March

Adrian Miller
Monday, March 11, 6:30 p.m.
Blair-Caldwell African American Research Library

Adrian is a graduate of Stanford University and Georgetown University Law School. After practicing law in Denver for several years, Adrian became a special assistant to President William Jefferson Clinton and the deputy director of the President’s Initiative for One America. After his White House stint, Adrian returned to Colorado and served as the General Counsel and Director of Outreach at the Bell Policy Center, the Deputy Legislative Director for Colorado and Governor Ritter’s point person on the Colorado campaign to End Childhood Hunger. Adrian is a culinary historian and a certified barbecue judge who has lectured around the country on such topics as: Black chefs in the White House, chicken and waffles, hot sauce, soda pop, Kool-Aid pickles, soul food and Shalom Soul (the connections between kosher food and soul food). Adrian's forthcoming book, Soul Food: The Surprising Story of an American Cuisine, One Plate at a Time will be published by the University of North Carolina Press fall 2013.

J.D. Mason
Saturday, March 16, 6:30 p.m.
Blair-Caldwell African American Research Library

J.D. has been writing professionally for nearly ten years, beginning with her first novel And On The Eighth Day She Rested which she self-published, not once, but twice. Since then, Mason has gone on to sign with a New York City publisher and has penned a popular series based off of her second book, One Day I Saw A Black King. Other books in the series include Don’t Want No Sugar, You Gotta Sin To Get Saved and Somebody Pick Up My Pieces. In addition, Ms. Mason has written several collaborative titles including Have A Little Faith with Reshonda Tate Billingsley, Jacquelin Thomas, and Sandra Kitt and Sleep Don’t Come Easy with Victor McGlothin. J.D.'s work has been featured in Today’s Black Woman, Essence, and Jewel Magazine. Her books have consistently been selected as main selections for the Black Expressions Bookclub and have been nominated for numerous awards by Romantic Times Magazine. She lives in Denver, Colorado, and is hard at work on her tenth novel, the sequel to her latest bestselling book, Beautiful, Dirty, Rich, with the sequel titled Drop Dead, Gorgeous which is scheduled for release summer 2013.

Carnita Groves
Wednesday, March 20, 6:30 p.m.
Blair-Caldwell African American Research Library

Carnita is a Denver native. She earned a B.A. in psychology from University of Colorado Denver, a M.A. in Counseling Psychology from the College of Education at University of Denver. Carnita is a three-term president of the Denver Rocky-Mountain Association of Black Psychologists (D-RMABPsi). She writes integrative mental health articles for the Denver Black Pages and has recently published 7 books in less than one month. Aside from being an avid organic gardener, Carnita has taught psychology at three area colleges and operates a private practice (www.AtwellandGroves.net), which includes forensic evaluation support, integrative mental health, and psycho-nutrition. She is married to Dr. Robert Atwell, former international president of the Association of Black Psychology and himself a former Denver chapter president. Dr. Atwell is a clinical-forensic psychologist. Together, Carnita and Dr. Atwell have 10 children and 10 grandchildren. Author will be selling copies of her book.

Anitha Jackson
Saturday, March 30, 2 p.m.
Blair-Caldwell African American Research Library

Anitha is a children’s book author who is best known as the author and illustrator of the Gabby’May Digsby children’s books with the first one being, Gabby’May Digsby: When I grow up, I wanna be.... Born and raised in Denver, Colorado, Anitha has been blessed to call many different parts of the U.S. home. Being affiliated with the entertainment industry, Anitha has had the rare honor of traveling and living in some very beautiful parts of the world but has always considered Colorado her home. Anitha developed a great passion for the arts and storytelling when she was very young and has always known in her heart that she wanted to one day create her very own children’s book. Well, she did that plus some. Anitha is now the proud author and illustrator of eight Gabby’May Digsby children’s books: four have been published and the other four are waiting to go to print. The books are available through online booksellers everywhere both nationally and internationally. Can we expect anything else? You better believe it – now Anitha is working on a cartoon series for Gabby’May Digsby and there is much more to come! Join us for a fun-filled afternoon with prize give-a-ways, a photo opportunity with the author, face painting and a grand prize drawing. Author will be selling copies of her book. www.gabbymaydigsby.com

April

Johari Ade
Wednesday, April 3, 6:30 p.m.
Blair-Caldwell African American Research Library

