2nd Annual San Antonio African American Book Festival - The Power of Black Literature

The Friends of Carver Library proudly present the 2nd Annual San Antonio African American Book Festival (SAAABF). We will feature 30 local African American Authors, show a presentation on the History of Carver Library and host a discussion titled “Why We Must Read & Write African American Literature”. There will also be a discussion hosted by our Keynote Author, nationally acclaimed, Dr. Peniel E. Joseph. This is an event you don’t want to miss! This year’s event will take place virtually via Zoom on Saturday February 20, 2021 from Noon – 3pm. To attend, you must register on EventBrite, by clicking here.

Dr. Peniel E. Joseph holds a joint professorship appointment at the LBJ School of Public Affairs and the History Department in the College of Liberal Arts at The University of Texas at Austin. He is also the founding director of the LBJ School’s Center for the Study of Race and Democracy (CSRD). His career focus has been on “Black Power Studies,” which encompasses interdisciplinary fields such as Africana studies, law and society, women’s and ethnic studies, and political science.

G.W. Carver Library opened in 1930 located at the Carver Community Center as a reading room in the Carver Community Auditorium & Library. It was the Colored Branch of the San Antonio Public Library system and the only place in San Antonio Black people were allowed access to books. Carver Library moved to its current location at 3350 E. Commerce Street in 1972 and has been a long standing pillar in San Antonio’s Black Community.

Carver Library is currently home to the city’s largest African American book collection, The Pan-African Festival, The San Antonio African American Book Festival and many other Events, Community Discussions and Organizations. There is a Children’s Library, Teen Center, LEARN Resource Center, Computer Lab, Meeting Room and a Black History Photograph Exhibit all within the walls of Carver.