Free Your Mind: A Revolution In Words

Free Your Mind: A Revolution In Words Literary Festival – This daylong event will showcase performance artists, authors, visual artists and a keynote address given by renowned educator/activist Dr. Oba T’Shaka. This full day event will feature a story-telling event, a genealogy lecture, an author showcase, a panel, a reception and a keynote address.

11a-11:45a – Storytelling Performance by Kirk Waller – With a lifelong love of story, literature and the performing arts, Kirk Waller has been immersed in these art forms for over 20 years. He has garnered national recognition for his storytelling.

Location: Children’s Center Storytelling Room, 2nd Floor

12p-12:45p - African American Family History Research - Learn how to conduct genealogy search and find your ancestors using the U.S. census data, vital records, city directories, historical photos, and land records. Participants will learn how to use the Library’s genealogical databases (Ancestry and HeritageQuest) and online resources to find people and expand your family tree. This workshop is ideal for beginners, students and amateur genealogists.

Location: Children’s Center Program Room, 2nd Floor

1p-3p – Author Showcase & Reception – Please join us for this opportunity to mix, mingle as well as support Bay Area authors and artists! Author works will be available for purchase at the Author Showcase. Showcase will begin at 1p with a welcome reception and light food beginning at 1:30p.

Location: Latino/ Hispanic Rooms A & B, Lower Level

3p-4p – Revolution & The Written Word - New York Times best-selling author Mary ‘Honey B’ Morrison, Former Black Panther Ericka Huggins, Block Reportin’ founder JR Valrey and others discussing the revolutionary aspects of selected Black author written works and how the written word can transform modern thought.

Location: Koret Auditorium, Lower Level

4p-5p – Dr. Oba T'Shaka: Commemorating the San Francisco Civil Rights Movement - The San Francisco Public Library is honored to host professor/activist Dr. Oba T’Shaka as our keynote speaker for the 2013 Black Literary Festival. Dr. T'Shaka is an activist, scholar, renowned public speaker, professor, workshop leader, author, organizer and visionary of exceptional influence. For 38 years Dr. T'Shaka was a Professor at San Francisco State University, where he is now Professor Emeritus. Dr. Oba T’Shaka (formerly Bill Bradley) led the San Francisco Civil Rights Movement and addressed such issues as economic apartheid and job discrimination within San Francisco and as well as California as a whole.

Dr. T’Shaka will discuss the San Francisco Civil Rights Movement and its inspiration for historical readings and their relevance today.