Killeen Prepares to Host the Massive Afrikan American Book Fair This Month

Knowledge is power, and reading is fundamental. Because of that, celebrating Black History Month with the city of Killeen hosting an Afrikan-American Book Fair is truly something the community can be excited about.

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When Is The Event, and Where Is The Event?

On February 22, from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM, at the E Center located in downtown historic Killeen, authors, storytellers, and poets will be in attendance for this free Afrikan-American Book Fair. The city will have the opportunity to celebrate literature at its best and, most importantly, the rich culture of African Americans. Bernard Jones, also known as Babatunde, is the founder of this event. Many in the community know him as the owner of the first African-American bookstore, Under One Roof. Growing up, it was a household slogan for black people to understand that "To whom you give your money is to whom you give your power" —a lesson he consistently taught.

What Are Some of Babatunde's Accomplishments?

Recently, the city of Killeen honored this community activist by presenting him with the Star Award, which he most definitely deserved. This is the same individual who founded the city’s very first Afrikan-American Chamber of Commerce and published the Afrikan Post newspaper. When I heard that this respected mentor and community elder was hosting a book fair, I knew it was something the city could truly enjoy. To me, Babatunde has always been the perfect representation of leadership and integrity—a man who knows who he is and understands the value of knowledge. For him to share that wisdom with the city, we are truly in for a treat.