THE AFRICAN AMERICAN PAVILION HEADS TO WASHINGTON, DC FOR THEIR 3RD RECORD-BREAKING YEAR AT BOOKEXPO AMERICA

March, 2006, National BooxExpo America, one of the largest book trade exhibits in the world, provides independent African American book publishers, self publishers, authors, Black Interest Imprints at major publishing houses, distributors, literary agents, publicists, librarians and bookstore owners exposure to more than 80,000 book buyers and booksellers from across the globe. Organizers of the African American Pavilion at BookExpo America are finalizing plans for the event, to take place at the Washington, DC Convention Center, May 19th through 21st, 2006.

Now in its third year, the African American Pavilion at BEA is the marketplace for thousands of African American publishing industry professionals. Influential exhibitors and book buyers form a community of unprecedented strength. “The African American Pavilion is a growing presence at BEA,” says exhibitor, Wade Hudson, President of Just Us Books, “There will be great opportunities to learn, share, educate, sell and network and it’s making black book history a vital, visible part of the 105-year history of BookExpo America/American Booksellers Association.”

The 4,000 square feet of exhibit space will showcase African American books, authors, products and publishers. In addition to the business opportunities the pavilion provides, festivities include music, food, refreshments and more. Karibu Books will sponsor a welcoming reception, featuring authors, poets, and such speakers as W. Paul Coates, CEO, Black Classic Press; Simba Sana, CEO, Karibu Books; Brother Yao, COO, Karibu Books; Heather Covington, CEO, Disilgold.com. Pat Schroeder, President and CEO of the Association of American Publishers will give the opening day remarks.

The African American Pavilion reception and awards program will celebrate the achievements of these African American publishing professionals: Independent African American Publisher of the Year; Self Publisher of the Year; Christian Book Publisher of the Year; Bookstore of the Year; and Distributor of theYear. Two industry professionals will be honored with the first annual Glenn Thompson Lifetime Achievement Award and Toni Parker Author of the Year Award.

Continuing a Nearly 20-year tradition, Clara Villarosa and Emma Rogers (Black Images Bookstore), Co-Directors of the African American Program for Bookselling Professionals will set the pace with their pre-opening day Thursday luncheon/reception and full day of workshops and panel discussions for all book industry professionals.

Licensing distribution and sales success stories have emerged from the roster of African American Pavilion exhibitors since 2004. Relentless Aaron, Owner of Relentless Content, in a recent New York Times interview, was credited with getting his four-book deal with St. Martin’s Press to his discovery as a publisher/author/exhibitor at last year’s African American Pavilion at BookExpo America. While exhibiting in the Pavilion last year, Tony Rose met Japanese Publisher, Hiroshi Sano of Transworld Japan, Inc. and made a multi book Japanese language publishing deal.

The list of exhibitors expands each year and is growing rapidly for 2006. The 2004 and 2005 exhibitors included African American Books On Tour; Red Sea/Africa World Communications Group, Inc.; Austin Publishing/Kaden Publishing; Blacast Entertainment; Color Bridge, LLC; BlackBoard Bestsellers; Black Issues Book Review; Black Print Publishing; FYOS Entertainment; Genesis Press; Hilton Publishing; Just Like Me Books; Just Us Books; Literally Speaking Press; Mirror-Gibbs Publications; Q-Boro Books; Relentless Content; Strebor Books International; Third World press; Urban Ministries; and Walk Worthy Press.

The African American Publishers Pavilion was founded in 2004 by Niani Colon, Associate Publisher, Genesis Press; Adrienne Ingram, Associate Publisher, Black Issues Book Review and Tony Rose, Publisher/CEO Amber Communications Group, Inc.

For further information on the African American Pavilion and BookExpo America, please visit: www.bookexpoamerica.com or www.bibookreview.com Black Issues Book Review (March-April 2006 issue).

For Exhibiting information, please contact Jason Krulewitz at jkrulewitz@reedexpo.com

Any questions, thoughts or suggestions, please e-mail us at amberbk@aol.com

Press contact:

Tony Rose, Publisher/CEO
Amber Communications Group, Inc.
www.amberbooks.com

Adrienne Ingrum, Associate Publisher
Black Issues Book Review
www.bibookreview.com