Signal Financial Kicks off Black History Month

Signal Financial is kicking off Black History Month with African American Read-In Celebration

This past Friday, February 1, 2019, Signal Financial opened its doors for the first ever Black Authors Breakfast Party at the City Center branch location in Washington, D.C. To kick off the start of Black History Month, black authors from the community read excerpts from their own books—some sang and others shared life experiences that motivated everyone in attendance. This year marked the 30th African American Read-In, which takes place every year all across the world to introduce and celebrate literacy and the works of black authors. This initiative has expanded to the entire month of February and now includes recognition of black poets, playwrights, composers, and storytellers.

Featured this year were DC-area literary giants, such as Eloise Greenfield and Marita Golden, along with Host and Children’s Author Caroline Brewer, Novelist Tracy Chiles McGhee, Simba Sana, bestselling author of Never Stop: A Memoir, Award-winning Poet Alan King, National Fiction Prize Winner Melanie Hatter, Children’s Chapter Book Author Sasha Ariel Alston, Singer-Storyteller and Intellectual Historian Karen Wilson-Ama’Echefu, Author Elizabeth White, Diana Veiga, DCPL Librarian and Short Story Writer, Children’s Author and Publisher Donnie Mustardseed, and Ramunda Young, Co-Founder of Mahogany Books in DC.

It was such an honor being surrounded by four generations of black authors from our community. Deepest thanks to all authors and presenters for participating and a special thanks to Signal Member and Author Caroline Brewer for hosting and organizing such an inspiring and impactful event.