will be on hand to talk about issues such as literacy, libraries, and the impact on the black community.

Prolific author Philana Marie Boles will present on her books, Blame It On Eve, Glitz, and In The Paint. Boles is also co-founder of Ahluve Communications and owner of the P. Marie Talent Agency.

Comic-book publisher Victor Dandridge is a Columbus native who has helped bring a new voice to comic book shops with his publishing company Vantage:Inhouse Productions. While also known for producing pixelated 8-bit style art, he has published critically acclaimed comics such as Origins Unknown, and introduces comics to the classroom with his U Cre-8 Comics initiative.

T. Miller is another diversely talented presenter, a powerful force in the slam poetry scene as an artist and producer. Miller speaks to universities around the country, publishes her own poetry collections, and is currently working on a documentary.  

Journalist Terreece Clarke will speak about social media. She has written for national newspapers and magazines, and her firm, Clarke Columbus Counseling, assists with writing consultation.

Participate as a vendor at The Black Heritage Book Fest here.  11am-5pm Saturday, February 21. Braden United Methodist Church, 4725 Dorr St.