PRESS RELEASE: Dallas/Fort Worth Literary SoulFEST 2009

Online, September 4, 2009 (Newswire.com) - Fort Worth, TX(Sept 4, 2009) -- September is National Literacy Month. To celebrate National Literacy Month, Literary Arts Connection of Texas (L.A.C.) in collaboration with The Dock Bookshop will host the DFW Literary SoulFEST, September 24-27, 2009. The goal of this event is to advocate, promote, and celebrate the literary arts and literacy and bring community awareness to issues concerning our youth, health, environment, and economy as well as support the mission of L.A.C.

The mission of Literary Arts Connection is to support literacy initiatives, promote reading and writing and inspire community action that will connect people, improve lives and help protect our environment. Through the DFW Literary SoulFEST, L.A.C. will continue to support Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison in promoting the significance of literacy in Texas with the "Reading is BIG In Texas" campaign.

The festival highlights include: kick-off events September 24 and 25th - Men in the Middle by Southern Christian Leadership Conference Tarrant County Chapter, Author Meet & Greet and a slumber party hosted by New York Times bestselling author Mary B. Morrison - at the Dock Bookshop; Literary Parade starting at Ella Mae Shamblee Library located in the historic district of Fort Worth; and other festivities - Author Showcase, business expo, guest speakers, live entertainment, workshops and seminars, green initiatives, storytelling, kidzone, food and more on Saturday, September 26th from 10am-6pm and Sunday 11am-6pm at the Fort Worth Event Center.

The literary world is so broad that this four day event will attract a wide array of authors, publishers, writers, artists, book clubs, avid readers, scholars, families, students, churches and businesses. Proceeds from this event will benefit the International Book Project in Cameroon and Ghana as well as community-based literacy projects.

Sponsors for this event include The Dock Bookshop, JimAustinOnline, Fort Worth Event Center, Rollerworld, Fort Worth Black News, Riggins Construction, Texas Commission of the Arts, AirJamSports, and TriTV.

Participating local, regional and national authors from diverse genres include Dr Monica Anderson, Reshonda Tate Billingsley, Anna Black, Anthony Maurice Brown, Cheryl Lacey Donovan, B Echols, Attorney Bobbie Edmonds, Lorraine Elzia, Terreni Griffin, Kariem Abdul Haqq, Dr. Stan Harris, Pastor Renee Hornbuckle, Dr Steven Hymon, Junichi Lockett Jr, Joyce McCoo, Gretta Moore, Mary B Morrison, Tameka Newhouse, Francis Ray, Maurice Skillern, Natia Steans, Pat Simmons, Gerald Walker, Lisa Watson, and Don Willis.

Books Clubs include African American on the Move Book Club, Black Pearls Keepin It R.E.A.L., Books and Beignets (BAB) Book Club Daughters of Africa Book Club, Dine & Dissect Book Club, Divas Read 2, Divas w/A Plan, Driven Divas' Book Club Literary Divas Book Club, Phil 4:6 Prayer & Book Club, Readperiod, ReMemories Literary Club, Sapphire Sisters Book Club, Sistas On Books, and Sisterhood of the Traveling Books.

Special performances by Rochelle Rabouin, Irungu and African drummers, Bold Voice Ministries, Dezyne, Tabitha Roy, Choz'n, Griot/Storyteller Melody Afi Bell, Comedian Thomas Holmes, National Performance Poets and a host of other artists and musicians.

Literacy and Literary Supporters include Texas State Representative Marc Veasey, Fort Worth City Councilwoman Kathleen Hicks, RadioOne, SCLC Tarrant County Chapter, WeekendBooksTV.com, A Phillip Randolph Organization, Big Brothers Big Sisters, African American News & Issues, Black Young Professionals of Dallas, Dallas Metroplex Council of Black Alumni Associations, Fort Worth Mustangs, Muhammad Mosque #52, Nappiology, Unlimited Sports & Education, Rearing Our Own To Succeed (ROOTS) Academy, and Blackhawks Athletic and Academic Association, and U-niq Gymnastics.

For more information regarding special guests, workshops, seminars, sponsorship, parade, author/vendor opportunities and a complete listing of festival events and activities, please visit the official website of Dallas/Fort Worth Literary SoulFEST at www.dfwliterarysoulfest.com, call 817.457.5700 or email [email protected]

About Literary Arts Connection of Texas
The mission of L.A.C. is to support local, national and international literacy initiatives, promote reading and writing and inspire community action that will connect people, improve lives and help protect our environment. L.A.C. carries out its mission through hosting annual festivals, book related events, and hosting various classes and workshops. For more information go to www.dfwliterarysoulfest.com or call 817-320-5562.

About The Dock Bookshop
The Dock Bookshop is the largest African American owned full service bookstore in Dallas/Fort Worth. The mission of The Dock is to inspire, inform, and entertain customers through books and book-related events in a relaxing and spacious environment. The Dock also sells greeting cards, music, magazines, newspapers, coffee & tea, beverages, candles, novelty & gifts items. In addition, the Dock also has over 3,500 square feet to hold meetings and events. For more information go to www.thedockbookshop.com or call 817-457-5700.

For questions or more information call 817.457.5700 or email [email protected].