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Black History Month Literary Weekend 2027 | 11th Annual | DMV Area | Feb 25โ€“27, 2027
๐ŸŽ‰ 11th Annual ยท February 25โ€“27, 2027

Celebrating Literacy & Our History!

Black History Month Literary Weekend 2027

February 25โ€“27, 2027 ยท DMV Area ยท Washington, DC Metro

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Register as an Author Become a Sponsor Essay Contest
11th
Annual Event
3
Days of Programming
1,000+
Authors Served
DMV
Washington DC Metro
25+
Published Works by Founder

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About the Weekend

Where Black Voices Command the Room

For eleven years, the Black History Month Literary Weekend has brought together Black authors, readers, community leaders, and culture-makers for three unforgettable days of books, music, and conversation in the DMV area. Founded by Dr. Rhonda M. Lawson โ€” 25-time published author, Army Master Sergeant (Retired), and CEO of Meet the World Image Solutions โ€” BHMLW is more than an event. It's a movement.


The weekend features author panels, the signature Ivory & Cream Affair Literary Jazz Brunch, evening entertainment, book signings, and the 8th and 9th Grade Black History Month Essay Contest โ€” all anchored in the belief that literacy changes lives and that Black stories deserve celebration.


About Dr. Rhonda M. Lawson
14% of Black 8th graders read at grade level
Nation's Report Card, 2024
54% of U.S. adults read below a 6th-grade level
$2.2 Trillion lost annually to low literacy in the U.S. economy โ€” literacy is an economic issue.
Everything You Need

Your BHMLW 2027 Hub

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Sponsorship Packet
Download our 2027 sponsorship deck โ€” tiers, benefits, audience data, and brand exposure details all in one place.
Download PDF โ†’
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For the Culture Book Awards
The 3rd Annual FTC Book Awards celebrate the best in Black fiction and non-fiction. Prizes awarded February 2027.
Learn More โ†’
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Author Registration
Registration is now open! Secure your featured author spot at the 11th Annual BHMLW. Limited tables available.
Register Now โ€” Open โ†’
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Essay Contest
The 8th and 9th Grade Black History Month Essay Contest โ€” cash prizes, community recognition, and a literary platform.
View Details โ†’
Youth Empowerment

8th & 9th Grade Black History Month Essay Contest

We believe the next generation of Black scholars and writers are already in the room. Our annual essay contest gives middle and high school students a platform to express themselves โ€” and a chance to win a cash prize and be honored at the weekend.

Contest Details

Who Can Enter Current 8th and 9th grade students
Prize Cash Prize โ€” announced at the event
2027 Submission Deadline Coming soon โ€” join our mailing list to be notified
Questions info@mtwimagesolutions.com

Why It Matters

When young Black students see their stories honored in a literary space, something shifts. Writing becomes power. Our contest has opened doors for students to discover their voices โ€” and for communities to celebrate them. Winners are recognized at the BHMLW weekend in front of authors, educators, and community leaders.

Submit Your Essay Get Notified When It Opens
Featured Authors

Author Registration

BHMLW 2027 featured author spots are limited. We welcome novelists, memoirists, poets, children's book authors, self-help writers, business authors, and more โ€” both traditionally and independently published. Once confirmed, authors will be featured in all event promotions.

Registration Open

Secure Your Spot at the 11th Annual BHMLW

Featured authors receive a dedicated table, inclusion in all event marketing and social media spotlights, listing on the BHMLW website, and access to our network of readers across the DMV and beyond. Spots fill quickly โ€” don't wait.

Three Days of Programming

What to Expect at BHMLW 2027

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Author Panels & Signings
Meet and engage with featured Black authors across all genres.
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Ivory & Cream Affair
The signature Literary Jazz Brunch โ€” our most celebrated event of the weekend.
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Evening Entertainment
An evening of culture and community to close out the weekend in style.
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Essay Contest
Honoring the next generation of Black writers with cash prizes and community recognition.
Also from Meet the World

3rd Annual For the Culture Book Awards

Celebrating the best in Black fiction and non-fiction. The FTC Book Awards culminate in the Ivory & Cream Affair Literary Jazz Brunch โ€” prizes awarded February 2027.

Got Questions?

Frequently Asked Questions

The Black History Month Literary Weekend (BHMLW) is an annual three-day literary and cultural celebration in the DMV area (Washington DC, Maryland, Virginia) founded by Dr. Rhonda M. Lawson of Meet the World Image Solutions. Now in its 11th year, it features Black authors, panels, the Ivory & Cream Affair Literary Jazz Brunch, evening entertainment, the 8th and 9th Grade Black History Month Essay Contest, and more.
BHMLW 2027 takes place February 25โ€“27, 2027 in the DMV area (Washington DC Metropolitan Area). Venue details will be announced as we get closer to the event. Sign up for email updates to be notified first.
Author registration for BHMLW 2027 is now open! Click here to register or schedule a call with our team to discuss participation. Featured authors receive a dedicated table, promotional inclusion across all marketing channels, and social media spotlights.
BHMLW celebrates Black authors across all genres โ€” fiction, non-fiction, memoirs, poetry, children's books, self-help, spiritual, business, and more. We welcome both traditionally published and independently published authors.
The contest is open to current 8th and 9th grade students. A theme and submission guidelines are released each year. Winners receive a cash prize and are honored at the event in front of authors, educators, and community leaders. Submission deadlines and details for 2027 will be announced โ€” sign up for updates or email info@mtwimagesolutions.com.
We offer four sponsorship tiers: Platinum ($5,000), Gold ($3,000), Silver ($1,500), and Community ($500). Each tier includes a tailored package of brand visibility, event presence, and digital exposure. The sponsorship deadline is December 15, 2026. Download our sponsorship packet above or schedule a call to learn more.
The For the Culture (FTC) Book Awards is a separate annual event from Meet the World Image Solutions, now in its 3rd year. It celebrates the best in Black fiction and non-fiction, culminating in the Ivory & Cream Affair Literary Jazz Brunch where prizes are awarded in February 2027. Learn more here.
BHMLW 2027 is planned as a hybrid event with both in-person experiences in the DMV area and virtual access options. More details will be shared as the event approaches.
Email us at info@mtwimagesolutions.com, call or text (504) 505-5894, or schedule a call via Calendly. We're happy to answer any questions about attending, author registration, sponsorship, or the essay contest.