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    If you want to hide something from a Black person, put it in a book.

    The origins of this controversial statement are sometimes linked to our fallen icons Malcolm X and Frederick Douglass.

    The particulars of where these problematic words originated are not nearly as important as what they symbolize: The harmful narrative that Black people don’t read. We know that both our beloved deceased brothers Malcolm and Frederick pushed the value of literacy in our communities. After all, there was a time when far too many of our ancestors were forbidden to read and even risked their lives to learn how to read and write.

    Fast forward to 2026, there is a disturbing and growing narrative being spread that implies less adults are reading books—and that our children are lagging in reading department as well.

    Statistics and data obtained from formal research aside, what we know for sure is that Black people who read and support all things ESSENCE love books by Black authors. Period. And the attendees of this year’s ESSENCE Festival of Culture (EFOC)? They could not get enough of all things Black authors and Black books. It was indeed a beautiful sight to witness.

    Bridgette Bartlett Royall and author Amber Mayfield Hewett at the 2026 ESSENCE Festival of Culture® presented by Coca-Cola®. (Photo by Peter Forest/Getty Images for ESSENCE)
    Bridgette Bartlett Royall and author Amber Mayfield Hewett at the 2026 ESSENCE Festival of Culture® presented by Coca-Cola®. (Photo by Peter Forest/Getty Images for ESSENCE)

    The New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center served as the home for ESSENCE Book Festival and Author’s Stage within the EFOC. To say the Book Festival was well attended is an understatement. Attendees were ecstatic to hear conversations with their favorite Black authors including Nikole Hannah-Jones, The 1619 Project, who also served as a curator for this year’s Festival, to Amena Brown, Never Tell a Black Girl How to Black Girl, to Tayari Jones, Kin, to Kristina Forest, The Summer Girlfriend to Dr. Erica Jordan-Thomas, 7-Figure Educator and dozens of others. Following these engaging exchanges on-stage, authors took time to personally sign their books, take fun selfies with attendees and share hearty laughs. Other select (and delighted) Convention Center attendees were gifted with a special copy of latest bestseller, The Look by our Forever First Lady Michelle Obama.

    Whether the genre is historical fiction, romance novels or even home-entertaining guides, our community gets excited about books that are specifically for us and by us. And it is no surprise why: we crave opportunities to feel seen, to share knowledge and to celebrate the joy of being authentically and unapologetically ourselves.

    The little ones were not left out at the EFOC Book Festival either! They even had their own corner within the well curated space where they could read, play, color a mural and simply enjoy being kids (sadly all things activities not always given to Black children). A bevy of Black children’s books were available for sale as well and attendees were equally excited by the literary offerings for the younger set.

    The kids are alright. (Photo by Peter Forest/Getty Images for ESSENCE)
    The kids are alright. (Photo by Peter Forest/Getty Images for ESSENCE)

    Vera Warren Williams, owner of Community Book Center in New Orleans, which served as the festival’s official book partner this year helped to ensure the look and feel of the Book Festival was one that would resonate well with EFOC attendees. Williams, who grew up in the city’s Lower 9th Ward, was intentional about ensuring that the pulse of New Orleans and the city’s rich, vibrant culture was present in the Book Festival. “I think that our involvement with the festival this year, it was important for us to be able to highlight local New Orleans authors and books that celebrate our culture here,” Williams shared with local news outlet, WWLTV.

    Mom of three Celeste Coleman traveled to the Festival with girlfriends from Connecticut and pleased with the conversations she attended, particularly the discussion with authors Elaine Meryl Brown and Rhonda McLean who wrote The Next Little Black Book of Success. As a small business (Connecticut Balloons) owner herself, she appreciated receiving trusted advice from corporate veterans like Rhonda and Elaine in an intimate setting. “The conversation reminded me that representation matters,” Coleman revealed.

    Pulitzer Prize winner Nikole Hannah-Jones was not surprised in the least by the tremendous Book Festival turnout, despite what recent statistics about literacy suggest. She explained, “I was pleased that the book talks were all really packed, which I thought was amazing.” “Black people read. Black people love literature. Love. Every type and range of literature. We might want romance, and we also love nonfiction, we love books about politics.

    (L-R) Nikole Hannah-Jones, Michelle Miller, Authors and culture shifters Jamilah Lemieux and Tiffany Cross attend the 2026 ESSENCE Festival of Culture® presented by Coca-Cola®. (Photo by Peter Forest/Getty Images for ESSENCE)
    (L-R) Nikole Hannah-Jones, Michelle Miller, Authors and culture shifters Jamilah Lemieux and Tiffany Cross attend the 2026 ESSENCE Festival of Culture® presented by Coca-Cola®. (Photo by Peter Forest/Getty Images for ESSENCE)

    She continued, “Black women are avid readers. They will come out for literary discussions and feel such a kinship with authors that I just have to, you know, tap into that and I know that will be successful.

    “I would love to see the curation get even bigger. I’m just looking forward to the next time where I can be in community with everyone [at Festival].”

    Nikole, we couldn’t agree more.

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