CONTACT:

Vincent Alexandria

raychone1@yahoo.com, www.b2bls.com, www.vincentalexandria.com, (816) 914-1560

Dr. B.

drb@gomastertheday.com, www.gomastertheday.com, www.myspace.com/imjazz,

(443) 935-1739

Houston Independent School District presents - Brother 2 Brother Literary Symposium to Convene in Houston. Texas!

---On
         Friday, Novermber 21st, (8:30-2:30 pm) & Saturday, November 22nd, (10-3:00 pm) 2008, African-American
         fiction writers from across the nation will meet in Houston, Texas for the country’s Fifth Annual Brother 2 Brother
         Literary Symposium at TSU University, HPE Gymnasium, 3100 Cleburne, Houston, TX 77004

Women are a vital part of this literary event.

Over twenty-five of the nation’s top African-American authors will be discussing the importance of literacy and reading with the community.

Keynote Speakers:

Friday – Dynamic Speaker and Clergy, Pastor Rudy of St. John’s Church.

Saturday – Educational Pioneer, Bill Grace of the WEB DuBois Learning Center.

Featured Authors & Moderators:

Authors:
Travis Hunter, Omar Tyree, Vincent Alexandria, Tracy Grant, William Cooper, Steve Perry, Nancy Gilliam, Victor McGlothin, Clarence Jackson, Conrad Prophet, Andrew Ryan, Marc Lacy, Dionne Character, Toya Evans, Dr. Moe Anderson, Nina Foxx, Thomas Brooks, Cherry Wood, Tina Brooks McKinney, Wayne Croomes, Sydelle Thomas, Dwight Fryer, MW Moore, Tiffany Cherry, Hotep, Phaedra Ridley, Alana Sanders, Willie Frank, Cheryl Donovan, Chris Howell, Troy Johnson, Angela Anderson, Dreason Ruckett, Dr. John Codwell, DaShawn Taylor, Sheldon Stovall, Denise Campbell and more to be announced!

Moderators:

Dr. Allen Barnam Sr., Tia Ross, Janie Bess, Sybil Wilkes of the Tom Joyner Morning Show, Mike Payne, Sarah Freeman-Smith, Dana Pittman, Enrique Wiggins and Stephanie Williams.

Most African-American fiction writers recognize the deficiency of African-American men and women reading fiction today.  At most book signings held by African-American male fiction writers, the majority of the book buyers are women. It’s time that we got together and talk about that issue.  We want to positively influence our community and help them understand that reading and literacy is the key to future success and the development of our children’s intellect.  We will discuss why woman find it necessary to read and why men don’t and look at the correlation of reading, literacy, and success in building your dreams and economic future.  Children copy what they see their parents and guardians doing, so if we read; they will read.

Free and open to the public, the symposium will target African-American and minority readers from age eight and up. Topics for discussion will include;

“Why is the drop out rate 50% for Black males and 37% for Black females?”, “Is education important and necessary?”, “How do we work with the school to get the most for our children?”, “Do authors have a responsibility to the community?”, “What Are Life’s Alternatives When You Can’t Read?”, “The Role of the Parent in Education,” & “The Good, Bad, and Ugly of the Music Industry.”

Make no mistake this is nothing short of historic.  The community will want to attend just to be in the same room with so many nationally published African-American writers.  There will also be free writing workshops and discussions on how to get parents creatively involved with their children’s reading and school.  Books will be given away free at this event.

The Fifth Annual Brother
         2 Brother Literary Symposium will take place Friday, November 21st, (8:30-2:30 pm) & Saturday, November 22nd,  (10-3:00
         pm) 2008 at TSU University, HPE Gymnasium, 3100 Cleburne, Houston, TX 77004.

For more information visit the symposium website at: www.b2bls.com or www.vincentalexandria.com. Contact: raychone1@yahoo.com - 816-914-1560.