The Wheatley Book Awards celebrates 40 Years of Black Book Publishing and launches the Flora Mwapa Literary Award as the opening event of the 10th Anniversary Celebration of the Harlem Book Fair. This will be a public, red carpet award program that honors the founders of modern black publishing and those who contribute to African community letters. Join authors, celebrities, publishers and readers like you for a night of entertainment and celebration. Hosted by NY1 television personality, Dominic Carter and author Relentless Aaron. Music by the Tyrone Birkett Group.

HONOREES (PUBLISHING): Haki Madhubuti (Third World Press – 40 years); W. Paul Coates (Black Classic Press – 30 years); Kassahun Checole (Africa World Press – 25 years); Cheryl Willis Hudson and Wade Hudson (Just Us Books – 20 years); and Tony Rose (Amber Books – 10 years).

HONOREE (LETTERS): Dr. Tess Onwueme, novelist, playwright and scholar, will be the recipient of the first Flora Mwapa Literary Award, given to a deserving African writer whose work has contributed to and inspired the African community, both in the U.S. and abroad.

WHEN: Friday, July 18. Doors open at 7:00pm

WHERE: Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, 515 Malcolm X Boulevard (West 135th Street at Lenox Avenue), Harlem New York.

DRESS: Business/Evening Attire

This is a free fundraising event to support the Harlem Book Fair’s mission to evolve into an international Black World Book Festival so don’t forget your checkbook! Donations are tax deductible.You may reserve your seat at rsvp@qbr.com. For additional information call QBR at 212.348.1681 or the Schomburg Center at 212.491.2206. Our telephones are very busy. Please be patient!

Harlem Book Fair July 19, 2008. Save the date!