Petersburg Black Author Expo. Meet over 60 authors, writers, educators
Gov. Abigail Spanberger visits Virginia State University
On Thursday, Feb. 12, Gov. Abigail Spanberger visited Virginia State University. She toured VSU’s Randolph Farm, then met with students and others at the VSU MultiPurpose Center.
- The Black Author Expo will return to the Petersburg Public Library on February 28, 2026.
- Held in partnership with Resist Booksellers, the event will feature over 60 Black authors, writers, and educators.
- Award-winning authors Carole Boston Weatherford and Jeffery Boston Weatherford are scheduled to be featured guests.
- The expo is a free event for both attendees and participating authors to promote accessibility and inclusion.
The Black Author Expo will return to the Petersburg Public Library on Feb. 28. The 2026 event, held in partnership with Resist Booksellers, will be from 1-4 p.m.
“The Black Author Expo is more than a literary event,” Wayne Crocker, Director of the Petersburg Public Library, said. “It is a celebration of storytelling, legacy, and representation during Black History Month.”
The 2025 Expo drew hundreds of attendees and more than 45 authors, and, according to Petersburg Public Library’s press release, the 2026 event promises to be even larger, further solidifying its reputation as a cornerstone literary celebration in Virginia.
This year’s Expo will feature 60+ Black authors, writers, and educators, offering readers the opportunity to discover new voices, engage in meaningful conversations and support Black literature in recognition of Black History Month.
Resist Booksellers, the Expo’s event partner, is a Black-owned independent bookstore in Petersburg. The Expo will include book signings, author meet and greets, and books across every genre, from children’s literature and poetry to faith, self-help, and fiction.
“The goal has always been to make sure everyone, from a first-time reader to a seasoned writer, feels seen, valued, and inspired,” Demetrius Frazier, owner of Resist Booksellers, said. “We are proud to see this Expo grow into a cornerstone event for Black literature in Virginia.”
Black Author Expo 2026 in Petersburg
This year’s Expo will feature award-winning authors Carole Boston Weatherford and Jeffery Boston Weatherford, a celebrated mother and son literary duo whose body of work centers Black history, resilience, and imagination.
Together, their resume includes:
- 80+ published books
- 2 NAACP Image Awards
- 18 American Library Association Youth Media Awards
- Newbery Honor
- Coretta Scott King Award
- 4 Caldecott Honors
- The Claudia Lewis Award (Bank Street College of Education)
- The Boston Globe Horn Book Award
“Their presence marks a major highlight for the 2026 Expo and reinforces the event’s growing statewide impact,” the press release stated. “The event remains completely free for attendees and participating authors, reinforcing the library’s commitment to accessibility and inclusion.”
Petersburg: Black Author Expo 2026 details
- Date: Feb. 28
- Time: 1-4 p.m.
- Location: Petersburg Public Library, Conference & Event Center, 201 W. Washington St.
- Website: ppls.org
- Contact: (804) 733-2387
Sponsorship opportunities are available. Contact Raleigh Desper at rdesper@ppls.org, for more information.
Kristi K. Higgins aka The Social Butterfly, an award-winning columnist, is the trending topics and food Q&A reporter at The Progress-Index voted the 2022 Tri-Cities Best of the Best Social Media Personality. Have a news tip on local trends or businesses? Contact Kristi (she, her) at khiggins@progress-index.com, follow @KHiggins_PI on X and @socialbutterflykristi on Instagram.
