The Black Lit Fest 2026


The inaugural Black Lit Fest is a celebration of Black literature, creativity and culture.  The theme “From Past to Prophecy,” explores the legacy of Black literature while imagining the futures that we can create with Black stories and art. This event will take place in the building and parking lot of Wordplay Cincinnati, a local nonprofit empowering youth through creative writing, storytelling and the arts. 


Day One: Adults 

The festival opens with a community collective art collage project, inviting you to contribute to a large-scale collaborative artwork reflecting our shared stories and visions for the future.


Throughout the day, you can shop thousands of Black authored books and special vendors AND enjoy refreshments as well as  experience live programming including line dancing with Love Jackson, and music by DJ Apryl Reign.


The evening features a literary-inspired fashion runway presentation produced by Me by Lee and exploring three moments in time: 1926, 2026, and 2126 and reflecting Black creative expression across past, present and our imagined future. 


Adult Night closes with Jazz Night curated by Eight Twenty Media, a special edition of their Eternal Light series; blending poetry, live music, and soulful performance. Throughout the evening, guests will also have the oppurtunity to experience a live silent auction featuring original artwork and rare Black literature. 


Tickets and additional programming details including VIP experiences will be announced soon. 



Day Two: Family Day


The celebration continues with a family focused day of creativity and community.


Family Day will include:



Family Day is designed to bring together young readers, families and creatives in an uplifting environment centered on Black imagination, art and storytelling.