Staff Report

FORT LAUDERDALE —   The South Florida Book Festival, one of the nation’s premiere book festivals, is returning to the African-American Research Library and Cultural Center (AARLCC) on July 17 and 18. The festival features a collection of New York Times bestselling authors, a Pulitzer Prize winning author, an Oprah Winfrey Book Club Selection author and other intriguing authors with a wide variety of topics.

Award winning journalist and talk show host Tavis Smiley—a popular figure on NPR and current host of Tavis Smiley on the Public Broadcasting Service and The Tavis Smiley Show on Public Radio International — appears on the second day of the two-day festival to discuss and sign his latest book, My Journey with Maya Angelou.

At 6:30 p.m., July 17, the two-day South Florida Book Festival kicks off with a glamorous “Evening with the Stars” and book signing event. For $25 in advance or $30 at the door, guests can enjoy meeting the authors at a dressed-up affair complete with food, wine and an autographed book of their choosing. Attendees will have an opportunity to meet with the featured authors in a social setting.

Regional Library Manager Elaina Norlin said “We’re looking forward to seeing everyone at this event; it is by far one of South Florida’s best events for the summer and we urge everyone to sign up early since spaces fill up very quickly.”

The African-American Research Library and Cultural Center is located at 2650 Sistrunk Blvd., Fort Lauderdale. Call the Welcome Desk at 954-357-6210.