The National Black Book Festival (NBBF) is returning to Houston, Texas, October 23-25, 2025, for its 18th anniversary celebration. Known as one of the premier gatherings for African-American authors and readers, the three-day event highlights the richness and diversity of Black literary talent across the nation.
Each year, more than 120 authors from 20 different genres gather at NBBF, representing regions from across the U.S. With a mission to showcase the breadth of African-American voices in literature, the festival offers general admission free of charge, making it accessible to readers of all ages. Attendees can enjoy author exhibits, engaging workshops, featured author sessions, book signings, and even a Children’s Festival on Saturday.
A Legacy of Celebrating Black Literature
The festival is presented annually by Cushcity.com, a trailblazer in African-American literature since 1998. Originally founded as an online bookstore, Cushcity.com evolved into a brick-and-mortar store and eventually into a full-service book marketing firm. Today, it proudly hosts the NBBF each year.
This year’s featured lineup includes household names and literary giants: actor/author Eriq La Salle, White House Correspondent April Ryan, and best-selling authors Kiki Swinson, Rachel Howzell Hall, Brandon Massey, Brenda Jackson, and Beverly Jenkins. NBBF is primarily sponsored by Cushcity.com, with Amazon’s Kindle Direct Publishing returning for the fifth year as a corporate sponsor.
A Weekend Full of Literary Engagement
Events will take place at the Fallbrook Church Book Sports Facility, 12512 Walters Road, Houston, TX. The schedule includes:
- Thursday, October 23: Welcome Reception
- Friday, October 24: Get Acquainted Breakfast, Author Exhibits, and Workshops until 7 PM
- Saturday, October 25: Networking Breakfast, Author Exhibits, Children’s Festival, Workshops, and Featured Author Sessions/Book Signings until 6 PM
Tickets and Access
While general admission is free, tickets for special events and the full festival package can be purchased online here: bit.ly/49YuWHT.
Building Momentum in Year 18
As the festival steps into its 18th year, organizers are ramping up visibility with a strong social media campaign. Every participating author has received a customized flyer to share on Facebook and Instagram, ensuring both consistency in marketing and stronger promotional reach.
“We are very excited about celebrating our 18th anniversary this year,” organizers shared. “Even during Covid, we made sure NBBF remained a space for Black voices to be heard. Now, by promoting each author individually, we’re amplifying their presence while continuing to build the community that makes this festival so special.”
