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Here is my recap of the 2001 African American Book Club
Summit.
Thursday,
October 18, 2001
We
arrived in New Orleans on Thursday, October 18th in order
to make sure everything was in order for the Summit. New
Orleans printer "Creations of Art", owned by
Mr. Darren Vinett did all of our printing for the event.
The quality of the printing was only surpassed by the
quality of the service – the book bags, badge holders,
souvenir program booklets and tee shirts were all beautiful!
Friday,
October 19, 2001
On
Friday, October 19th the rest of the AABCS Staff arrived
(Mary, Willard, Jan and Lauretta) and so began the task
of assembling the "book/goodie" bags. Each AABCS
book bag was filled to capacity with:
Saturday,
October 20, 2001
On
Saturday, October 20th we finally had a chance to enjoy
New Orleans. We ate Lots of Great Food, did a little shopping.
We had the honor of meeting the Mayor of New Orleans,
Marc H. Morial. We received two proclamations from the
City Council and one proclamation from the City of New
Orleans.
On
Saturday night, we all went to the Afro American Book
Stop (the 2001 AABCS Official Book Seller) for an Author
Fest! There we enjoyed readings from Sara Freeman Smith,
A'Lelia Bundles, Eric Pete, Vincent Alexandria (who also
did a little vocals), Nathasha Brooks Harris, Pat G'Orge
Walker (aka Sister Betty), C. Kelly Robinson and featured
author Ms. J. California Cooper! This was really only
a preview of what was to come…
Sunday, October 21, 2001
On
Sunday morning we were finally ready to board the "MS
Inspiration." Since we had, SO MUCH STUFF, we wanted
to get to the pier early. We arrived at the pier around
10:00 am, and went through several security checks before
finally loaded the conference materials onboard. Afterwards,
we went back to the hotel to pick up our luggage and to
start our adventure.
Carnival
Embarkation Specialist, Ms. Yolanda Phillips assisted
us getting onboard in an expedient manner so we could
set up the registration desk to begin greeting the participants.
Registration lasted from 12:00 noon until 4:00 pm. At
4 pm we began the fun "life boat drill." After
the drill we were ready to set sail!
All
AABCS participants had Main Seating, that way we were
all able to meet and greet during our meals. After Dinner
we had our Welcome Aboard Party. Participants were introduced
to the staff, authors, and sponsors. Each participating
book club was recognized and the party was on. There was
an open (ok FREE) bar for one hour and Author Sara Freeman
Smith prepared a `get-to-know-ya' type" game.
That
night you could find everyone at the Disco, on the Promenade
or in the Casino, having a ball.
Participating
Authors were:
:
Front
Row:
Nancy Flowers Wilson, Sandra Ottey, Linda
Dominique Grosvesnor, L. Carol Lewis, Dr. Monica Anderson,
Sara Freeman Smith, Tonya Evans, Timmothy McCann, Bernice
McFadden, Kimberla Lawson Roby, J. California Cooper, A'Lelia
Bundles, Nathasha Brooks Harris, and Tananarive Due.
Staircase:
Vincent Alexandria, Marcus Major, Kevin McDonald,
Vincey Tyler, Eric Pete, C. Kelly Robinson, Wanda Thomas,
Steven Barnes, William Fredrick Cooper, Pat G'Orge Walker,
Vickie Andriews, Janice Robinson and Travis Hunter
Not
Shown Above:
Joyce Carol Thomas, Karen E. Quinones Miller
and Slim Lambright
Monday, October 22, 2001
Ms.
Henrietta Uku facilitated the great "book club"
discussion. Here participants discussed issues that are
encountered when trying to run a successful book club.
This was a great exchange of ideas. Ms. Uku's Book Club,
In The Company of My Sisters - New York, NY, prepared
a beautiful gift basket that was given away for a door
prize. Also, they presented Mary, Jan, and myself with
beautiful gift bags.
Nathasa
Brooks Harris presented a writing workshop, which was
followed by book readings and signing by: Nancy Flowers
Wilson, Fredrick Cooper, Eric Pete, Marcus Major and Travis
Hunter. Everyone was dressed to the nines for the Captain's
Formal Dinner, which was followed by an evening with author
Bernice McFadden. Ms. McFadden gave us all a preview of
her upcoming book, "This Bitter Earth."
Tuesday,
October 23, 2001
Authors
Steven Barnes and A'Lelia Bundles presented morning workshops.
Mr. Barnes gave us a crash course in plot development
and a great overview of the "Hero's Journey."
Ms. Bundles set the record straight, "Madam C. J.
