Florida Memorial University's Inaugural Festival Sparks Creative Connections

Florida Memorial University held its inaugural Heritage Book & Art Festival this past weekend, uniting authors, artists and educators with community members for the two-day literary and cultural celebration. The festival acted as a platform to underscore the natural power of storytelling and the importance of representation in literature and the arts. 

The March 14-15 affair, led by FMU’s Provost Dr. Jacqueline B. Hill and the School of Education & Social Sciences, transformed the university’s campus into an energetic hub for creativity, featuring a series of book signings, live performances, interactive workshops and artist exhibits. 

"The festival shows we care regarding encouraging artistic expression along with lifelong learning, so various people, in particular young people, can enjoy valuable literary experiences,” Hill stated. She also emphasized the importance of storytelling as a means for cultural and historic preservation, stating, "Books with art have the power for connecting generations, preserving the stories from our ancestors while inspiring future voices." 

Attendees are welcomed to the inaugural Heritage Book & Art Festival. 

(Carlos Tinoco for The Miami Times) 

Each day had a distinct focus, with day one of the festival catering to young readers. Children, especially 2nd and 3rd graders, took part in interactive literacy experiences, such as storytelling sessions and book-making activities. 

Saturday’s festivities expanded the celebration to the broader community, including a marketplace for independent authors and panel discussions on the future of storytelling, as well as live music performances that further added to the festival’s energy. Attendees had opportunities to network and discover new literature, in addition to supporting local artists and writers. The festival also encouraged discussions on literature's role in social justice, underscoring how stories can be a stimulus for change. 

Dr. Bernard Jennings, author of "Ethan’s Good Dad Act," at FMU’s Heritage Book & Art Festival, where he shared his personal journey toward equal parental rights. 

(Carlos Tinoco for The Miami Times) 

Among the festival’s speakers was Dr. Bernard Jennings, who shared the story behind his book “Ethan’s Good Dad Act.” Jennings' experiences as a father fighting for custody motivated him to advocate for legislative change in the state of Florida, particularly with the passage of the Good Dad Act last year. 

"This law concerns giving fathers a fair chance for involvement throughout their children’s lives,” Jennings said. He also founded the Good Dad Act Committee, working nationally to protect unmarried fathers’ rights. 

Jennings said that his experience within the legal system acted as a wake-up call toward the struggles many fathers face. 

"Frequently, fathers are excluded from custody disputes merely as a result of antiquated statutes. I desired to alter this specific narrative, not exclusively for myself, but for numerous fathers struggling to be involved as parents,” he said. 

Omilani Alarcón, an artist and entrepreneur, discusses her work with a festival attendee. 

(Carlos Tinoco for The Miami Times) 

Meanwhile, Omilani Alarcón, an AfroFilipina artist and an entrepreneur, presented her comic book “The Amazing Adventures of Latinegra,” which incorporates elements from Taino culture and indigenous storytelling. 

Alarcón stressed the need for representation in media, stating, "Children of multicultural backgrounds need to see themselves reflected in literature and art." 

She also spoke of the many difficulties faced by artists of color in the publishing industry, noting, "There is still a long way to go in terms of true representation, but events like this help bridge that gap." 

Omilani Alarcón presented her comic book "Latinegra," highlighting Afro-Latina identity in literature and art. 

(Carlos Tinoco for The Miami Times) 

George Moss, artist, business owner and founder of Gmoss Designs, also took part in the festival. His company specializes in illustration, fashion, and hosting creative events like Beyond Comic Con. 

"We encourage people to use their talents and uplift the community through creativity," Moss said. "When we create spaces for artists to thrive, we empower them to tell stories that might otherwise go unheard." 

Dr. Frederick L. Hunter, Jr., dean of FMU’s School of Education & Social Sciences, sits alongside his paintings, which became his form of self-expression during the pandemic. 

(Carlos Tinoco for The Miami Times) 

Dr. Frederick L. Hunter, Jr., for one, dean of FMU’s School of Education & Social Sciences, reflected upon his own unexpectedly artistic venture, which began during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

"I needed something to do throughout lockdown, and painting became like my form with self-expression," Hunter said. 

The Heritage Book & Art Festival allowed artistic and literary interactions while also strengthening FMU’s dedication to education and cultural improvement. Because of its success, Hill said, the festival will likely become a recurring event. 

"This is just the beginning,” she said. “We envision this festival growing each year, bringing more voices, more stories, and more inspiration to FMU and beyond."