Johari Ade is a native of Denver. She graduated from Manual High School and attended University of Denver Law School. As a professional genealogist, Johari regularly conducts workshops and lectures. Her book, Ten Generations of Bondage: Eleven Generations of Faith, is a true story inspired by her own genealogy. Johari combines stories from her elders with information found in various records. The reader is taken on a captivating journey through slavery, emancipation, civil rights and gang violence. Ultimately, the author examines the contrasts between modern day racism and the election of President Barack Obama. Author will be selling copies of her book. www.tengenerationsofbondage.com

Pastor William T. Golson, Jr.
Monday, April 8, 6:30 p.m.
Blair-Caldwell African American Research Library

Pastor Golson is a native of Denver, Colorado. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Electronic Engineering Technology and was employed for more than 20 years in aerospace engineering. In March of 1988, in combination with his secular employment, he and his family planted True Light Baptist Church in the Montbello subdivision of Denver. Under his leadership, True Light has grown and is recognized as one of the most progressive churches throughout the city. His inspiring sermons are heard on the Sunday radio program Exalting Our Savior Through Love, and daily on the radio program The Enlightened Word. In 2007, he authored and published two books: On the Matter of Relationships, which addresses issues of single, marital, family, and gender relationships from a biblical perspective; and Adjusting Your Copy Quality, which wrestles with the believer’s position in Christ versus the daily practice of living. In 2009, he authored and published the book, Good Advice From A Player, which gives insight on King Solomon’s advice, “He who finds a wife finds a good thing, and obtains favor from the Lord” (Proverbs 18:22) to both single and married people. He is a graduate of Denver Seminary with a Masters of Divinity degree and he completed the coursework in pursuit of a Doctor of Ministry in Executive Leadership. He is married to Melvia with two adult children: Melody and William III, and three grandchildren. Pastor Golson’s ministerial philosophy is rooted in the acknowledgment of God’s power as expressed in the Pauline benediction of Ephesians 3:20, 21 (NKJV), “Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.” God has truly manifested his power in the life of Pastor Golson and in the body of believers that he is called to serve. Author will be selling copies of his book.

Rev. Dr. James D. Peters, Jr.
Monday, April 15, 6:30 p.m.
Blair-Caldwell African American Research Library

Reverend Peters is a native of Washington, D.C. and the pastor of New Hope Baptist Church in Denver. In his latest published work, When You Are in a Strait-Jacket, author Rev. Peters shares 16 sermons from the book of Job. This book traces Job through the many seasons of his situation and will help people realize that, while they may indeed have some extremely difficult times, they too can find some hope and solace with God, as Job did. Author will be selling copies of his book. jamespetersbook.com

Dominique Ashaheed
Wednesday, April 24, 6:30 p.m.
Blair-Caldwell African American Research Library

Dominique Ashaheed walks hard and carries a big vocabulary. Mother. Teacher. Writer. Unapologetically large. Dominique entered the world of slam in 2011 when she tried out and made it onto the Slam Nuba squad, which later went on to win the National Poetry Slam Competition in August 2011. Seven months later in March 2012, Dominique competed in the Women of the World Poetry Slam Championship and won. She is presently the only person to hold the team title and an individual title at the same time. Having performed with Saul Williams, Staceyann Chin, The Last Poets, Dead Prez and countless others, Dominique Ashaheed is proof that words indeed make worlds. www.dominiquechristina.com

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May

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June

Allison M. Cotton, Ph.D.
Monday, June 3, 6:30 p.m.
Blair-Caldwell African American Research Library

Dr. Cotton is an Associate Professor of Criminology at Metropolitan State University of Denver. A Colorado native, Dr. Cotton received a Bachelor's Degree in Sociology from the University of Colorado at Boulder in 1991, a Master's Degree in Sociology from Howard University in Washington, D.C. in 1995, and a Ph.D. in Sociology from the University of Colorado at Boulder in 2002. She has published several papers on criminal justice topics, including but not limited to the death penalty, eye-witness identifications, lethal behavior, and expert witnesses. Her first book, Effigy: Images of Capital Defendants was released in the summer of 2008 by Lexington Books, a division of Rowman & Littlefield Publishing Group. A second, co-authored book with Gregg Barak and Paul Leighton, Class, Race, Gender & Crime: The Social Realities of Justice in America (4th Edition), is also contracted to the Rowman & Littlefield Publishing Group. Dr. Cotton is a member of the Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences, the American Society of Criminology, and Coloradans for Alternatives to the Death Penalty. She is also a member of the Denver Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.