2:00 pm - 5:00 pm – Art Circle: Afrocentric Coloring Time! (Hosted by Precious Chambers)
Open coloring time, coloring materials provided. This is for kids of all ages who enjoy coloring. They will be provided positive Black cultural images and people with crayons for all of the beautiful Black skin tones in the Diaspora. Plus talk to Crystal Connor about her children and young adult novel, My First Nightmare! Hear her read from it. Ask her questions about the book and about monsters! (All ages welcome, but best for children 12 and under.)
2pm – Welcome Speech (Amy Holloway)
Former librarian at the San Francisco African American Historical and Cultural Society Amy Holloway gives a talk on te theme A Phoenix Rising about how the Conference we started in 1996 has risen from the ashes after a decade in hiatus and introduces our honored guests, Linda Addison, Crystal Connor, Kai Leakes, Kevin E Myrick and Simon Says.
2:15 pm – Why Do People Tell Stories about Monsters? (Moderator: Crystal Connor, Other Panelists: Kai Leakes, Linda Addison)
From R.L Stine’s Goosebumps to Stephen King’s IT, scary stories have always captured our imagination. Some scary stories like Tales from the Hood, Jordan Peele’s Get Out and Us are scary stories by and about black folks. Why do these scary stories have such an enduring appeal? Join juvenile horror author Crystal Connor, author of My 1st Nightmare, Linda Addison, the first Africa American to win the coveted Bram Stoker Award, the highest honor in Horror Writing, and paranormal fiction writer Kai Leakes for this fascinating topic. (PG-13)
3:00 pm – Making Beautiful Music, Movies, and Books (Moderator: Kevin Myrick, other panelists Linda Addison, Kai Leakes, Crystal Connor)
You know that technology is out there. You want to learn how to use it make movies, television shows, radio podcasts, music, books and more, but where do you start ? How do you get in a good art school or internship program? How do Youtube’s new rules for children’s programs work? How can teen podcasters and Youtube stars stay safe? How can you tell a reputable publisher or agent from a scam? (PG-13)
3:45 pm – Beyond Us Short Film Festival & Talk (hosted by Crystal Connor with special guests Kai Leakes and Linda Addison)
Horror hostess, author and movie reviewer Crystal Connor hosts a series of short horror films appropriate for ages 12+, and talks to the audience along with her guests about the rise in Black-centered horror films in the wake of Jordan Peele’s Get Out and Us. Why is Black Representation Important? How does having a Black protagonist change who is the hero and who is the monster in films? (PG-13)
4:45pm - Closing Remarks on the theme “A Phoenix Rising” (Kevin E. Myrick)
Back in 1996 Kevin E. Myrick of Synergy-Moon, then representing Frisco Studios, helping to establish the audio production programming and musical track. Now he works with young people in the music recording field. What has changed since 1996?
ELL
Language support may be available, please contact for more details.
Special Needs
Extended services for patrons with disabilities available. Please apply online.