The fact that he has, for 97 years, served as an inspiration and a role model for so many is a gift to us all. It is his groundbreaking, door opening, ceiling shattering legacy that paved the way for other BIPOC book creators. It is difficult to express the importance of the impact of Ashley Bryan on the children’s book industry. Named in honor of Ashley Bryan, this inaugural event presented in partnership with I’m Your Neighbor Books and Diverse Book Finder honors roots, identity and resiliency of Black people across the world. Who create children’s books featuring characters of the African Diaspora.

Indigo Arts Alliance launched the “virtual” Beautiful Blackbird Children’s Book Festival in Summer 2020 to shine a spotlight on the Black artists and writers The Beautiful Blackbird Children’s Book Festival in Honor of Ashley Bryanīy Marcia Minter and Christina Richardson His latest, picture book memoir Infinite Hope, won honors including a Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honor Award and Kirkus and Shelf Awareness Best Books recognition. Bryan is the creator of more than 50 books for children earning countless awards and accolades. Thank you to the Minters and the festival team for saluting Ashley Bryan’s outstanding contributions. Each Friday through the end of August will bring a new video readaloud. The festival is named in honor of Bryan’s Coretta Scott King Award-winning picture book, Beautiful Blackbird, and celebrates Black children’s book authors and illustrators. Award-winning artist Daniel Minter and his executive creative director wife Marcia are the founders of the hosting organization, Indigo Arts Alliance. Today, on Ashley Bryan‘s birthday, we’re thrilled to share a guest post about an incredible children’s book festival created in his honor. to r.: Daniel Minter, Marcia Minter and Ashley Bryan

Beautiful blackbird by ashley bryan