Our Voices Our Stories: Celebrating Black Authors

he Palm Springs Public Library, Brothers of the Desert and Mizell Center have teamed up once again to present the second annual “Our Voices Our Stories: Celebrating Black Authors” a FREE community event in celebration of Black History Month on Sunday, February 8th from 10 AM – 1:00 PM.

This event will begin with a welcome reception featuring a variety of bagels and spreads, coffee, and mimosas from 10-10:30 AM. The Best Bookstore in Palm Springs will be on hand with select books from our featured authors, available for purchase.  At 10:30 AM the event will begin with our first featured author former NFL Player RK Russell in conversation with Lorenzo Taylor.  They will be discussing Russell’s Memoir “The Yards Between Us”, an exploration of his journey as he shattered barriers and made history by becoming the first out active NFL player to identify as bisexual. On a day that is dedicated to the ultimate face-off in football, the Superbowl, Russell will talk about his career as a formidable defensive end when he played for the Dallas Cowboys and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, where he faced off against Hall of Famers and the fiercest competitors with unmatched skill and determination. With the mainstream popularity of the HBOMax series “Heated Rivalry” that has seemed to have resonated with audiences who aren’t part of the LGBTQ community, transcending the stereotypes about pro athletes and the gay community, Russell will share his own story and let you decide.

Following RK Russell our second featured author will be Toni Ann Johnson in conversation with Marilyn F. Solomon. They will discuss her soon to be released book “But Where’s Home?” (to be released February 10, 2026) which is a Novella and linked short story collection that lays bare the realities of Black life in America, challenging readers to confront issues of racism, classism, colonized thinking, narcissism, abuse, and parent-child relationships. Johnson’s complex and interwoven characters create a kaleidoscope of truths about human nature and the complicated relationship the United States has with race. They will touch on her career as a screenwriter, playwright and author of other books including “Light Skin Gone to Waste”, “Homecoming”, and “Remedy for a Broken Angel”.

Following their talk.at 12:45 PM attendees will have their final opportunity to purchase books and have them autographed by our authors. The event will conclude at 1:00 PM.

The event is FREE to attend, but we’re asking you to please register online as seating is limited to 100 attendees. Reserved seats will be released five minutes before the events starts to allow for standby attendees to attend. Register at:http://bit.ly/4sDg3Ft