December 19, 2024 – The San Francisco Public Library in partnership with Sistah Scifi announces a unique community gathering, "Shadows and Light: Exploring Black Horror and Black Healing". 

Featuring a keynote presentation by esteemed author Tananarive Due, winner of the American Book Award for The Living Blood (2001), and the Bram Stoker Award for The Reformatory (2023),"Shadows and Light" is a space for horror enthusiasts who often find themselves questioning the representation of Black characters in horror movies. It welcomes those who seek comfort in horror novels as a form of escapism from their isolation and is a celebration and exploration of Black horror in literature and film that offers a platform for discussion and connection. 

The event seeks to inspire attendees and help them understand and appreciate the genre's cultural significance and its potential for promoting wellness and healing.“At the library we know of the potential for books to take us away from the pressures of our everyday lives,” said Shawna Sherman, manager of SFPL’s African American Center. “In these discussions, we’ll hear from authors and psychologists   about how we can read horror to confront our real-life fears.”    

Two panel discussions, “Shadows of the Past: Historical Contexts of Black Horror” and “Healing Through Horror: Future Directions,” will further explore the role of Black horror in literature and its potential as a medium for healing. Other featured guests include authors Jewelle Gomez, John Jennings, LaDarrion Williams, Hayley Dennings, Tamika Thompson and Michele Tracy Berger, as well as Dr. Kinitra Brooks and psychiatrist Justin C. Key. The event also includes a Black community marketplace, book sales and signing and opportunities for continued engagement among attendees, panelists and fellow horror enthusiasts.

Don’t miss this free opportunity to explore the power of horror for healing. For more information, visit sfpl.org.

Program Schedule 

12:30 PM - 1:30 PM: Registration and Welcome (Doors open at 1 p.m.)

1:30 PM - 2:30 PM: Opening Keynote – The Power of Black Horror and Healing through Storytelling 

Author and film historian Tananarive Due (The Reformatory, The Wishing Pool and Other Stories) explores the history and impact of Black horror in literature and film and discusses how it serves as a medium for healing and empowerment.

2:45 PM - 3:45 PM:  Shadows of the Past: Historical Contexts of Black Horror 

Take a deep dive into the historical contexts that have shaped Black horror in this examination of how these narratives reflect societal fears and injustices. Featuring Tananarive Due, Jewelle Gomez (The Gilda Stories and We Three), LaDarrion Williams (Blood at the Root), Hayley Dennings (This Ravenous Fate) and Dr. Kinitra Brooks. Moderated by Isis Asare.

4 PM - 5 PM: Healing Through Horror: Future Directions 

A forward-looking discussion of the future of Black horror and its role in healing communities. Featuring, Michele Tracy Berger (Doll Seed: Stories), John Jennings (Parable of the Sower: A Graphic Novel Adaption), Tamika Thompson (Unshod, Cackling, and Naked) and Dr. Justin C. Key (The World Wasn’t Ready for You). Moderated by Isis Asare.

5PM to 545PM: Networking & Marketplace

Visit the Marketplace in the Latino/Hispanic Meeting Room from from 12:30 – 5 p.m.

About the African American Center at San Francisco Public Library                               

The African American Center on the third floor of the Main Library for the past thirty years has welcomed students, researchers and anyone interested in learning more about the historical, political and cultural experiences of African Americans in California and beyond. In addition to housing a collection of circulating and reference materials that span a range of subject areas, the Center also partners with other library departments and community organizations to sponsor exhibits and programs that are free to the public.

About Sistah Scifi

Established in 2019, Sistah Scifi is the first Black-owned bookstore focused on science fiction and fantasy in the US as validated by the American Booksellers Association. Located primarily in cyberspace, Sistah Scifi launch three Sistah Scifi Book Vending Machines located at Chapter510 located at 546  9th Street, Oakland, CA and Northwest African American Museum and Distant Worlds Coffee in Seattle, WA.