ST. PETERSBURG — In support of National Black Business Month in August, Urban Exposure Inc., is producing the Tampa Bay Black Authors and Business Showcase Aug. 9. The event is free to the public from 9-4 p.m. at the St. Petersburg Museum of History and is planned to target 400-500 attendees.
Sharon Tubbs, an author who worked for 17 years as a reporter and editor at the former St. Petersburg Times (now Tampa Bay Times), is facilitating the “Author’s Workshop.” A call for authors, vendors and sponsors is open for registration until July 14.
The event will promote literacy among all ages, especially in the black community, and showcase black authors and businesses that support local literacy initiatives. The Literacy Council of St. Petersburg is a partner in the event. The Showcase supports the focus of National Black Business Month, which is to encourage consumers to buy from local black businesses in August and beyond.
Several authors have committed to appear at the event:
- Randy Lewis is the head of youth initiatives at the Pinellas County Urban League and is the author of “Xbox, Hip Hop & Dreadlocks.” His book introduces, analyzes and develops strategies geared toward improving the ability to approach, communicate and interact with youth on a positive level. Lewis will look at three factors that influence today’s youth: music, media and peers.
- Alice Favors is the writer of six children’s books including “Men God Expects More.”
- Jaden Armani was in corporate America for more than 20 years studying colleague interactions. His book “Cubicle Diaries” is a collective autobiography of different stories combined into one.
- Tracy Darity is an author of three books including “Love…Like Snow In Florida on A Hot Summer Day.”
