The mission of Black Ink: A Charleston African-American Book Festival is to support local Black writers, creating a space for them to share their work, discuss their craft, and expose readers of all ages to the great variety of African-American authors in the area.  This year’s event is scheduled for Saturday, September 8, 2018 at the Main Branch of the Charleston County Public Library, 68 Calhoun Street.

The 2017 festival featured more than 50 authors and drew more than 500 readers. Charleston Mayor John Tecklenburg has attended and endorsed both of the previous festivals. The keynote speakers have been Marcus Amaker, poet laureate of Charleston, and Kwame Alexander, who won the prestigious Newberry Award for 2015.