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partnership guides
Here's What to Expect
FRIDAY MEET & GREET
An exclusive meet and greet with our spotlight Summit authors with curated cocktails and discussions for our VIP guests.
General admission will get to enjoy a happy hour at each of our host hotels, just steps from their door.
Host hotel details to follow.
SUMMIT DAY
Access to up to 500 potential customers, a live book club chat, keynote speakers, a VIP lounge, a vibey patio, coffee bar in the morning and cash bar after lunch (did we mention food trucks will be on site).
We will then head over to a bowling after party for all to enjoy.
DAY OF SERVICE
Sunday, we will be doing a church takeover where we invite all of our guest to join us at One Community Church for Easter service, followed by community service at one of our 2 tailored locations.
You will be able to choose between a Bookbag and Brunch or a Self Love and Spa Experience.
CELEBRATION OF YOUTH
Along with our hand selected experience for you, we are also creating a space to celebrate the youth who participate in our new creative writing program, honoring one young woman with an abundance of love, support, scholarship, and representation.
We will have influencers on site to keep energy high and interview our guests.
Consider Being a Sponsor
Partner with the Black Girls Who Read Summit and align your brand with a growing movement of readers, leaders, and creatives shaping the culture. Sponsorship offers meaningful exposure, community connection, and opportunities to engage directly with our audience throughout the Summit weekend. To explore partnership levels and visibility options, download the 2026 Sponsor Packet below.
Become a
2026 Summit Vendor
The Black Girls Who Read Summit is where visibility meets community. It’s a gathering of readers, authors, and creatives who believe in supporting businesses that reflect our stories and our culture.
As a vendor, you’ll have the opportunity to connect with hundreds of engaged attendees, expand your reach beyond social media, and position your brand among thought leaders and decision-makers in the literary and lifestyle space.
Whether you’re looking to build relationships, increase exposure, or simply be part of something that celebrates our voices — this is where your business belongs.
Vendor Experience at the BGWR Summit
At the 2026 Black Girls Who Read Summit, vendors are part of the full experience, not tucked in a corner.
We’ve designed spaces that are intentional, visually cohesive, and full of steady foot traffic from readers, authors, and guests all weekend.
Where You’ll Be
Honor Hall (1st Floor Marketplace): The official vendor zone, positioned near the café and photobooth for consistent engagement.
The Stacks (Upstairs): A more relaxed setting with direct access to networking areas and breakout sessions.
Each space is curated for flow and visibility. Vendors can expect a professional environment with a steady mix of shopping, conversation, and networking.
Premium Placement: Premium placements are ideal for vendors who want maximum visibility throughout the event. These spaces are strategically located near high-traffic areas such as the main stage, photobooth, end caps and VIP lounge, giving you more direct engagement with attendees. Placement is limited and assigned on a first-come, first-served basis.
The Setup
Date: Saturday, April 4 – Main Summit Day
Setup: Morning access; exact times provided two weeks prior
Tables: 6 ft. tables available for rental or bring your own
Power/Wi-Fi: Available on request (limited)
Tear-Down: After marketplace hours (schedule provided)
The Vibe
Professional, organized, and community-driven. Attendees come ready to connect and support small businesses that align with the BGWR brand (bookish, lifestyle, wellness, and culture-focused.)
The Investment
The base vendor fee is $150 and has a designated spot in the main hall or balcony, based on availability.
Any additional needs will need to be selected during the application process. Upon official registration, you will be given a 10% discount access code for any experience enhancements (add ons).
MEET OUR RENOWNED KEYNOTE SPEAKER
ReShonda Tate is a national bestselling author of more than 50 books, a NAACP Image Award winner, and a powerhouse storyteller. Her most recent work, The Queen of Sugar Hill (William Morrow, 2024), is her debut historical fiction novel, spotlighting the life of Hattie McDaniel, the first Black Oscar winner.
Her novels Let the Church Say Amen and The Secret She Kept were adapted into films, and her writing has been featured in USA Today, The Washington Post, People, Essence, and Ebony. A veteran journalist with over three decades of experience, she currently serves as Managing Editor of the Houston Defender Newspaper and a radio host on KTSU 90.9 FM.
ReShonda is also co-founder of Brown Girls Books and Brown Girls Entertainment, companies dedicated to elevating fresh voices and producing content across literature, film, and TV. A graduate of the University of Texas at Austin, she is a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, Jack & Jill of America, and mom of five.
Spotlight Authors & Partners
tatum
james
Fireside Chat
Discussion of
Psalm
Deric Augustine
Celebrity Guest Author, Introducing
Nawlins
kaylynn hunt
Live Book Club Discussion of
Satisfaction Guaranteed
D.R. Maddox
Official Legacy Partner and Founder of Black Men Read, Too
octavia grant
Live Book Club
Discussion of
Cutthroat
MEET OUR WRITERS WORKSHOP SPEAKER
Lissa Woodson, who writes as Naleighna Kai, is a USA TODAY and Essence Magazine National Bestselling author, a literary agent with The Macro Group who has landed book deals with traditional publishing houses, a developmental editor, motivational speaker and The Book Whisperer.
In addition to successfully cracking the code of landing a deal for herself and others with a major publishing house, she continues to "pay it forward" with NK’s Tribe Called Success, The Kings of the Castle series, and the experience of the annual Cavalcade of Authors, now in its 21st year, which gives readers intimate access to the most accomplished writing talent today.
OFFICIAL SPONSORS