Walker did not invent the straighten comb." Armed
with that knowledge, we now know what wonderful contributions
that she did make, and to top it off all workshop participants
were given a Madam CJ Walker Lapel Pin.
The
evening events consisted of signings by authors Vincent
R. Alexandria, L. Carol Lewis, Wanda Thomas, Joyce Carol
Thomas, Dr. Monica "Moe" F. Anderson (who is
too funny!), Vickie Andrews and C. Kelly Robinson. After
dinner everyone reconvened for a reading and signing by
talented author Kimberla Lawson Roby.
Wednesday,
October 24, 2001
We
finally made land! Montego Bay was HOT!! The water and
the mountains were really beautiful, and participants
all went their separate ways. Some people went on a party
boat, others went snorkeling, some went horseback riding,
but yours truly went SHOPPING!!!! It was a fun filled
day.
Once
we returned to the ship, we had our first of two open
book signings. Authors and participants gathered to take
photos, get books signed and to just have a great time.
Thursday,
October 25, 2001
Grand
Cayman Island is beautiful (also hot by the way.) The
ship had to dock at sea and we had to take a Tender Boat
to get to the island. Grand Cayman is very clean and very
polite. Again participants went separate ways to enjoy
the wonders of the island. Some went on a Pirate Ship,
others enjoyed water activates, some actually went to
a town named "Hell." Guess where I went? You
guessed it SHOPPING!!! (Can you tell I like to shop?)
The scenery was breath-taking and I enjoyed my brief stay
on the island.
When
we returned to the ship we had a special treat, new authors
Kevin McDonald and Sandra Ottey gave us a reading of their
books. Then we heard from authors Janice Robinson and
Linda Dominique Grovesnor.
Thursday
was our second formal dinner, before dessert our waiters
got everyone up on the floor for a little "Macarena."
You could see all the AABCS peeps dancing all over the
dining room! After our dinner break, we were thoroughly
entertained by the poetry of Mr. Vincent Tyler –
"I Thought About You Today…", The comedy
of Pat G'Orge Walker (Sister Agitate) and the sultry poetry
of Ms. Tonya Marie Evans (Lawyer by Day, Poet by Night.)
Can
you say Kareoke? Well AABCS participants truly can! We
heard "Just My Imagination," RESPECT",
The Greatest Love of All and much more all performed by
AABCS Authors and participants!
Friday,
October 26, 2001
We
were in Cozumel, Mexico for a fun day in the sun!!! The
day was simply beautiful (a little hot but with a wonderful
ocean breeze.) In addition to my usual shopping ritual,
I opted for an island tour (with the promise of stopping
at a local shoe store.) AABCS Participants took over "Carlos
and Charlie's" and the party was on! After a fun
filled day it was back to the "MS Inspiration."
Once
back onboard cleaned up and fed, we were had the treat
of a lifetime. Ms. J. California Cooper lit up the room
and transformed into her characters right before our eyes!
We were laughing so hard we were in tears. This was one
of the true highlights of this trip.
Late
Friday night, the AABCS was well represented in the Carnival
Talent Show, but Ms. Tonya Marie Evans and Mr. Vincent
Alexandria!
Saturday,
October 27, 2001
Ms.
Sara Freeman Smith presented the first morning workshop.
This was followed by a legal workshop presented by Tonya
Marie Evans and her beautiful mother Susan Borden Evans.
We were inspired, informed and empowered with knowledge.
The afternoon was wonderful; Ms. Karen E. Quinones Miller
and Ms. Slim Lambright charmed the crowd with their wonderful
wit and talent. Next, the men of AABCS took the floor,
Mr. Timmothy McCann Facilitated the panel discussion "The
Influx of Contemporary Fiction Penned by Male Novels."
This discussion was really off the hook!
The
Queen of horror, Ms. Tananarive Due took the floor and
did a reading from her book "The Living Blood."
The last Romeo himself, Mr. Timmothy McCann was next up,
with "Until", "Always" and "Forever."
Finally,
it was our last evening, and with mixed emotions we signed
each other programs, took lots of pictures, purchased
a whole `lotta' books, and bid each other farewell.
I
cannot possibly tell you everything that we did it was just
so awesome! I hope I did not leave out anyone's name, if
I did blame it on my age, not my heart! This was truly a
wonderful and historic event.
If
you missed it, not to worry, we will do it all again next
October at the 3rd Annual AABCS. It will be held October
20th departing from Miami for San Juan, Puerto Rico, St.
Thomas, Virgin Islands, and St. Croix, Virgin Island. I
hope to see you there!!!
That's
all from your 2001 AABCS Reporter,
Pam
Walker-Williams
http://www.summitatsea.com
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