The Heritage Book & Art Festival Hosted Authors, Artists, and Community Members

Carlos Tinoco, Miami Times Contributor

Source: Miami Times

Mar 18, 2025 - Updated Mar 19, 2025

Florida Memorial University (FMU) held its inaugural Heritage Book & Art Festival this past weekend, uniting authors, artists, and educators with community members for a two-day literary and cultural celebration. The festival served as a platform to underscore the power of storytelling and the importance of representation in literature and the arts.

The event, held March 14-15, was organized by FMU’s Provost Dr. Jacqueline B. Hill and the School of Education & Social Sciences. The university’s campus was transformed into a dynamic hub for creativity, featuring a variety of book signings, live performances, interactive workshops, and artist exhibits.

"The festival shows we care about encouraging artistic expression alongside lifelong learning, so that various people, particularly young people, can enjoy valuable literary experiences," said Hill. She also emphasized storytelling as a means for cultural and historic preservation, noting that, "Books with art have the power to connect generations, preserving the stories of our ancestors while inspiring future voices."

Focus on Young Readers

Day one of the festival focused on young readers, especially 2nd and 3rd graders, who participated in interactive literacy experiences, including storytelling sessions and book-making activities.

Broader Community Celebration

Saturday’s festivities extended to the broader community, with a marketplace for independent authors, panel discussions on the future of storytelling, and live music performances that added to the festival's lively atmosphere. Attendees had the chance to network, explore new literature, and support local artists and writers. The festival also highlighted discussions on the role of literature in social justice, demonstrating how stories can act as a catalyst for change.

Featured Speakers and Presentations

Among the festival’s speakers was Dr. Bernard Jennings, who shared the story behind his book Ethan’s Good Dad Act. Jennings’ personal experiences as a father fighting for custody led him to advocate for legislative change in Florida, particularly with the passage of the Good Dad Act last year.

"This law concerns giving fathers a fair chance to be involved in their children’s lives," Jennings stated. He also founded the Good Dad Act Committee, working nationwide to protect unmarried fathers’ rights.

Jennings explained how his experience within the legal system served as a wake-up call regarding the struggles many fathers face. "Frequently, fathers are excluded from custody disputes due to outdated statutes. I wanted to change this narrative, not just for myself, but for the many fathers fighting to be involved as parents," he shared.

Omilani Alarcón, an AfroFilipina artist and entrepreneur, presented her comic book The Amazing Adventures of Latinegra, which incorporates elements from Taino culture and indigenous storytelling.

Alarcón emphasized the need for representation in media, stating, "Children of multicultural backgrounds need to see themselves reflected in literature and art." She also discussed the challenges artists of color face in the publishing industry, noting, "There’s still a long way to go in terms of true representation, but events like this help bridge that gap."

Artist and business owner George Moss, founder of Gmoss Designs, participated in the festival as well. Moss, who specializes in illustration, fashion, and creative events like Beyond Comic Con, said, "We encourage people to use their talents and uplift the community through creativity. When we create spaces for artists to thrive, we empower them to tell stories that might otherwise go unheard."

Dr. Frederick L. Hunter, Jr., dean of FMU’s School of Education & Social Sciences, reflected on his own unexpected artistic journey, which began during the COVID-19 pandemic. "I needed something to do during lockdown, and painting became my form of self-expression," he said.

A Growing Tradition

The Heritage Book & Art Festival served as a dynamic venue for artistic and literary exchanges, while strengthening FMU’s commitment to education and cultural enrichment. Hill expressed optimism about the festival’s future. "This is just the beginning," she said. "We envision this festival growing each year, bringing more voices, more stories, and more inspiration to FMU and beyond."