Katura J. Hudson

For Black Business Month. In honor of the entrepreneurs and creators in Black book publishing.  And in memory of my friend Raven, whose many gifts included writing. I’m holding her book Padre , which is about the time she spent in Côte d’Ivoire as a Peace Corps volunteer. Photo: Stephan Hudson Photography Photo description: Katura is wearing a gray t-shirt that reads: BLACK authors, editors, illustrators, agents, publishers, distributors and bookstores. In her hands is a paperback copy of Padre, by Raven Moore.

Author-illustrator Rashad Malik Davis had the generous idea to celebrate Black entrepreneurs in a new IG Live series called  25 Days of Buying Black. He invited me to join and to my surprise, I agreed!  We chatted about writing and marketing, favorite books, and supporting Black-owned businesses. Somehow we ended up talking about getting our scalps greased too. It was a good time! You can watch the replay on his IG.

It was great to be back at Weeksville in Brooklyn for another wonderful event - this time Well-Read Black Girl's first ever Family Day.  I've been going to the Well-Read Black Girl Festival since its first year, and it's always an amazing and affirming experience. So I was beyond excited to learn that founder Glory Edim and her team were expanding the event to reach our community's youngest readers, and happy to participate as a featured author. In addition to author readings, we enjoyed storytelling, face painting, music and of course lots of books.  My mom, Cheryl Willis Hudson, was also a featured author and we got to hang out with award-winning author and friend Rita Williams-Garcia, so you know it was a great day!

The perfect end to Black History Month 2018 - in Harlem at the I, Too Arts Collective gala to raise funds to help continue Langston Hughes' legacy and preserve his Harlem home. The gala was held in the home Langston Hughes owned, wrote in, lived in for more than 20 years. Yes, I took a bathroom selfie. (It was Langston's bathroom!!) My mom and I visited the upstairs library and took another selfie, this time holding the tribute we did to the legendary poet/activist - a book also named Langston's Legacy.  That typewriter on the mantle piece - it's one that Langston Hughes actually used! There's so much important history here and it was an honor to be in that space.  Learn more about I, Too Arts Collective’s work and how you can support at - itooarts.com

I’ve been going for years but February 3, 2018 was my first time attending the African American Children’s Bookfair in Philadelphia as a featured author.  I had a great time signing books, talking to kids and connecting with fellow Black kidlit creators. This bookfair is in its 26th year and it’s so important that we have this event and support it. Thank you and congrats Vanesse Lloyd-Sgambati on another great event.