SAN JOSE, Calif. - Feb. 1, 2019 - s4story -- The African American Community Service Agency (AACSA), a cultural cornerstone in San Jose and the Silicon Valley for more than 40 years, today announced it will host a "Meet Black Authors" event on Saturday, February 2, 2018 from 2:30 to 4:30 pm at 304 N. 6th Street in San Jose. The event will showcase African-American authors and give readers and aspiring writers the opportunity to hear from seasoned and successful writers.

The grand opening and ribbon cutting ceremony for the new Bridge Library will take place at 4:00 pm. A special partnership with the San Jose Public Library (SJPL), FIRST 5 Santa Clara County and its Family Resource Center (FRC), the new library is the sixth of its kind in the City of San Jose. These libraries provide community members access to books, library resources and library staff assistance, and are intentionally created to remove common barriers that prevent many families from using a library.

"Our organization's goal for this event is to engage, inform and invite the community to learn the importance of literacy, how to write a book, and be part of this special sixth Bridge Library ribbon cutting ceremony," said Milan Balinton, Executive Director of AASCA. "The new library is a great treasure for the entire San Jose community, but more importantly to the community members the AACSA serves, this will be a safe and comfortable place to learn, use your imagination and grow."

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Dignitaries and special guests joining the family-friendly "Meet Black Authors" event include San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo, District 27 Assemblymember Ash Kala, FIRST 5 Santa Clara County CEO Jolene Smith along with Potter the Otter, Jill Bourne, city librarian of California's San José Public Library (SJPL), and San Jose's very own painting prodigy Tyler Gordon, who will be painting live at the event. The event will also include a DJ, food, authors and books prior to the ribbon cutting of the 6th Bridge Library Grand Opening.

NBC Bay Area meteorologist Kari Hall will emcee and moderate the "Meet Black Authors" event, with featured authors including:

●      Robert L. Harris, "Goodbye, Arkadelphia! Turning Obstacles into Opportunities"
●      Dr. Thomishia Booker, "Hey Carter"
●      Jan Adkins, "African Americans of San Jose and Santa Clara County"
●      Pastor Tony Williams, "Be Open. How To Unlock Your Heart to Discover God's Purpose for Your Life. The Divine Design Series"
●      Marilyn Randolph, "Be Still: Brighter Beginnings Family Child Care Guide"
●      LaRone Randolph, "The MVP"
●      April Spikener, "Butterfly & Internal Monologue"
●      Justin Pogue, "Rental Secrets"
●      Anala E. Jamison (4-year-old author), "It's Okay to Be Angry"
●      Brittney Starr-Whittington, "Layla the Lawyer" and "The Case of the Missing Cookies"

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●      Terry Cato, "No Longer a Bridesmaid"
●      Adolpha Cole, "Ladybug Lily"

Rounding out the event will be special guest speaker, Anala Desmond, a four-year-old author of "It's Okay to Be Angry." Anala, along with her parents Alana and Desmond Jamison, created Little Minds, Big Ideas, a children's literature franchise. Alana and Anala, affectionately known as Nally, authored their book in December 2018, the first in a series which features a family who learns morals and important life lessons in the course of each riveting story.

The "Meet Black Authors" event and Bridge Library ribbon cutting ceremony are free community events, however online registration is suggested. To register, go to: https://aacsameetblackauthors.eventbrite.com.

About the San Jose African American Community Service Agency
The African American Community Service Agency (AACSA), a 501(c) organization, founded in 1978, is one of the only African American cultural centers in the Silicon Valley. Our mission-providing quality educational, cultural, social and recreational programs, services and activities in order to perpetuate and strengthen African American identity, culture, values, traditions, knowledge and family life-is at the heart of all programs. AACSA's membership is open to everyone, regardless of race, religion, age or disability. The Agency's diverse activities and services offer a natural gateway to African American life. Visit www.sjaacsa.com for more info.