FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Native Daughter Brings Black History Month Literary Weekend Back to New Orleans
Councilman Eugene Green to Speak at Signature Ivory & Cream Literary Jazz Brunch
NEW ORLEANS—New Orleans native, author, and literary advocate Dr. Rhonda M. Lawson
is celebrating the 10th Annual Black History Month Literary Weekend back home in New
Orleans Feb. 19–21 with events across the city, including booksignings, a writers’
workshop, a comedy show, and the signature Ivory and Cream Affair Jazz Brunch.
The 2026 Black History Month Literary Weekend will feature 14 nationally recognized
writers, educators, and creatives, including three New Orleans–born authors who are also
returning home—Lillian Ebanks Joseph, Karen Stampley, and Michelle Knight. The
weekend’s signature event, the Ivory & Cream Affair Literary Jazz Brunch, will take place
Feb. 21 at 11 a.m. at the Zulu Social Aid & Pleasure Club, and will feature New Orleans City
Councilman Eugene Green (District D) as a guest speaker. The brunch blends live music,
literary conversations, author honors, and cultural celebration.
During the brunch, Lawson will award the winners of the 8th and 9th Grade Essay Contest
—a hallmark of the Black History Month Literary Weekend—which will be awarded
exclusively to New Orleans students, with $300 awarded to one student from each grade.
Additionally, she will recognize the recipients of the 2nd Annual For the Culture Book
Awards, which celebrate fiction authors who intentionally uphold, preserve, and elevate
African American culture through storytelling.
To deepen BHMLW’s long-standing commitment to literacy and educational access,
Lawson has also partnered with One Book One New Orleans and Zeta Phi Beta Sorority,
Incorporated, Alpha Gamma Zeta Chapter. Meet the World Image Solutions will collect
new and gently used books throughout the weekend, all of which will be donated to One
Book One New Orleans. The company will also donate a portion of the proceeds from the
comedy show and brunch to the Alpha Gamma Zeta Scholarship Fund.
“Our missions align because we both believe literacy is foundational to opportunity,” said
Dr. Megan Holt, One Book One New Orleans Executive Director. “Dr. Lawson’s
commitment to making books accessible while celebrating Black voices directly supports
the work we do every day in New Orleans.”
Founded in New Orleans in 2017, the Black History Month Literary Weekend has grown
into a nationally recognized literary experience, promoting over 100 authors and awarding
thousands in scholarships, essay awards, and book donations. This year’s return is deeply
personal for Lawson.
“New Orleans raised me, poured into me, and shaped me into who I am today,” said
Lawson, founder and president of Meet the World Image Solutions. “Bringing Black
History Month Literary Weekend back home for this milestone celebration just made
sense. My city protects its culture, supports its own, and understands the power of story.
Our featured authors are in for something special!”
This year’s events include:
Featured Author Meet and Greet
Feb. 19 | 7 p.m.
Baronness New Orleans
FREE Writers Workshop
Feb. 20 | 10:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Algiers Regional Library
Barnes & Noble Featured Author Book Signing
Feb. 20 | 4:30 p.m.
Barnes & Noble, Metairie, LA
Black History Month Comedy Night featuring Steve Brown
Feb. 20 | 7:30 p.m.
Café Istanbul
Ivory & Cream Affair Literary Jazz Brunch
Feb. 21 | 11 a.m.
Zulu Social Aid & Pleasure Club
For tickets, event details, or partnership information, email info@mtwimagesolutions.com.
About Meet the World Image Solutions
Meet the World Image Solutions is a boutique literary publicity and consulting firm
specializing in author visibility, cultural programming, and literacy initiatives. Founded in
New Orleans on Jan. 23, 2017, by author and U.S. Army veteran Dr. Rhonda M. Lawson, the
company has provided exposure opportunities for nearly 1,000 authors nationwide while
remaining deeply committed to community impact and educational access.
