Evening
Dialogue and Book Signing with Nana Camille Yarbrough
Afri-Ware Inc. invites you to attend an evening
dialogue and book signing with Chicago born author and esteemed elder
Nana Camille Yarbrough on Saturday, July 11th , 2009 at 7p.m. at
Afri-Ware, 266 W. Lake St., Oak Park, IL.
This year, 2009 observes the 30th
anniversary of the release of Ms. Yarbrough’s seminal book Cornrows, a
publication that highlights the importance of the African American
family. The author is a much honored person and is a well-accomplished
writer and performance poet. In addition to Cornrows, Ms Yarbrough has
written and published three other books for African American Children
namely: Tamika and the Wisdom Ring, and Shimmershine Queen (see also www.ancestorhouse.net). As a result
of Ms. Yarborough’s advocacy for familes and children, she has been
recognized by many intuitions and communities across the US. Most
recently she was an honoree at Medger Evers College Brooklyn.
Afri-Ware has served the community for over 16 years , thirteen of
which are in the Oak Park community, and has become an institution
valued for it’s positive contribution to the community. Afri-Ware is
very proud to be hosting a signing with Ms. Yarborough. As as a result,
we are launching a special children’s program entitled Donate a book to
a Child Program TM. This program involves asking members of the
community to promote reading by purchasing and donating a book(s) to
individual children, institutions and schools. The launch of this
program represents Afri-Ware’s tribute to the lasting legacy of CAMILLE
YARBOUROUGH while also promoting reading and literacy as a necessary
part of children’s lives.
It’s against this background that we invite you as a special guest to
be part of this historic event. We look forward to hearing from you and
hope that you make every attempt to attend, for more information or to
R.S.V.P please call Afri-Ware at 708-524-8398.
Nzingha Nommo
Inner Light Radio Interview. Please click to activate.
SPECIAL THANKS FOR SUPPORT OF AFRI-WARE FUND
RAISER!!!
The community has been ABSOLUTELY phenomenal
in supporting Afri-Ware for our April 25th fundraiser held at WVON
radio station!! The music, conversation and ambiance were filled with
LOVE and HAPPINESS!!! I give thanks for your well wishes, kind remarks,
compliments, encouragement and financial contributions. Your outpouring
and testimonials have been re-invigorating and touching. All things are
truly possible with the community's support!! You also got very
creative as well in how you showed that support and I am so
appreciative for this. The community is filled with a wealth of
resources and what an honor it has been to be the recipient of this.
Afri-Ware moves, grows and is sustained because of your continued
encouragement and love.
Accomplishments include:
We have succeeded in raising awareness about the
state of Black bookstores to the point where some have even started
asking authors the critical question of whether they've done a
booksigning at a Black-owned bookstore. Others are now asking whether
their book clubs can order thru a Black-owned bookstore.
We have also reconnected with many on our email
list by activating a phone bank to regularly share this vital
information; for there were many we called that did not know that 5
bookstores had closed in 3 years.
An updated list of Black-owned bookstores will
remain on our website so those in the Chicago-area can more easily
locate us.
We have reached about 1/3 of our financial
goals.
We will build upon all of these accomplishments while continuing to
devise creative ways to make sure that our events/activities are
designed to equally give access to the maximum number of people while
easing the financial expenses on the bookstore. We welcome your ideas
and feedback as we further settle into this balanced way of doing
business. Maintaining a viable business requires a consistent flow of
new ideas to fuel its evolution and best reflect the needs of the
community. We highly value and respect your input.
SPECIAL THANKS to CLIFF KELLEY (WVON / www.wvon.com
), HERB KENT(V103/ www.coolgentninelives.com
), D'ERANIA (jazz band / www.d-erania.com
), TASTE OF TEMPTATION (catering - call store for info), and Blue Delta
H2O (alkaline water) for your generous magnanimous gifts; you truly
epitomize the Black-on-Black LOVE ideal.
If you were unable to attend this exciting event, you may still make
(non-tax deductible) donations at Afri-Ware by calling 708-524-8398 or
email to afriware@aol.com.
Again, many many many thanks for all your contributions. You are the
greatest!!
Afri-Ware, 266 W.
Lake St., Oak Park, 708-524-8398.
Visit our
website WWW.AFRIWARE.NET to view our "TOP 10 BOOKS
RECOMMENDED FOR BLACK FOLKS" list. Build your library for the
generations to come with these classic MUST READS. We also have a complete 1 page list of books available on our
website for your longterm use. Books that give honor to our ancestral
legacies, give insight into our cultural responsibility, and, reflect
the gifts given to the world, make reading a healing and liberating
tonic for the mind. Please feel free to ask our friendly staff about a
synopsis of the books to assist in making your decision.