The first of what is to be an annual Black Authors Festival, a celebration of Black writers from around the country, will be held on Saturday at noon at the Breakwater Yacht Club in Sag Harbor. The festival was founded by Verdel Jones, a writer and talk show host, and Darlene Williams, a writer, educator, and business owner, with the aim of "empowering people of all ages to pursue their dreams of authorship."
The festival's honorees are Kacy Duke, a celebrity personal trainer; Steve Perry, a writer, educator, and television personality; Patricia A. Turner, a professor and folklorist; Nicole Bolin, a stylist; Ni'Cola Mitchell, a writer and entrepreneur; Vivian L. King, an author and communications consultant; Thelma Sias, a retired business executive, and Regina Perry, a writer and community leader.
In addition to the honoring ceremony, the festival will offer food by Marc Bynum, a three-time champion on Food Network's "Chopped"; music by the Never Lose Touch Band; readings from select authors; "chess and cigars" with Maurice Williams, the author of "Bastard: From Prisoner to Professor," and a fashion show and vendor tables.
V.I.P. tickets are $250. A separate after-party with D.J. Belal will happen at 4 p.m., for which tickets are $50. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Barack Obama Green Charter School in Plainfield, N.J., and Share Inform Enlighten, a nonprofit with a mission is to empower families with information and resources through educational programs.
